If you are looking to use the Thule Urban Glide 3 from birth, it is entirely possible — but not straight out of the box, and not for jogging. What you do with it in those first six months depends entirely on which accessory you choose, and the wrong choice costs you $200 you didn’t need to spend.
Buy the Newborn Inlay (~$60) at birth for daily walks. Upgrade to the Bassinet (~$200–$250) only if you’re spending serious time outside with a newborn — long walks, outdoor naps, cold weather. Skip both and use a car seat + adapter (~$40–$50) if you already own a compatible infant seat and mainly need a fast travel system.
| Setup | Best For | Price | Fully Flat? | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Newborn Inlay | Quick errands, budget-conscious parents, easy folding | ~$60 | Near-flat | Check Price |
| Thule Bassinet | Long walks, outdoor naps, cold/windy weather | ~$200–$250 | Yes (180°) | Check Price |
| Car Seat + Adapter | Short trips, seamless travel system | ~$40–$50 (adapter) | No (bucket seat) | Check Price |
⚠️ Safety Note: Positional asphyxiation is a real risk if a newborn’s head flops forward into a chin-to-chest position. Never place a newborn in the standard toddler seat before 6 months — use one of the three newborn options below. (AAP stroller safety guidelines)
This is true of virtually every jogging stroller on the market, not just the Thule. Thule solves it three ways.
Thule Bassinet Review (The Premium Option)
Thule Bassinet
Replaces the stroller seat entirely. Fully flat with a mattress, extendable canopy, and mesh-ventilated base. The closest thing to a pram setup on a jogging stroller.
| Price | ~$200–$250 |
| Age range | Birth until baby outgrows lie-flat (~4–6 months) |
| Lie-flat | Yes — fully flat with mattress (180°) |
| Weather protection | Extendable canopy with peekaboo window |
| Ventilation | Yes — mesh base |
| Jogging approved | No — walking only |
- Fully flat — best sleeping position for newborns
- Enclosed and cozy — better for cold/windy weather
- Extendable canopy blocks light effectively
- Mesh base keeps air circulating
- Expensive on top of an $800 stroller
- Only useful for ~4–6 months
- Stroller-specific — doesn’t transfer
- Adds storage bulk
What it does well: The enclosed design blocks wind and light far more effectively than the inlay. The fully flat sleeping position is the safest and most comfortable for young babies. If you’re taking long daily walks or want your newborn napping outside, the bassinet is meaningfully better.
What it doesn’t do: At ~$200 on top of an $800 stroller, it’s a significant extra spend for a 4–6 month window of use. For parents mostly doing quick errands, the $60 inlay covers everything they need.
Thule Newborn Inlay Review (The Budget Option)
Thule Newborn Inlay
A padded foam insert that clips into the existing stroller seat. Stays installed when folded. Machine washable. The cheapest way to use the Urban Glide 3 from day one.
| Price | ~$60 |
| Age range | Birth to ~6 months |
| Lie-flat | Near-flat (not 180°) |
| Weather protection | Existing canopy only |
| Machine washable | Yes |
| Compatible strollers | Urban Glide 2, 3, 4-Wheel, Thule Spring, Thule Shine |
| Jogging approved | No — walking only |
✓ Pros
- Cheapest newborn option by far
- Installs in under a minute — no tools required
- Stays installed when the stroller is folded
- Machine washable
- Works across multiple Thule stroller models
✗ Cons
- Near-flat, not fully flat — not ideal for long outdoor naps
- No extra weather or wind protection beyond the existing canopy
- Best suited for outings under an hour
What we noticed: The Newborn Inlay is the option most parents don’t know about — it sits between “buy nothing and wait 6 months” and “spend $200 on the bassinet.” For the first few weeks of quick neighborhood walks and short errands, it does exactly what you need. The fact that it stays installed when folded is a bigger deal than it sounds — with a newborn you’re opening and closing that stroller constantly, and not having to think about removing an insert removes one more friction point from an already chaotic period.
Honest Limitation: The Newborn Inlay creates a near-flat position, not a fully flat one. For outings under 45-60 minutes, that distinction doesn’t matter much. For long outdoor walks or babies who nap in the stroller regularly, the bassinet’s fully enclosed, fully flat setup is meaningfully better. The Inlay also offers zero additional weather protection — you’re relying entirely on the Urban Glide 3’s existing canopy, which is designed for a toddler, not a shielded newborn space.
Important: Like every other newborn option, the Inlay is approved for walking only. The 6-month jogging minimum still applies.
