Pivot Modular Travel System

NICU based car seat tech here- - Evenflo Litemax, especially the models with the one piece body insert like [this one](https://www.evenflo.com/products/pivot-modular-car-seats-and-stroller-travel-systems) (not sure they sell this specific car seat on its own anymore, I can only find the exact one I prefer in travel system form). The insert design promotes excellent positioning without pushing babies’ heads forward. The hip harness and crotch buckle adjust to be absolutely tiny (this seat starts at 3lbs). Between the harness adjustments and the insert, the positioning for small babies is truly excellent. - Joie Mint Latch- this baseless car seat has rigid latch anchors that pop right out on the seat itself, which 1. Is a huge safety feature and 2. Makes this seat just as convenient as seats with bases - it’s just as fast to get in and out of the car as it is to pop my other car seat in and out of the base. The harness doesn’t adjust as small as the Litemax (almost nothing does) but the body insert is supportive and the harness fit for 5lbs is good. I see this seat often and sometimes I do have to remove the head insert because it can push some babies’ heads forward but overall quite pleased with it (I’ve been using it for my youngest for about a year now!) - Chicco Keyfit35/Keyfit Max (same product with updated limits and names to comply with new federal regulations about infant car seat weight limits). Fits small babies wonderfully, is very user friendly, minimal adjustments needed over the life of the seat (remove the body insert at 11lbs and click the headrest higher as baby grows but that’s it). There is a built in headrest and a removable cushioned head insert that sits on top of that- I usually remove the extra insert to avoid heads being pushed forward in a chin to chest position. - Graco- avoid the Snugride Lite models, they don’t fit *well* until 7-9lbs depending on baby’s build. This can be worked around by using a crotch roll but that’s a hassle, just avoid it. If you want a Graco seat, opt for one with a large headrest like [this one](https://www.gracobaby.com/shop/car-seats/infant-car-seats/snugride-snugfit-dlx-infant-car-seat/SAP_2156211.html). These models have an infant body insert that is actually supportive and useful (avoiding the issues with the Lite models) and they allow you to shorten the crotch buckle for an improved fit if needed. There are several “trim levels” with different names - the extra stuff like winter covers and one hand adjust handles and whatnot are irrelevant, you can pick a model with the right type of headrest that meets your price preferences and has whatever bonus accessories you like. - Clek Liing - pricy but *amazing* for preemies. If you want a bougie car seat then this is the one to get for a preemie (skip everything Uppababy, and most Nunas). The infant insert is unique in the US but a common style in Europe- the baby’s butt sits on a block shaped “shelf” to promote good body position and prevent slouching. I’ve known people to balk at this design because it looks odd for US consumers but MAN it’s effective! The base is also lots of fun - rigid latch and load leg are great every management features. One of my own 27 week twins came home from the NICU in a Liing on his due date. - Nuna Pipa Urbn: same category as the Joie Mint Latch, it’s a baseless seat that clicks directly into the vehicle latch anchors. The other Pipa models (the ones with bases) aren’t my favorite for tiny preemies but the Urbn is lovely because it has smaller harness adjustments and a more supportive insert setup than the other Pipa models. The head insert has two layers and I usually remove the top layer to prevent it from pushing little heads forward. My youngest used this one for a while too! Two major drawbacks: it’s only available as a travel system with a stroller so it’s expensive and you don’t have the full market of stroller options to choose from unless you want to spend *more* money. (I have the Triv model stroller with mine and it’s solid but I’m not a Nuna stroller fangirl in general. More often I used the Urbn with my Bugaboo Butterfly stroller with adaptors). Aaand it has a maximum weight limit of 22lbs (compared to 30-35lbs for the others on this list). Most babies outgrow a 30-35lb car seat by height way before they reach the weight limit, but 22lbs comes quickly especially for higher percentile babies. My 80th percentile youngest was too heavy for this seat by like 8 months old. - skip baby trend. For the love of NICU CPSTs everywhere, please don’t get a BabyTrend seat. 😂

