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Original poster

Baby car seats in Singapore, Indonesia

23 replies

Umnitsa · 23/05/2012 00:49

We are going to Singapore and Bintan (in Indonesia) with a 21-month-old and I wonder whether we could request taxis with a baby seat. I suppose it might be easier in Singapore but not sure if we'll find one around the little island of Bintan. Or maybe I am being unfair as they have plenty of resorts including Club Med so presumably lots of travelling babies?..

We cannot really bring our seat as it is huge and awfully complicated to install so not suitable for hopping in and out of taxis. If there aren't any baby seats, would you just sit with the baby on your lap and hope for the best?

It is probably a very naive question but I've never taken a taxi abroad with a baby as normally we just rent a car so don't know what to expect. I would welcome your views on it.

OP posts:

Graciescotland · 23/05/2012 00:51

I think you might struggle. Could it be worth buying a lighter/ easier to install seat for your holiday?

empirestateofmind · 23/05/2012 01:18

I have never seen any one using a baby car seat in a taxi here. If you want to you can buy a seat in Mothercare or Babyworks or wherever but it would cost quite a bit and you'd have to lug it around at both ends of each taxi journey. People just put baby on their lap and buggy in the boot, you see it all the time.

The hotels send coaches to the ferry terminal on Bintan to collect the guests but I've never seen anyone using a car seat on those either. You'll probably not leave the resort once you are there as there isn't much to do around and about.

drcrab · 23/05/2012 01:50

We've just been to Singapore and no we didn't have a car seat. What I did was I strapped her to me in a sling (or baby bjorn) and then fastened my own seat belt. Bintan the hotel will send the bus to pick you up from the ferry terminal. Do the same. You won't be getting off the resort - there's nothing to do outside of them! And if you wish to visit (eg banyan tree is related to angsana) the other resort or have dinner, they'll organize transport.

Original poster

Umnitsa · 23/05/2012 21:10

Thank you for your comments, this is really helpful. I guess I will try not to worry about car seats then.

Hmm, I was hoping we could go somewhere outside the resort. DrCrab, Empirestateofmind - Is Lagoi Leisure village worth visiting? Did you go to Penyenget? What's your impression of Angsana (if that's where you stayed)?

OP posts:

drcrab · 23/05/2012 22:19

Loved angsana. Been there twice. We had a ground floor 1 bedroom thing which had a living room and kitchen diner which gave our son space to play etc. there was direct access to the pool side which was great. Food was fine - probably expensive now given the poor pound. Did massages there. Heavenly!! Spent 3 day 2 nights there which was a nice break. very very of you!! Oh and beach on doorstep so v convenient. They organize activities too so you can join in.

thisisyesterday · 23/05/2012 22:23

personally i would try and take some kind of restraint.

how heavy is she?

whatever you do, please don't sit with her on your lap. it's the most dangerous thing you can do. if you had an accident you would both go flying forward and the weight of your body would crush her against the seat in frotn.

if you really, really, really cannot take a car seat then you're safest strapping her into a seat on her own and sitting next to her to hold her stil.
she'd be safer on a lightweight high backed booster than she would sitting on someone's lap

thisisyesterday · 23/05/2012 22:25

even something like this one would be better than nothing

Original poster

Umnitsa · 25/05/2012 00:22

Ah thank you DrCrab, I am really very excited now!! It was a last minute decision to turn a business trip into a mini-family holiday and I was not sure whehter Bintan was a good choice.

OP posts:

Original poster

Umnitsa · 25/05/2012 00:27

Thisisyesterday, it was really an inspired idea to get another car seat for the trip (doh! why on earth didn't I think about it!!) Got a Britax Prince which is promoted as suitable for travelling (light and easy to install).

It will be a pain to carry it around but as other posters have said, it is unlikely I'll be going anywhere in Bintan, but at least I'll have a peace of mind about airport transfers.

OP posts:

empirestateofmind · 25/05/2012 02:10

thisisyesterday that car seat is huge. You wouldn't want to be shopping on Orchard Road carrying it. OP have you asked The Angsana if they have a car seat you could use for the transfers, they might be able to provide one.

HollyMadison · 25/05/2012 04:14

I live in Singapore but haven't been to Bintin. In Singapore you will not find taxis which carry car seats even if you try to pre-book.

I bought a car seat from Mothercare in the uk which was 40 quid and supposed to be suitable for traveling in that you can strap it in and out pretty easily. It is however massive! You couldn't carry it round with you. I use it when we are going somewhere where you can leave it with security at a building or check it in eg at the zoo. I would not have my DS (15m) on my lap and Singapore taxi drivers can be mental. If I think I won't have anywhere to leave the car seat at my destination then I take public transport.

Sure it's a hassle but you've got to consider whether you're prepared to relax safety requirements just cos you're away from home. I'm not! Although I've sure been tempted when it's 5million degrees and i'm trying to find a cab!!

drcrab · 25/05/2012 06:52

Also angsana is related to banyan (the more expensive one!!). You can get a golf buggy ride over there for lunch or dinner. Remember your mosquito spray and sunscreen!

