car seats in india

[Pawan]

We are travelling to India in a few months, for 2 weeks, to see my husband's parents, and so will be making several long journeys by car whilst there. DS1 is 2, and DS2 will be 11 months. I can't find any info on the internet about car seat availability there (would be happy to buy them there). How have other people managed in India or similar places? Just forgone using car seats altogether? Or taken your own?

We're going to India in a month or so, for a year. I'm going to be taking car seats for both of mine. May have difficulty always getting a car/taxi with seatbelts - but will certainly try. I know that people will think we're mad (as seatbelts rarely used), but I'm going to do what I feel comfortable with! My 5yo has a booster seat - so not too big to carry. But my 18 month old has a huge and bulky seat, weighting 7kg! (If you're little one is in a stage 1 seat that will make things easier!)
goodluck,
4gotoindia

Thanks 4gotoindia - I am reassured to hear someone say they are going to do what they feel comfortable with - I am sure if we do take car seats, we will get a lot of strange looks from people - but I think i would rather be safe. If you are going for a year, how are you managing to get the car seats out there (as you say, they're not exactly small) - will they take up a significant portion of your luggage allowance?

Our baby boy is very big (98th percentile) and so is almost out of his stage 1 seat, so think we will be considering taking two very large heavy car seats for them. But am also unsure how many cars will have seatbelts - some of my in laws have seatbelts (newer cars) and some don't - but none of them use them!

Doesn't worry me so much when we are in heavy traffic in cities such as Delhi, as you rarely get above 10 or 15mph, but am more concerned for when we are travelling on the motorway up North, and going to see family out in the country, where the traffic goes faster and car crashes - especially accidents when overtaking - seem more common.

Thanks and best wishes - hope you have a good year there

BA luggage allowance website says that (for this flight at least) both the child and infant get their luggage allowance, PLUS a carseat PLUS a stroller! Pretty good. Quite how we all get it on the overnight train, I'm not sure. Ho hum...