Carseat for 10 month old. Where to put if you're out of taxi

[natalyakir]

Hi. If you're going somewhere alone with ur baby and your pram, would you need a car seat if you use cab ocasionally and don't have a car. Car seat is a must for some expats but still I haven't bought it and using a cab (twice a month maybe) with my 10 m o baby I held it close to me and I strap myself. So the question is, if using a vertical car seat then where do u put it if it doesn't fit ur stroller? In this case the only way not to use car seat?

[durain]

is car seat a must for some expats? most local dont use a car seat on the taxi, or i havent seen it yet!

for a 10 months old baby, you will need a rear facing carseat. have a look at quinny zap/buzz pushchair and maxi cosy cabrio carseat. with the quinny, you can remove the normal seat and the maxi cosi cabrio carseat will click into the pushchair frame. the maxi cosi cabrio works on the bugaboo too.

it's not easy juggling with shopping bags, baby bags, pushchair and a baby in arm to get on a taxi, but after a few times, you will know the drill.

[natalyakir]

ok, how do u attach a car seat in a cab with baby in it?

[durain]

the carseat will have anchor points where you put the seat belt round it.

have a look at maxicosi website which has a video instructions on how to belt it up. http://www.maxicosi.com/maxicosi/produc ... .aspx?id=6

[natalyakir]

Ok, how about a bus? Is it safe to travel with baby in a bus or you recommend to get into bus with pram and car seat?

[durain]

Ok, how about a bus? Is it safe to travel with baby in a bus or you recommend to get into bus with pram and car seat?

i find the bus easier than taxi in terms of getting the baby in. with the bus, you just carry the whole pushchair in (if the in quinny example, the maxi cosi cabrio will be click into the quinny pushchair frame). slightly difficult on bus that has the handle bar right in the middle of the doors, but still possible.

on the taxi, you will have to unclick the maxi cosi cabrio, put it in the taxi seat, belt it up securely, then collapse your pushchair frame, put it in the boot (or inside the taxi) and get yourself in. some taxi driver will be fuming as they have to wait for you.

you might want to look into those special rucksack to carry your baby behind. i find them very good as you can walk in crowded area easily. no way you can do it with a pushchair.

as with any transportation, secure your baby during travelling, either on a carseat, pushchair or when you are holding your baby.

[ameise]

I have been looking into the same problem for when we arrive -apparently the Maxi-Cosi will go onto most pram frames with an adaptor but it is only for the first year (I think up to 13kg) which might be too short term for you. There are also other brands, but they are also for the first year - ABC Design and Peg-Pérego are two I have seen here in Germany.

There are other threads here where people talk about using the baby bjorn in taxis, but when you come from a country where car seats are compulsery it seems worrisome not to use one.

Good luck finding a solution for your bub!

[Blue Sapphire]

I found the best option was using a baby carrier like the baby bjorn since you can have the baby facing forward. Then place the seatbelt over both of you.

Trust me, you wouldnt want to carry a carseat around. Its bulky and heavy. Especially if you are taking a taxi/bus on your own. Not to mention diaper bag and shopping.

[chocvod]

hallo!! definitely secure your baby in a rear facing car seat - no reason is good enough not to do so. A baby bjorn doesnt work in a collision and only gives you a false sense of security. What we use in the US is a car seat that converts into a stroller - wheels are hiden under the carseat and snaps out when you need to use it as a stroller - not sure if they sell it in singapore. I use it when travelling as I dont want to bring both a car seat and a stroller. If not, as recommended, a car seat that snaps onto a stroller - like the graco/cosi is a good alternative. Most cab drivers will complain but who cares! just give them a tip or something.

[Blue Sapphire]

If you can find the above mentioned stoller that is also a carseat by all means use that. I've seen it and its pretty cool. But so far I've only seen one expat that has it and she brought hers in with her. Dont see them around here and dont see anywhere here selling it.

The maxi cosi car seat that looks like a basket will only fit less than a yr old baby, also depending on size. You could look for special body vest/belts for toddlers. I'm not sure where they sell them here though.

But your baby is already 11 mtns by now?

[here_i_am]

totally agree with the carseat. its a must especially with your toddler being in a very curious stage. a baby carrier will not protect him from whiplash or bumps. as well, using a seat belt with him on your lap can actually hurt his tummy when the taxi brakes suddenly as the strap will suddenly tighten up with brakes. you will also want to see this as a habit forming exercise for your son. i have seen kids 5 years old already that still frollic about in cars unrestrained. kids used to the car seat accept seatbelts as a natural step for car rides. ultimately, this was my personal objective because there was no way i could guarantee that i would be able to check my kids putting on a belt forever, i.e. school buses or travelling with others.

there are several options for this such as travel systems or carseats with wheels (like sharon stone?)... these are all hefty investments so my advise will be to try renting them for a week or two before making the choice. there are several rental clubs in singapore but the only one i can think of at the moment is the toyrentalclub. just try googling a bit.[/b]