Best for: Budget-conscious parents doing shorter outings (under an hour) who want the cheapest possible way to walk with a newborn from day one. Also ideal as a backup for parents who primarily use a car seat adapter but want a lightweight fallback for quick local walks.
Thule Urban Glide 3 Car Seat Compatibility & Adapters
If you already own a compatible infant car seat, clicking it onto the Urban Glide 3 via the Thule adapter is the most convenient newborn solution — no extra product purchase beyond the adapter (~$40–$50).
| Adapter | Compatible Car Seats | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Thule Maxi-Cosi / Nuna / Cybex | Nuna PIPA, Nuna PIPA Aire RX, Nuna PIPA RX, Cybex Cloud G, Maxi-Cosi Mico, Maxi-Cosi Coral | View Car Seat Adapter |
| Thule Universal / Chicco | Chicco KeyFit 30, Chicco KeyFit 35, most universal-latch infant seats | View Car Seat Adapter |
For a full breakdown of which car seats work across every adapter, see our Nuna Pipa stroller compatibility guide.
What it does well: Speed and convenience. Click the car seat in, click it out, go. For parents running errands with a newborn, this is the fastest daily workflow — and the cheapest option if you already own a compatible seat.
What it doesn’t do: The car seat position is a reclined bucket — not lie-flat. Pediatricians recommend limiting car seat time outside of actual car travel, particularly for newborns under 4 weeks.
The One Rule That Applies to Every Option
No matter which newborn setup you use — inlay, bassinet, or car seat adapter — the Urban Glide 3 is walking only until your baby is 6 months old and can sit unassisted with strong head and neck control.
| Option | Walking from birth? | Jogging minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn Inlay | ✅ Yes | 6 months (remove inlay, use standard seat) |
| Bassinet | ✅ Yes | 6 months (remove bassinet, use standard seat) |
| Car seat + adapter | ✅ Yes | Never jog with car seat attached — 6 months for standard seat |
| Standard seat (no insert) | ❌ No | 6 months, once baby has head and neck control |
Which Newborn Setup Is Right for You?
Get the Newborn Inlay (~$60) if you want the cheapest way to walk from day one and your outings are mostly under an hour. It works, it stays installed when folded, and it avoids spending extra on top of an already expensive stroller.
Get the Bassinet (~$200–$250) if you plan to spend real time outside with a newborn — long daily walks, outdoor naps, cold or unpredictable weather. The fully enclosed flat space is meaningfully better for longer outings.
Use the car seat + adapter if you already own a compatible infant seat and mainly need a fast travel system for errands.
If you’re still deciding between the Urban Glide 3 and the BOB Alterrain Pro — which has an 8-month jogging minimum — see our comprehensive Thule Urban Glide 3 vs BOB Alterrain Pro review.
And if budget is the priority, our guide to the best trail strollers under $300 covers the Baby Jogger Summit X3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I jog with the Thule Newborn Inlay installed?
No. The Newborn Inlay is approved for walking only. The 6-month jogging minimum applies regardless of which newborn accessory you’re using. Once your baby is 6 months old with strong head and neck control, remove the inlay and use the standard seat.
What’s the difference between the Thule Newborn Inlay and the Thule Newborn Nest?
Both install directly into the main stroller seat — not the bassinet. The Newborn Inlay is a sleek padded foam insert that creates a near-flat surface with a soft headrest pillow. The Newborn Nest is a more premium alternative with a fully enclosed, cocoon-like design that adds extra warmth and wind protection — better for colder climates. You only need one or the other, not both.
Is the Thule Bassinet worth the extra cost?
It depends on how much time you’ll spend outside with a newborn. If you’re taking hour-long daily walks or want your newborn napping outside in all weather, yes. If you’re mostly doing quick errands, the $60 inlay covers what you need.
What infant car seats are compatible with the Thule Urban Glide 3?
The Urban Glide 3 works with the Nuna PIPA, Nuna PIPA Aire RX, Cybex Cloud G, and most Maxi-Cosi style seats via the Maxi-Cosi / Nuna / Cybex adapter. For Chicco seats including the KeyFit 30 and KeyFit 35, use the Thule Universal / Chicco adapter. See our full Nuna Pipa compatibility guide for the complete list.
At what age can a baby use the Thule Urban Glide 3 without any insert?
6 months, once your baby can sit upright unassisted with strong head and neck control. At that point the standard seat is safe for both walking and jogging.
Does the Thule Newborn Inlay fit the Urban Glide 2?
Yes — the Newborn Inlay is compatible with the Urban Glide 2, Urban Glide 3, Urban Glide 4-Wheel, Thule Spring, and Thule Shine strollers.