Best Stroller Types for Infants Without a Car Seat

Good car-seat-free options for an infant include a stroller with a bassinet approved for newborn use, a stroller with a seat the manufacturer rates for use from birth, and a travel stroller with a newborn-ready recline or carrycot. The important distinction is the stroller’s stated minimum age and weight, not whether its seat looks deep or has a generous canopy.

A stroller bassinet offers a flat place for a young baby to lie during a walk, but you should confirm that the specific bassinet is approved for your stroller frame and follow its use limits. A newborn-ready stroller seat may be simpler when you want fewer pieces to carry, provided its recline, harness, and manufacturer instructions all allow use from birth.

If you often fold a stroller for a car trunk or public transit, compare folded size and the steps required to remove a bassinet; if you walk on uneven sidewalks, consider wheel size, suspension, and how easily you can steer with one hand. Before buying, practice the fold, adjust the handlebar if possible, and make sure you can lift the stroller comfortably without your baby in it.

For a newborn, use the stroller’s required recline position, fasten the harness as directed, and make sure your baby’s head is not slumped forward with their chin pressed to their chest. Our newborn stroller cushion and fit guide discusses positioning; our Baby Stroller & Car Seat Cushion with Head Protection for Newborns should not be used as a substitute for a stroller’s newborn approval or its manufacturer’s instructions.

Dress your baby for the weather rather than covering the stroller opening with a blanket, which can restrict airflow and make it harder to see them. Check on your baby regularly, and if they fall asleep in the stroller, move them to a firm, flat sleep surface as soon as practical rather than treating the stroller as their regular sleep space.