Preparing for Baby: Our Cosatto Woop Fjord + the importance of choosing the right travel system

Choosing a travel system can be a bit of a minefield; there are so many different types and models available to choose from nowadays, let alone styles, patterns and colours! With my boys I played it safe with a black travel system. Robust and practical, yes... but rather boring, I have to admit. This time around I wanted something fun and stylish, as well functional. This is my last baby, so I want something special. Something that will turn heads. And when you think of fun and colourful brands, Cosatto is the first to come to mind!

Having a lie-flat buggy or pushchair while babies are under six months old is really important, as they don't have an S shaped spine like adults. Instead their spines are curved in a long C shape when they are born, and later when they're able to sit and move around, their spines start to lengthen and change. Newborn babies need to lie flat in their prams or pushchairs for at least the first three months, so that their back is supported and protected, and also to help their breathing which can be compromised if they are scrunched up.

With my boys I used a separate carrycot attachment for my travel system so that they could lie flat, but they quickly outgrew it, so I had to use the seat unit and completely recline it. This time we have travel system from the fabulously stylish, British brand Cosatto. 

Cosatto's award-winning Woop is their streamlined 2-in-1 travel system suitable from birth to 15kgs, so lasts right into toddlerhood. Instead of a separate carrycot, the clever seat unit can be fully reclined and by simply unclipping a strap, adding in the headhugger, and attaching the cosytoes (which come with it) it turns into a snug, lie-flat cocoon, perfect for a newborn. It also has adapters to attach their carseat, making it a complete from-birth system for getting out and about.

I chose our Woop in Cosatto's beautiful Fjord pattern. I first saw this pattern when I was looking at prams and pushchairs at The Baby to Toddler Show in November. I fell in love with it immediately. It's part of the Understated Collection, created for people who love colour and patterns and love the ethos of the brand, but prefer something a little subtler. I also have the Cosatto Port car seat in the Fjord pattern and I will be showing you that soon. And you get a free changing bag with the travel system so even I can match too!

Jude and I took the travel system out for a spin the other day and had a good go at clipping and unclipping, switching the seat around and trying it out in it's various positions. It is so easy to do! The seat unit can be attached both parent-facing and world-facing and has four different recline settings. Of course, while my baby is little she'll stay facing us, even once she is old enough to sit up in her seat. Once she becomes a more curious and inquisitive toddler we can switch her to world-facing so she can take in everything around her.

As well as the convenience of only needing once seat unit, the other things I love about the Woop are its lightweight chassis. It can be collapsed with the seat unit attached, which is a huge plus over my last travel system, and the adjustable handlebar and removeable wheels means it can probably fit in the smallest of car boots. Boot space isn't usually an issue for me, as I have a Peugeot 5008, but with two boys and all their stuff, plus the shopping for example, being able to fit things in easily, quickly and neatly is a must!

I have always loved three-wheel systems; I find them so much easier to handle and they're great for nipping through busy crowds and are especially good for getting around small shops like we have in the town I live in. Even Jude found it easy to push! He can't wait to be a big brother, I'm sure he will want to help pushing the baby along. The basket underneath is a decent size, ideal for putting a few groceries when I have to pop to the shops or for the boys to put their things. And of course it comes with its own raincover; a must if you live in the UK!

I'll be updating you on how we get on with our Woop at various stages of use once the baby is here so do come back to see what we think - and make sure you're following me on Instagram as there will be a lot  of babyspam coming up in a few weeks, eek!

- The Cosatto Woop is £444.95 and during March you can get a free Hold car seat!

What travel system do you have and why did you choose it?

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With thanks to Cosatto for sending us the Woop travel system - what a lucky baby!