Car Seats in America

[slbailey2017]

Hi there,

We’re travelling to San Francisco with our 3 month old over Christmas and we don’t know what to do about car seats. We won’t be hiring a car but will need a car seat for the odd taxi ride - what do people suggest? I’ve been told by numerous friends that car seats can get damaged in the hold of the aeroplane so wondered if anyone had ever hired a car seat in America?
Hope someone can help!

From what I've read; if you've got a seat in the plane for baby you can often take the car seat with you. Presumably that's not the case with such a young baby.

In which case, hiring a car seat is not recommended. You won't know its history and it won't necessarily be the best seat for your child so it's not a risk worth taking.

The best bet is to buy an infant carrier when you're there. If you join the group 'Car Seat Advice UK' on Facebook you can ask the question there when posting is open. Or search for the question which I know has been asked before. They can recommend a good budget infant carrier from somewhere easy to get to.

There's an American version of that group called something like 'car seats for the littles' although I'm not sure that's exactly right. You could join and ask the question directly there too.

Technically, European car seats are not certified for use in the US.
Practically, I'm sure they would fit and work, just not be legal. I also think the US is hot on chest straps, which UK seats don't use, so the straps look different.

Schlepping car seats round the world is hard work. How much would it cost, and how easy would it be, to buy one out there?

You can request Uber’s that have car seats

I’d just take your seat and make it’s well packed- bubble wrap then in a big bag or better yet the original box. I’ve done this a couple of times and never had an issue. Or is it feasible to buy a seat once you arrive? Only if you can get to your hotel via public transport though as it’s illegal even in a taxi to travel without a baby seat in CA. No advice on hiring seats once you’re here because I’ve only done it when also hiring a car but Uber car seat is only for kids over 1 (and in my experience doesn’t really exist outside of the Uber website).