Baby and taxi

[Dolph]

My husband and i are expecting our first baby in about 3 months' time and were wondering how others here deal with transport in Singapore. We won't have a car and will therefore use taxis and public transport a lot, but we're a bit concerned about the safety. Will we have to and can we use our own baby seat in taxis? I have seen people just holding their baby on their lap, but as far as I know it is in fact illegal and also extremely unsafe. Any input would be very much appreciated. Cheers!

[sourisso]

indeed i wouldnt advice you to take your baby in a cab on your laps, i dunno if its illegal, but legal or not, its something you won't do if you care at least a bit about the baby...

bringing your own baby seat, why not, but it might not be really convenient to walk around holding a baby seat all day.

[Matney]

My children are teens now, but what I would do would put baby into one of those carry packs that holds the child right next to my chest. Then put on my seat belt as normal around the child. Looked weird, but better than holding the child and no car seat required.

[Dolph]

Could that not crush the baby in the event of an accident?

[Matney]

Definitely not as safe as the child being in his own seat.

[ffsgrelier]

hi
have a 3 months old little princess and have been using her car seat in taxis since leaving the hospital . Have only had one bad experience when driver started taking off before i had finished strapping her in properly so now fix her seat first then go in myself. Most taxi drivers are very helpful and kind, 2 actually came out spontaneously of their seat lately to help me carry the seat out as she is fairly heavy in it now. I am a conservative type of paren though and would not take the chance of having no car seat despite the hastle it is.Safety is paramount. It is probably easier to think in terms of light and easy folding pushchair and buses or mrt if you do not get a car . i have given up and we now have a car but it is more to do with us having now 3 kids and many school runs.
Good luck

[micknlea]

Matney that is not a good idea! As Dolph said, it will indeed crush the child, even in a small accident, as the force of your body pushing against the seat belt which is doing its job but pulling the other way, will crush the child inbetween the seat belt and you. I thought you would be aware of this. It is one of the main reasons that you are not allowed to put seat belt on a plane around you and your child, and why they give you one of those "extra bits".

Good idea for new borns is one of those prams that is inclusive of car seat etc...I am sure the other new mums around have some ideas. I am a bit out of touch with the latest as well.

[Singapore Newbie]

You want to get a pram that you can use with a convertible car seat. This means that while the baby is under 12 months, you will not use the seat the pram came with, but you can instead use a seat like the Maxi Cosi Cabrio. If you go to a shop like Mothers' Work at Great World City, they can show you. This makes it easy to take the baby in the taxi because he/she will already be sitting in a car seat straight off the pram.

The problem will be when your child reaches 1 year (or sooner if the baby is big). The Maxi Cosi will be too small and then you'll have no way of walking around with a car seat. You'll either have to get a car with a proper car seat (as we finally did) or you can get a harness like what is featured on www.joeysafe.com.

Good luck!

[ffsgrelier]

hi
i don't think you could fit a 1 year old ino a maxi cosy car seat. It is down to the weight of the child not the age and in my experience, it seldomly goes beyond 9 months (already if you are lucky not to have big strappy kids).

[jochick]

The problem will be when your child reaches 1 year (or sooner if the baby is big). The Maxi Cosi will be too small and then you'll have no way of walking around with a car seat. You'll either have to get a car with a proper car seat (as we finally did) or you can get a harness like what is featured on www.joeysafe.com.

Good luck!

Hi,

I would be interested in this harness as I have a 14mth old who currently has to sit on my lap if we take a taxi. We have a car, but my husband takes it to work so it is not always available. I try to use buses where possible, but I have two other young children so sometimes it's just not practical to try and find the right bus.

Do you have any more info on the harness? i tried to follow the link, but couldn't get it to work!

[Dolph]

Well we have now decided on adding a Maxi Cosi seat to our Bugaboo Cameleon. I managed to find a used seat at a reasonable price. I know, I know, it's usually a no-no, but this one is in really good condition and has never been in any accidents. It should sort us out for the first 9 months anyway. After that... who knows! All we know is that we don't want a car.

[Cicilia]

My baby is 7 months old now, been travelling mostly by bus and MRT all the time, I use the Baby Bjorn carrier, in the bus and taxis, stoller in MRT now that she can sit properly.

I find some bus driver drives thinking they are F1 driver.
Hold on tight, but so far I haven't encounter any dilemma, touch wood!
But I find taxi driver will be considerate that u have a bb in tow, and drives reasonably.

The thing about public transport and think abt worst case scenario of travelling by yourself with the baby without hubby help, u need to travel light.

Those stroller with car seat attach are too heavy to lift by yourself along with baby and nappy bag. Furthermore it might not fit the entry to the bus or MRT.