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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want someone to design a pram frame for larger car seats?

50 replies

bubblesinthesky · 03/05/2013 09:45

DS has just grown out of his travel system.

I do not drive (for medical reasons) so use a lot of taxis. While we had the travel system that was fine. I could simply click the car seat into the frame and get on with my day.

Now I have to bring the pram with a seat on it and then bring the car seat with me too. Easier said than done.

No where can I find a system designed to take a larger car seat. If I ask people look at me as if I'm mad. One shop assistant even told me to leave the car seat in the car - not so simple when you dont have one.

I know that I'm probably one of a significant minority who does not drive but does use a lot of taxis but I can not be the only one. AIBU?

OP posts:
thistlelicker · 03/05/2013 09:47

Why do u need to have car seat too? Taxi are exempt from car seat law just case u was t aware?

Katienana · 03/05/2013 09:47

Yanbu, I can see how that would come in handy in your situation. Could you get a black b cab and keep baby strapped into pram?

freddiemisagreatshag · 03/05/2013 09:48

Book a taxi that has car seats available? I know some firms do.

BrianButterfield · 03/05/2013 09:49

I wish this existed too! I commute by train with ds and have a mile walk to nursery - it's fine but on rainy or snowy days some colleagues have passed me and wanted to offer a lift but couldn't because of the car seat thing. It would be handy if in a pinch you could use the pushchair seat in a car.

HorryIsUpduffed · 03/05/2013 09:51

I sympathise with your predicament but car seats are not designed for long periods. They are optimised for saving life and limb in an accident. IMHO it would be irresponsible of manufacturers to encourage further the use of systems that keep children in car seats for hours on end, rather than carrycots, prams, buggy seats, etc (or slings or arms).

If you use taxis so often, could you get the taxi firm to look after the carseat while you are out? And are buses/trains/trams/tubes out of the question?

gordyslovesheep · 03/05/2013 09:53

I get your point but I really hate seeing car seats used for long periods rather than a buggy or pram - it must be uncomfortable

There should be a safe, portable option - can you not put a seat under the pram? I imagine it would be too big

freddiemisagreatshag · 03/05/2013 09:55

What about something like this

freddiemisagreatshag · 03/05/2013 09:58

or this

DeWe · 03/05/2013 10:00

Someone I knew had a second stage (forward facing) car seat that had a handle to pull up at the back, and wheels that popped out so you could push it.
It was about 10 years ago, so don't know if they still do them.

freddiemisagreatshag · 03/05/2013 10:01

or this but appears to be US not UK

Lilicat1013 · 03/05/2013 10:59

Trunki do a car seat that can be worn as a backpack, it is for children aged four and up though so not helpful right now but maybe for the future.

I don't think there is any good option between the infant capsule seats and the high back booster seat designed for older children that is easily portable. I have looked in to it myself.

MortifiedAdams · 03/05/2013 11:02

thistle they may be exempt from law but they arent exempt from accidents.

Lilicat1013 · 03/05/2013 11:03

By the way, the link Freddie gave directly above my post for a wheeled board and handle allowing you to pull the car seat can be purchased from Amazon.com and they will sent to the UK.

So if you were interested in that one it is possible to get it.

Booyhoo · 03/05/2013 11:07

OP i am totally with you.

and i cant see why being in a buggy for an hour would be any more uncomfortable than being in a car seat for an hour- tehre isn't much difference in comfort IMO.

but yes OP i dont see why a carseat cant be designed that easily converts to a pushchair.

i saw the thing DeWe mentioned on 'good luck charlie' once and whilst it looked really handy the seat was very low on the ground which sort of put me off it. but i'm sure something can be designed that is both safe for car travelling and comfortable for prolonged use when being pushed along the street.

Iggi101 · 03/05/2013 11:08

The next stage up carseats usually take a bit longer to fit in the car - most people (other than in op's situation) would just not want to take them out/in regularly. I'd worry they might not be properly fitted in that case, as they are always telling us most carseats are incorrectly fitted.
Are the taxis you use the black cab kind? Because if so you could keep the lo in the pram inside it, maybe they can be secured using the wheelchair straps or even if not might afford some protection.

Booyhoo · 03/05/2013 11:10

yes the thing freddie linked to is what i saw!

Booyhoo · 03/05/2013 11:13

btw- is DS definitely too big for the infant seat? i know some people think their dcs are too old for them without realising they still have a few more inches to go.

HorryIsUpduffed · 03/05/2013 11:15

Booyhoo - because the spine is held in an unnatural position. Like I say, optimised for survival in crash, not for long rests.

Long periods spent in car seats put unnecessary pressure on the wrong bits of the spine, and have also been linked to apnoea and tracheal restriction.

It isn't about comfort, but safety.

Booyhoo · 03/05/2013 11:18

i have to say my ds doesn't seem to be in a much different position when he's in his puchchair compared to his car seat. it loks pretty much teh same.

oldnewmummy · 03/05/2013 11:28

Google "sit n stroll". It's a forward facing car seat with pop out wheels and handle (similar to one of the ones above). We had one when we lived in Singapore and it was fantastic.

Fuckwittery · 03/05/2013 15:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HorryIsUpduffed · 03/05/2013 16:15

I understood we were talking about a child under one.

I don't find car seats as comfortable as a sofa, do you?

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 03/05/2013 16:25

How old is your DS and what weight is he? There must be a reasonably portable option for him...

freddiemisagreatshag · 03/05/2013 16:27

Horry - if he's grown out of his travel system then surely he's at least a year? Given that they usually fit to 12-15 months?

Or have things changed that much?

Iggi101 · 03/05/2013 16:31

Oldnewmummy that's a really interesting product, have never seen one in use in uk (though I see they can be bought via ebay). Would solve OP's problem surely.

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