Republished & Updated July 2022. After using several of these items for a while now (bought at full price), we wanted to share honest assessments below! We’ve done tons of research on baby gear over the past 4 years, so hope this post saves fellow parents some time and headaches!
1. Stokke High Chair Bundle
We chose this high chair because: 1) it came highly recommended by several child feeding specialists as an ergonomic high chair for proper posture while eating, 2) it grows with your child and adults can even use it afterward, and 3) it’s solid quality and looks nice and minimalist. We started using ours ~ 8 months for Nori (see my post on introducing solids) and 6 months for Rio. Several readers have shared that they used this high chair for 10+ years!
We’ve lowered the foot rest several times now as the kids grow, and the entire chair has been easy to clean. I wipe the wood and cushion off with a damp cloth (I only machine wash the cushion every few weeks), and we put a bib on over the seat belt straps. Just make sure you are familiar enough and able to get baby swiftly out of the chair (bib, straps, and all) in the event of emergencies. If the tray gets stained by food, we leave it outside for an afternoon under hot direct sun after washing it and it gets “sun-bleached” clean.
Second time around I made sure to get the seat cushion (included with the baby bundle set) which helped Rio use this chair starting at a younger age more comfortably.
Stokke Tripp Trapp (save $100)
The sale bundle comes with the original wooden seat, plastic baby seat attached in a select sale color.
Full price colors in the bundle with the babyset + tray can be found on Amazon. Note that the chair, baby seat, and tray can also be found separately.
2. Nuna Infant Car Seats
When I was pregnant with my first, I wanted to find the lightest weight infant car seat on the market that didn’t sacrifice any safety points. Nuna stood out with excellent features for both safety ratings, practicality (loove the dream / sky drape) and baby’s comfort. As an added bonus for us, Nuna infant car seats are compatible with most major non-Nuna stroller brands including UPPAbaby and Babyzen using adapters sold separately.
Their many car seat options can be confusing, but the Nuna Pipa RX with newer RELX base included in the Anniversary Sale this year is one of their most updated and best models / best Nuna value out there!
Key Differences Between Nuna’s Infant Car Seats
Nuna Pipa
8 lbs
standard base
can use in a car without base
sky drape
Nuna Pipa RX
7.5 lbs
new relx base
can use in a car without base
sky drape
Nuna Pipa Lite
5.3 lbs
standard base
canNOT use in a car without base
NO sky drape
Nuna Pipa Lite RX
6.9 lbs
new relx base
can use in a car without base
sky drape
Infant Car Seat 101 – What is a Base?
Like most infant car seats around this price point, Nuna ones have 2 pieces – 1) the seat itself that baby sits in and 2) a base that gets installed and you leave in your car. The base makes it quick and easy to pop the car seat in and out of your vehicle securely, all while keeping baby buckled in (and hopefully napping!) the whole time. See two photos down for a picture of the car seat next to its base.
What’s the difference between the Nuna Pipa “regular” & Pipa Lite/Lite RX?
The original Pipa Lite is the lightest weight car seat on the market. The original Pipa Lite CANNOT be used in a car or airplane without the base (which is heavy, and sonmething most people do not want to lug around). The original Pipa Lite also does not have Nuna’s signature sky drape, a magnetic sunshade that unzips from the canopy. This feature was amazing to shade our baby during naps, car rides, or sleepy stroller walks.
However, in 2021 Nuna came out with the newest Pipa Lite RX, which is now their lightest weight option without sacrificing either of these features. It *can* be used in a car without the heavy base and has the sky drape. But it’s also their priciest option, so we think the Pipa RX is the best value and weights just a little bit more.
What about the “regular” Pipa vs. Pipa RX?
The Pipa RX is the newer version of the standard Pipa. It’s gotten a few small upgrades like buckle clips and being a half pound lighter. The biggest difference is it comes with the new Relx base that has an adjustable recline angle and is easier to install more securely, especially in the middle seats of a car and also in BMW 3 series cars (which was apparently problematic using the original base!). The new Relx base is compatible with any car seat in the Nuna Pipa / Pipa Lite family.
If we were buying our infant car seat now instead of 2 years ago, out of all the options we would opt for the latest Nuna Pipa RX.
