The Travel System is for Dads, not Moms

First, what is a travel system?  A travel system is the combo package of infant car seat/carrier, infant car seat base, and compatible foldable stroller. 

So you're thinking that will be great for my wife to transport the baby.  Well, big guy, surprise, it's really meant for you.  When her OB/GYN releases the mother from the hospital, she's advised not to lift anything heavier than the baby for at least 6 weeks.  Clark was a big baby at 8 lb -  4 oz.  The average weight of an American newborn baby is 7.5 lbs.   I just weighed my infant carrier/car seat, it weighs about 8 lbs, the same as a gallon of water, a half pound more than the average baby or a quarter pound (4 oz.) less than Clark.  So, your baby + the baby carrier together are twice the weight new moms are supposed to carry.  So, guess who's going to be carrying the baby around in the carrier.  That's right, you, fellas.

The stroller isn't much better.  I haven't weighed the stroller, but I'm guessing it weighs around 10lbs+.  So, who is going to lift the stroller in and out of the car?  Not the new momma.  The strollers are foldable, but can still take up quite a bit of trunk space.  Even the best of the bunch can be a little tricky to open and fold-up.  So not a lot of new moms are up to the challenge.  So dads, you're it.  Consider it part of your fatherly duties.

Therefore, pick a travel system that you like, because you'll be the one using it, especially for the first month or two.  It's a dad accessory, feel from to as John Witherspoon would say, "CORWD-NATE" the travel system to dad's stuff.

         - Clark's Dad