Original poster

Umnitsa · 26/05/2012 12:51

Well the car seat has arrived - and it is huge! Not as massive as our regular one but it definitely not something one would happily lug around when out and about. In fairness, I don't think there are significantly more compact car seats for this age group. We will probably end up using public transport around Singapore as much as possible. But anyway I feel more comfortable knowing that we don't need to worry about airport transfers - and we'll use the seat when we go to the Ukraine later on (where we will be even less likely to find taxis with baby seats). Just need to practice installing it now...

HollyMadison - thank you for the tip about checking in the seat in the zoo. On a slightly different theme, what other attractions would be suitable for a (very jet-lagged) 21-month-old in a very hot city? I'll be in meetings for 2.5 days; presumably there are enough activities that DH can do with DD during that time.

DrCrab - thanks for the reminder about mosquito repellents!

OP posts:

RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief · 26/05/2012 13:47

You can go to Gymboree in the Tangolin Mall- just say you want to do a trial class- have to pay for the trial but not forced to buy a course or anything. Bit of a life saver if it's pouring with rain.

re the car seat, when are you going? You can buy these harnesses in the US that strap into a 5 point harness and are way more practical for taxis than lugging a car seat with you. In Singapore you might be able to find a "Freedom Ride" which is not dissimilar, but I can't remember what the minimum weight/age is.

I live in HK and just use the ergo sling for taxis- put your seat belt between you and your child, not around your child.

I think you have to be a bit realistic about whether you're really going to use public transport in 40 degrees and 90% humidity when you're supposed to be on holiday and taxis are cheap.

RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief · 26/05/2012 13:50

One other thing related to Dr Crab's point- in Singapore you can buy packets of Citronella patches which are great for young children as you can just stick them on the push chair or the back of their shirt and it repels mozzies, chemical free

re the zoo in Singapore- it is great, but very humid (rainforest environment) and hot so go as soon as it opens. My son liked the elephant washing

drcrab · 26/05/2012 17:04

Night safari - great for jet lagged kids and it's cooler than day time.

I don't think you'll use the car seat tbh. In between that, your push chair, bag... Shopping.. And child. And if your dh will be alone with him for a few days. I'd put baby in a sling or push chair and walk around in the tube or bus - if you are worried about vehicles.

My dd was 18 months when we were there recently and I have a DS who's 4. And she was in the sling. She also loved walking so was fine.

Jellicoe · 26/05/2012 22:25

Hi Umnitsa! I am from Singapore and yes child seats in taxis are unheard of. Taxi drivers are however generally helpful and you will have no trouble getting about. What I would say is you should try to pre book a taxi when possible as it can make a diff of waiting at the taxi rank from anything half hour to hour at peak hours/touristy places amd in a hot humid country with a baby its no fun! The number is +65 6552 1111. Its generally easy to flag on down or your hotel concierge can get u one too. Have fun!

Original poster

Umnitsa · 27/05/2012 01:45

We are flying tomorrow (well, actually today already...). Thank you for your insights, this is really helpful. I think we are prepared for all options proposed here: pushchair + public transport, taxis + our car seat... We might get a sling just to cover this option as well although DD did not enjoy being in Moby as a baby but another sling model might be more suitable. (Why didn't anyone tell me that to travel with a baby one should be prepared to bring along the whole life-support system?..)

RichManPoorMan - thank you for the Gymboree idea, she loves it here so it would probably add a bit of normality to her to do it in Singapore as well. And double thank you for the Citronella recommendation! Never heard of this patch before but sounds excellent.

Jellicoe - thank you for the cab number.

DrCrab - I was curious about this night safari idea but thought it'd be more suitable for older kids. But seeing that her timing will be all messed up it might actually work well!

OP posts:

HollyMadison · 27/05/2012 15:26

There are quite a few soft play places around as it is often too hot to be outside during the day. There's JWT Kids at UE Square mall and SingKids at vivocity which are good. The kids water park at the zoo is awesome! Hope you enjoy your trip.

drcrab · 27/05/2012 15:46

There are water play parks for free in vivocity. Also you can take a little train ride to sentosa (3 dollars return). There's a new water play park that's brilliant. And only 8 dollars I think. And parents go free. that should keep baby occupied!!

empirestateofmind · 27/05/2012 16:20

Dempsey Road (off Holland Road, Botanic Gardens end) has Go Go Bambini, which is an indoor soft play area. Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Parlour is next door.

Devonmum1 · 04/08/2013 18:46

Hi umnista I was wondering how things went with your trip to Singapore. I am thinking of going over to visit a poorly friend and was trying to decide to take my daughter currently 6 months or not and saw this thead so was interested on how things went, many thanks

dontyouknow · 07/08/2013 13:36

Devonmum1 - When we went to Thailand a few years ago we booked a taxi from the airport to our hotel on line and there was an option of a car seat which we used for our daughter. I imagine Singapore would be similar.

When she was a baby we had a travel system so the car seat fitted on the pushchair - you could put it on the plane as part of the pushchair and had a car seat with you when you got to the other end.

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