Nuna Pipa RX (on sale)
This photo isn’t of the RX, but for new parents, I just wanted to show what a carseat base looks like. Many parents who use multiple cars regularly (or grandparents’ cars) will get an additional base for the other car, so the carseat snaps on and off quickly and easily and you don’t have to thread the seat belt through each time.
3. After They Outgrow the Infant Car Seat…
As the next stage car seat after our Nuna Pipa, the Nuna Rava (also sold at PBK) was on our shortlist after it was by FAR the top recommendation when I polled mamas online.
The Rava, and most convertible car seats, *can* actually be used from birth, but for us personally it didn’t make sense to do so. We wanted the portability and ease of a smaller infant car seat during those first 12+ months. Being able to buckle up our infant outside of the car, then pop the car seat on & off a stroller or car seat base saved a lot of frustration vs. being hunched over in a parking lot or narrow Boston street trying to adjust straps on an infant. If these are not concerns for your lifestyle, then this one car seat could technically suit your child for the first several years since birth.
FYI: most convertible and toddler car seats (like the Rava) are 1 large piece, and do not have separate base + seat pieces like infant car seats (like the Pipa). They are not meant to be taken in and out of your car with each use.
Nuna Rava (on sale)
If you’ve been considering this convertible car seat, this is a tried & true parent favorite product at a good discount, and one that will be used almost daily.
Last year, we tested a few convertible car seats inside our car before deciding on one. The Rava stands out as known for being safe, comfortable, durable, and luxurious feeling, as well as relatively easy to install once you get the hang of it. We have zero complaints so far, and Nori actually looks forward to car rides in it! We also got a second one for Rio to use.
The second-most recommended convertible carseat by readers was the narrower Diono Radian series, as it’s one of few brands that you can fit 3 across in a back seat! This seat happens to be during the Anniversary Sale this year as well.
4. Two parent-favorite strollers on sale
The 2020 versions of two noteworthy and very popular strollers are part of the Anniversary sale – one single seater stroller, and one that converts from single to double seater.
This post has gotten very long, so I will share more about both of these strollers and this years newest features in an upcoming post, along with photos next to my 5′ frame for size reference!
Single-converts-to-double seater stroller:
UPPAbaby Vista
If you have twins or plan on having 2 kids closer in age, the Vista is VERY popular as a stroller that converts from single seater to double (with multiple configurations!) and the option for a third on the ride-along board, sold separately.
Single seater stroller:
Nuna Mixx Next
If you want to cross off all your baby transportation needs during the NSale, the Mixx Next plus a Nuna car seat is a solid way to go – you’ll have a safe & practical combo that’s compatible right out of the box. The latest version of the MIXX folds up a little smaller than before, and it comes with the ring adapter, making it very easy to pop your Nuna infant car seat on and off the stroller.
If you own any of the above gear, feel free to share your thoughts and likes / dislikes!
Are you in touch with Mikey Chen?
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Good luck
Hi Jean – thank you so much! This is very informative. I’m expecting my first child (due date around January 2022) so everything is overwhelming! I do have a question, is the Nuna MIXXTM Next only includes the troller? If I decide to purchase the Nuna MIXXTM Next, does that mean I will also have to purchase the Nuna car seat, or would I be all set would just the Nuna MIXXTM Next? The item description is not very clear (either that or I’m just not understanding all the terminologies). Thank you so much Jean!!
Hey Jean! Appreciate this post so much. I’m currently looking at the Vista and Pipa RX car seat for my newborn. Did you leave the Pipa car seat in the car every time you were out or remove the Vista’s seat attachment and attached the Pops to the stroller instead? I’m having some trouble figuring out how to be practical with these two products! Appreciate your feedback.
Hi Andrea! Until your baby is big enough to use the vista seat attachment regularly (around 6 months or older) you don’t need to keep the seat attachment on! So we just had the Pipa seat converter ring on the Uppababy stroller and popped the car seat on easily each time. Hope this helps!
Hi Jean, thank you so much for this post, it helps me a lot in making a decision. I am a first time mom, due in November. I think we will go with Nuna Pipa RX and also Rava (buy now for later given the Nsale). But for stroller, would you recommend Uppababy Cruz, or Nuna Mixx Next 2020? And what are the key differences between these two in your opinion? Thank you!
