car seats
Feb 23rd, 2010, 11:52 AM
#1
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car seats
We are travelling to Europe: Barcelona, Italy and Switzerland. We are taking a 12 day cruise but then renting a car and travelling some more. I am wondering what I should do for a car seat for my 2yo. Does the seat have to be approved for use in Europe? If so, does anyone know how to find out what seats are approved? we will be taking taxis during the cruise portion of our trip so I was hoping to find a travel-friendly car seat. I am surprised to read that many ppl just hold their children in taxis but I am NOT comfortable with that idea. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Feb 23rd, 2010, 02:32 PM
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In Europe we have 3 child seats to cover all the various ages up to the age of 12.
I understand that the European designs are different to US standards.
Given that there are three seats to be used it is impossible for taxi drivers to carry around three seats all the time, maybe more to carry more children...just imagine if the law said they had to cater for up to 3 or for children. Given that fact it is easy for us to accept this ruling. All car hire companies will rent you a child seat if you pre book it. My suggestion is to relax a taxi trip is only going to be 15 to 20 mins.
PS We also do not have child seats for buses either!
I understand that the European designs are different to US standards.
Given that there are three seats to be used it is impossible for taxi drivers to carry around three seats all the time, maybe more to carry more children...just imagine if the law said they had to cater for up to 3 or for children. Given that fact it is easy for us to accept this ruling. All car hire companies will rent you a child seat if you pre book it. My suggestion is to relax a taxi trip is only going to be 15 to 20 mins.
PS We also do not have child seats for buses either!
Feb 23rd, 2010, 03:08 PM
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That's right: in Europe they have seats similar to our "baby bucket", toddler safety seat, and older child booster.
When I took a two-year-old to Europe, I relied on the seat we arranged withour car rental, giving, as required, the child's age, height, and weight to assure they would have the right seat waiting for us. It was pretty basic and really yucky. But it did the job.
We returned when my son was four, and we brought along our own booster. I'd read that European laws required boosters with a proper back to them, so we took along a folding car seat made by Compass, which we still use. You can find a similar model on Amazon by looking for the "First Years Compass Deluxe Folding Adjustable Booster." We checked that, sometimes right at the gate and sometimes with the regular luggage, and never had to pay a fee for it. It is a nice car seat, and the fact that it folds does make it easy to lug around, to a point.
Now we've graduated to the backless booster (on both continents) and phew, but that's even easier to carry around.
You can learn a lot by looking at British websites like Mothercare or Amazon.co.uk for car seats and carriers. They have good info on the legal requirements. Good luck with your search.
When I took a two-year-old to Europe, I relied on the seat we arranged withour car rental, giving, as required, the child's age, height, and weight to assure they would have the right seat waiting for us. It was pretty basic and really yucky. But it did the job.
We returned when my son was four, and we brought along our own booster. I'd read that European laws required boosters with a proper back to them, so we took along a folding car seat made by Compass, which we still use. You can find a similar model on Amazon by looking for the "First Years Compass Deluxe Folding Adjustable Booster." We checked that, sometimes right at the gate and sometimes with the regular luggage, and never had to pay a fee for it. It is a nice car seat, and the fact that it folds does make it easy to lug around, to a point.
Now we've graduated to the backless booster (on both continents) and phew, but that's even easier to carry around.
You can learn a lot by looking at British websites like Mothercare or Amazon.co.uk for car seats and carriers. They have good info on the legal requirements. Good luck with your search.
Feb 24th, 2010, 05:21 AM
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we have travelled and driven all over Spain with our 2 kids .. first time the oldest was 13 months and this past November when the oldest was 6 and the youngest was 4. Both trips we took our own car seats ... Trip #1 we took the "big" car seat and this last time, both kids were in boosters. We travel quite a bit and ALWAYS take our own .. you never know what gross things may have happened in the ones you rent. We just send ours with the checked baggage (using a really big laundry bag with a cinch cod on top) (A lot cheaper than the "travel carriers") we have never had any trouble and those bags have traveled thousands of miles and have never been charged a fee from the airlines for checking them .. domestically or Internationally.
Plus .. our kids are comforatable in their own seats .. and that helps with the traveling.
Hope this helps .. alexis
Plus .. our kids are comforatable in their own seats .. and that helps with the traveling.
Hope this helps .. alexis
Feb 24th, 2010, 06:30 AM
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Officially all child restraints in the EU must be ECE R44.03 or R44.04 certified. It is doubtful you would find a seat in the US with that certification. However I think for a holiday bringing your child's own seat is best.
You would need to check with the taxi driver whether they are prepared for you to fit a child seat for a short ride - it takes valuable time for them, and is not a legal requirement. plus one of you will probably have to sit up front, which the driver may not be happy with.
You would need to check with the taxi driver whether they are prepared for you to fit a child seat for a short ride - it takes valuable time for them, and is not a legal requirement. plus one of you will probably have to sit up front, which the driver may not be happy with.
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