Some of my favorites at different price points (as a NICU based CPST): - Evenflo LiteMax (specifically [this one](https://www.evenflo.com/products/pivot-modular-car-seats-and-stroller-travel-systems) because I prefer this insert style, though the standalone versions also offer an excellent fit). If you expect a preemie or a smaller newborn, Evenflo seats have adjustments to give a truly excellent harness fit- but even for average or large babies they’re great. - Chicco Keyfit 30 or Keyfit Max: very user friendly- the only adjustments you have to make over the life of the seat are removing the infant insert at 11lbs and adjusting the harness height. The bases are also very easy to install. Lots of stroller options from Chicco as well as high end stroller brands with adaptors. Among the more compact seats for front to back space. - Joie Mint Latch: what I used for my youngest baby, and one of my favorite seats I’ve ever used. It’s baseless and has rigid latch anchors that attach directly to the vehicle’s lower anchor points. This is both convenient and very safe - rigid latch is a great energy management feature in a crash and the install is practically foolproof (and the safest car seat is the one that is always used and installed properly!!). The only adjustments necessary are harness height and removing the infant insert. Without a base, it has a very small front to back footprint. - Graco: the NICU nurse in me strongly prefers the higher end ones (with [this style](https://www.gracobaby.com/shop/car-seats/infant-car-seats/snugride-snugfit-dlx-infant-car-seat/SAP_2120493.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ba_grco_DTCSearch_2024&utm_term=conversion&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Greco_US_2024_National_NB_Shopping_Pmax_Asset-Less&utm_term=_-_&utm_content=19593340556_-_&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19593345500&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqs-ClufmkgMVakxHAR2G8hsZEAQYASABEgJSC_D_BwE)of headrest) because the body insert gives an overall better fit for newborns. Realistically any of the Graco infant seats are user friendly and reliable and if you’re on a strict budget, the Snugride Lite seats are a good deal and are usually easier to use than other options in the same price range. - Clek Liing: another seat I used for my own kids. The base is amazing, with features like rigid latch and a load leg that extends to the vehicle floor to help absorb crash energy. The recline adjusts without uninstalling the base, which is fairly unique. The seat itself is sleek, very user friendly (like the Chicco seats and the Mint Latch, the only necessary adjustments are removing the infant insert and changing the harness height as baby grows), and in my opinion comfortable to carry. Lots of stroller compatibility with Nuna/Maxi Cosi adaptors. Also very compact front to back. - Nuna Pipa Urbn: another baseless seat with rigid latch, like the Mint Latch. It has all the same benefits as the Mint Latch, as well as a slightly better fit for newborns under 7-8ish pounds, if you expect that may matter for you. Its biggest drawback is the fact that it only comes as a travel system with Nuna strollers - it’s a huge bummer because I really liked using this seat with the Bugaboo Butterfly (better than the stroller it came with) but I also recognize that most people don’t have extraneous baby gear laying around like I do. - Nuna Pipa RX: this seat has similar base features as the Liing - rigid latch, load leg, adjustable recline without uninstalling the base. The biggest drawback imo is that it can be pretty upright at maximum recline if your vehicle seats are sloped steeply. Otherwise it’s a really user friendly seat with a pleasant user experience. And it also has a huge range of stroller availability. Alternatively, some seats I’d personally avoid: - Baby Trend. Any of them. More trouble than they’re worth, and anything by Graco/Chicco/Evenflo in the same price range will be easier to use. - Uppababy Mesa V2/V3: I really dislike the way newborns are positioned in this seat (admittedly more experience with the V2 than the v3) and do not find it to be a pleasant seat to use in general. If you must have Uppababy, go with the Aria V2; but if you have an Uppababy budget (or stroller), go with a Clek or Nuna seat. Chicco seats are also compatible with some Uppa strollers with the right adaptor.

Just fyi they are fairly flimsy and I was not comfortable using it past 6 months due to issues with it and fear of tipping. Just be careful. You can see my comment to see all the issues.

I regret our Evenflo travel system so avoid that. Honestly all Evenflo products. I’m on baby #2 and feel lost as well on what new system to pick.

The infant car seat attachment got stuck on the stroller part 3-4 times as well as getting stuck in the base in the car. It felt very flimsy as well. It starting squeaking a month or feel after using it which was not able to be fixed l. I was at the park and heard the same squeak and low and behold the same stroller was behind us. It claims to be able to be opened with one hand but would stuck in the closed position often so I would have to set the infant seat down to mess with it. Overall it was a cheap travel system and we got what we paid for. I saw other people saying the same thing on I think Mommit so I clearly didn’t do enough research at the time. I was pregnant and overwhelmed but now I need to find a better travel system for two. https://a.co/d/2WaN2I3 this is the stroller we have.

We got the Evenflo pivot!

I didn’t pick my travel system I had one on my registry but my dad being the ever cautious grandpa did research and bought a different one… which actually does more then the one I had picked out and cost about the same…. So we have the evnflo pivot system which the stroller can be used from infant up to toddler… with the car seat and has like a bassinet and that turns into a toddler sit up seat which I thought was great because that means I don’t have to buy one when they outgrow their infant car seat!

You got this! Wishing you a safe delivery. 🤗 Anecdotally, we had the Evenflo Pivot travel system for infant seat. I liked it. Now we use the Graco Turn2Me and Graco SlimFit. Both great car seats with easy install. The Turn2Me is the BEST!

I love the evenflo pivot which is in a cheaper price range than the 2 you mentioned. It has the infant car seat which can snap into the stroller and a bassinet which turns into a toddler seat for the stroller. Super easy to use and lightweight! Looks pretty too.

I paid $180 for the evenflo Pivot modular travel system. Came with a car seat and stroller. I really like it!