Hi Vickie, I’d highly recommend you testing out both strollers in person if possible! The uppababy cruz has changed since I bought mine so when testing strollers, just try to fold/unfold, lift up the folded stroller to see how it feels to you, and also push the stroller of course with car seat on it and/or seat if possible. The nuna mixx next 2020 folds up a little shorter (but thicker) than the newest uppababy cruz and also folds shut with the seat facing either front or back which is convenient for some ppl! The Uppababy child seat is more structured, while the Nuna is a little less so however it has better ventilation options for hot days. Nuna is also compatible with the nuna carseat right out of the package since it comes with the ring adapter, uppbaby you need to buy the ring for about $50 just FYI.
How does the Nordstrom exclusive Threaded fabric differ from the regular Nuna fabric? Is it a different type of material or the same? Do you know if the Threaded Pipa Lite LX is a merino wool tensile blend like the regular Pipa Lite LX? Do you think a Threaded stroller would match a Granite Pipa Lite lx? They look very similar in color. Thank you!
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Hi Tara, I’m not sure about the pipa lite lx wool tensile blend, but I did get to see the Threaded stroller close up and it would definitely work with a Granite Pipa. Granite is probably the closest shade to Threaded – I looked at the two together in person and it’s just a shade of grey off and it works fine IMO!
Hi Jean,
Thanks so much for this informative post! I’m due in a few weeks and I was wondering if the Nuna Rava car seat usually goes on Nordstrom’s sale during this time of the year? I’m wondering if I can wait a year and then purchase the Rava or if I should buy it now… Thanks!
Hi Ann, congrats!! Personally I would wait until next year because I have seen it included in the Nsale for two years now and they might make improvements down the road! But then again, I also poorly timed my own purchase haha and ended up paying full price when I needed the R ava …I guess it’s just a slight gamble on whether it’ll be back on sale next year and how soon your baby will outgrow the infant car seat!
Jean. That TV! The coolest!
Hi Jean! Congrats on baby #2 and thank you for posting about this sale!! I’m a FTM expecting in November and was planning on purchasing the Nuna Pipa car seat. If it comes with the dream drape, do you still recommend getting a separate baby car seat cover canopy?
Hi! Our family uses the Nuna Pipa and we never bought a canopy – the dream drape kept our baby napping in many noisy restaurants/malls (pre-covid days) and even helped keep her dry when we took a walk and it unexpectedly started drizzling.
Hi Marie! I used my multipurpose stretch cover for nursing, shopping cart, and as a car seat canopy which was still useful as an alternative to the dream drape when it was cold out or if I wanted it to be extra dark.
Hi Jean, I’ve been waiting for this post all week – thank you! At what age did Nori start using the Nuna Rava? I know the infant car seat usually fits up to a certain weight and height limit, but do you usually transition them out of the infant car seat earlier or use it until they can’t fit?
Hi Joyce! She started using her convertible car seat around 15 months when she was getting too tall for her infant one. Babies almost always exceed the height limit of the infant car seat before they hit the weight limit.
Hey Jean, congrats on the baby #2!! Thank you for the post this is super helpful! I’m due in early 2021, because of your post I finally made up my mind on the Nuna Rx! But I can’t decide on a stroller I’m in between Nuna Demi grow and Uppababy Vista. I leaning toward the Vista but my only complaint is the different weight for each seat. :/ Since you have a baby #2 on the way are you going to change a stroller or get the Vista?
Thanks, Kelly and congrats to you too! We are going to try to make do with our existing setup for the time being. One thing to consider with the Vista – the weight difference might not be as much of a concern since baby #1 could likely be walking or on the ridealong board by the time baby #2 exceeds the limit of the smaller seat.
I was thinking of getting one of the Nuna car seats and the Vista stroller (because it has the bassinet which seems nice to have in the beginning). But do you think it’s important to get the matching Nuna stroller for compatibility? Is it common to use the car seat with a stroller often? I envisioned putting the stroller in the car and moving the baby to the stroller out of the car seat.. but also FTM so not sure!
