Fly-drive - Car seat?

[CountAdhemar]

Evening all,

We have a delightful 12 week old DD (only 1 DC) and are considering a trip either to the other end of the UK or maybe France.

We are big on car safety, so if flying and renting a car at your destination, what does everyone do about car seats? Do the car companies rent them, and if so, how comfortable do you feel about this given it's akin to using a second hand car seat? All experiences and perspectives, hints and tips most welcome.

Cheers

CountAdhemar

A lot of airlines will let you bring carseats for free, might be worth checking what yours offer. We have specific holiday car seats, which are lighter and less expensive to replace then our all the time ones, but I have more confidence in then a random rental.

Take your own!

I have yet to find an airline who doesn't allow car seats for babies to be checked in. Even easyjet and ryanair do.

I'd get a second infant carrier to take with you. Just make sure its in a suitable box/bag with some padding (a great way to sneak more baggage allowance in!).

Never ever trust rental or provided taxi car seats. Twice now i've been provided with one in a transfer without asking and they were a horror! I'd be reluctant to put a doll in them let alone a baby. We always take our own.

Unfortunately no easy solution other than take your own. From experience I would not rent a car seat either in the UK or abroad - you'll likely end up with a dirty, age inappropriate, low scoring (safety wise), old and badly fitted seat. On the plus side a baby carrier isn't so annoying to take on the flight and if you buy a car seat bag / take the original box, you can pack the bag / box out with nappies etc.

Take your own.

Pack it in its own box (or similar sized if you don't have it) and ensure packed and supported well with bubble wrap or nappies/ towels. Most airlines check them for free.

We've previously hired seats and they were awful (also a bit of car seat safety nut) and I won't do it again. Lots of posts about this on FB group car seat safety UK.

We have three kids now and I'm taking three seats when we go to USA this summer - it was just not an option to risk getting a crap seat, especially as it's very much. 'driving holiday'.

Thanks for all the responses, folks - appreciate the experience wisdom.

Regards

Count Adhemar