Hi Jessica – congrats! A couple thoughts on your questions …
– We used the Nuna car seat with an UPPAbaby stroller and just bought the ring converter (~$50) for the car seat. It was very easy to use on top of the uppababy and we used it very often.
– If you can go to a store and try folding up strollers and lifting them up and down at a height similar to your car trunk, I think that will be helpful. The Vista has a durable larger frame (since it can convert to two seats) so is fairly weighty, at least for me!
– Also check out my older post here with some thoughts on the bassinet and UPPAbaby cruz vs Vista, but note, ours is an older model V1 and the newer cruz V2 is heavier, closer to the vista. https://www.extrapetite.com/2018/09/olive-fit-flare-dress-uppababy-cruz-stroller.html
Hi Jessica!
Wanted to share my experience as FTM! I had the Cruz and Pipa carseat + adapter and loved it. When I didn’t want to use carseat, I used the UB snugseat insert instead of the bassinet, which worked great. I sold the Cruz for the Vista because of a phenomenal sale BBB was having. As much as I loved wheeling it around, I absolutely hated lugging that stroller to places. I’m petite like Jean and the amount of effort it takes to pick up the Vista and put it in my trunk was annoying. I actually have now sold my Vista and in the market for something lighter. Unless you’re planning to have two kids close together in age, I don’t recommend the Vista for petites!
Hi Jean, Was your car a factor in deciding what car seat to use? We have a Forrester and I think if we did 2 Ravas in the back it would be very, very tight. We are thinking of getting a 3 row vehicle. Was that a consideration for you, too?
Hi Sarah, yes it played a factor (not the primary factors) but I recall one of the convertible seats we tried didnt even fit at all! We do need a bigger vehicle as well down the road, for sure
I’m not due until early 2021. Is the NSale better than waiting for potential Black Friday deals?
Hi Trey, congrats! You never know given the current climate what deals there will be later this year, but I think if you’re due next year you can wait and take the time to research & test out various brands and models! I think the NSale is good for those who have already been leaning towards specific larger ticket gear items that are included.
Hi Jean,
Super helpful post! When you take cabs/Ubers in boston, do you bring the Rava with you?
Hi Ruby – the Rava is 27lbs ish so we keep it in our car at all times. For travel or Ubers we use the Scenera discussed above, which is under 10lbs.
Sorry I have a correction on my comment: Hi! Thank you for this post! What are your thoughts on the Nuna EXEC versus the Nuna RAVA?
Hi Julie! Rather than an “all-in-one” car seat, we personally opted to get the Rava and then a booster down the road when it’s needed. From talking with our friends who used the Rava they get more compact boosters once their toddlers outgrew it. The EXEC is pretty large (without major removable pieces) throughout the entire prolonged usage period it’s designed for, and our vehicle doesn’t have a ton of space.
Hi! Thank you for this post! What are your thoughts on the Nuna EEX versus the Nuna RAVA?
This is very helpful and timely as my husband and I are looking into the Nuna infant seat and Nina Mixx stroller for our first child! Thanks so much for this post
Hi Jean! Thank you for this post. I’m due in October and got the Nuna Pipa RX in Granite. If you saw the Nuna Mixx Next in store in the Threaded collection color, do you think the Granite Pipa RX will match that stroller? The entire stroller looks greyish online compared to Caviar. I’m being that mom (lol). Just wondering if I should pay for Caviar or save money and go with the Threaded look. Thank you!
Hi Aimee, congrats! I did see the Mixx Next in person in Threaded and think Granite is the closest to the Threaded color so it should still look nice with the Mixx stroller in the NSale. Also, most of the stroller fabric is on the seat, so when you have the car seat on there instead, there isn’t as much “clash” as you might think.
My child’s pediatrician’s office recommended using the Car Seat Lady website to find the best recommendations for an infant/child car seat. The website is run by a mother-daughter team who are both health care providers and spend a significant amount of time and research comparing car seats. While the Nuna Pipa is one of their highest-recommended infant car seats, they do not recommend Pipa Lite b/c of the lack of a base. I thought it was worth mentioning as the car-seat shopping experience can be so overwhelming esp for first-time parents, and Car Seat Lady is a great/helpful resource.