Traveling with babies/toddlers: CARSEAT question!!

jennaLynn544 · January 19, 2010

I am in desperate need of some advice or direction on this one...

we are leaving this Thursday! We opted to drive 5 hours to the nearest *major* airport to fly out for our destination & saved $1,000 so we don't actually fly out to JA until Friday at 6am.

This whole time, I have been thinking that we will just grab her car seat from the vehicle to take with us on the plane. Although we didn't purchase a seat for our 18-month-old (FI's decision, I disagreed), we are going to gate-check her car seat & use it if there is a seat available. PLUS, I was thinking we'd need it anyhow for during our airport shuttle that morning and for our airport transfers to and from our resort in JA (we have a 90 min. trip to the resort from the airport & then back again when we leave).

FI just said to me tonight "Do you seriously think we need to haul that thing around with us for this trip?"....Um, YES, why would I not want her in a car seat, especially for a 90 minute drive (2 times) and on the airplane?! Car accidents are the #1 leading cause of death for children, so I just don't get how he's managing to make me feel like I'm nuts for thinking we need to bring the car seat with?!

I also just don't see how our 18-month-old is going to stay still in someone's lap for 90 minutes..?! She does NOT like to be held or sit on anyone's lap for longer than a few moments. When she is harnessed into a car seat, that's a different story...then, she understands (and also has no other choice) she must sit still & stay put.

Someone please tell me you have advice?...have been there before?...or can direct me on what to do, who to speak with/contact, etc.?

As if I don't have enough crap to do & worry about, now I have to argue with my FI about our little "car seat dilema".

bholthof · January 19, 2010

Don't know if you looked but somewhere on here there is a threa discussing travelling with babies and infants.

It depends on the shuttle company, but someone mentioned that a lot of these shuttles don't have seatbelts - ergo the carseat doesn't do anything. They are only effective if the child is buckled in. Our TA (and perhaps one in the thread I'm mentioning?) said that a sling or a baby bjorn is best for in the vehicle? That may not be possible with an 18 month old.

Anyway, two infants are travelling with our group, and I don't think either mother is planning on taking the carseat. Its almost safer to hold the child, especially if there is no seatbelts. Also, carseats take up a lot of room - the shuttles can be very snug, as well. THe carseat might not even fit. Check with your TA - they might know better, or might be able to make a better suggestion.

Here is the thread I mentioned. http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...nt-baby-51750/

Good luck!!! I know I'd hate to lug around a giant carseat, especially if we didn't need to.

jennaLynn544 · January 19, 2010

Thanks for the link I checked out the thread and plan to call first thing in the morning to see if I can obtain more detailed information on the airport shuttle service to/from the resort. I guess if they do not even have seat belts on them it would be completely unnecessary to haul her car seat along...it would be nice to have on flight, though, because if there are open seats (& all but one of our planes look about 40-50% booked--and we're just 72 hrs. away) it would be nice to have her car seat w/ if we are able to snag a seat to use for it.

Hopefully, I can get a solid answer and it may make this decision/argument easier for FI & I...

TATrisha · January 20, 2010

For my wedding we had two 18 month old little girls with us. In the end, the parents decided to NOT bring along car seats. It was just too much. We were able to get car seats in our transfer vans, however. We simply called them and asked. Because we called, they specifically gave us a van that had seat belts. The other van (we had two of them) did NOT have seat belts.

Also, carrying the car seat through an airport is VERY difficult. You will have a lot of luggage the way it is and need to keep a constant hand on your daughter as well. Adding the akwardness of a carseat might make things really hard for you. Just another thought.

miznunu2010 · January 22, 2010

I agree with your fiance about not wanting to take it but the way they drive there I would! They drive around cars on the opposite side of the road. I guess you have pros and cons about it. But if it were me I'd take it

CHAKLIT · January 22, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennaLynn544

I am in desperate need of some advice or direction on this one...
we are leaving this Thursday! We opted to drive 5 hours to the nearest *major* airport to fly out for our destination & saved $1,000 so we don't actually fly out to JA until Friday at 6am.

This whole time, I have been thinking that we will just grab her car seat from the vehicle to take with us on the plane. Although we didn't purchase a seat for our 18-month-old (FI's decision, I disagreed), we are going to gate-check her car seat & use it if there is a seat available. PLUS, I was thinking we'd need it anyhow for during our airport shuttle that morning and for our airport transfers to and from our resort in JA (we have a 90 min. trip to the resort from the airport & then back again when we leave).

FI just said to me tonight "Do you seriously think we need to haul that thing around with us for this trip?"....Um, YES, why would I not want her in a car seat, especially for a 90 minute drive (2 times) and on the airplane?! Car accidents are the #1 leading cause of death for children, so I just don't get how he's managing to make me feel like I'm nuts for thinking we need to bring the car seat with?!

I also just don't see how our 18-month-old is going to stay still in someone's lap for 90 minutes..?! She does NOT like to be held or sit on anyone's lap for longer than a few moments. When she is harnessed into a car seat, that's a different story...then, she understands (and also has no other choice) she must sit still & stay put.

Someone please tell me you have advice?...have been there before?...or can direct me on what to do, who to speak with/contact, etc.?

As if I don't have enough crap to do & worry about, now I have to argue with my FI about our little "car seat dilema".

My daughter's been to Jamaica 4 times since she's been born...she's 2 and half now. Each time we travel, I always bring her car seat. I rent a car when I'm there and if we're alone, she definitely needs her seat. Also, the style of driving is different down there and anything can happen -- so I need to ensure her safety. Make sure you get transportation that has seat belts or the latch hooks for the seatbelt of the carrier.

I just sling her seat on my back(like a backpack) while in the airport -- it came with a great carrier.

Hope this helps!

ldeavila · February 4, 2010

I will be traveling with my son, who will be 14 months at time of travel. We wanted to take his car seat (although we won't be using it on the airplane) and take a stroller. So FI was like are we really going to lug all that with us plus luggage and your dress

So, in my search of an alternative, I thought of purchasing that this converter stroller thing for $80, but then I'd still need a stroller. So, I came across this website that rents baby equipement in PV. Lots For Tots Home Page

What do you ladies think? They charge $45 for weekly rental (stroller or car seat) or $10 a day.

thewilsonfamily · January 28, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennaLynn544

I am in desperate need of some advice or direction on this one...
we are leaving this Thursday! We opted to drive 5 hours to the nearest *major* airport to fly out for our destination & saved $1,000 so we don't actually fly out to JA until Friday at 6am.

This whole time, I have been thinking that we will just grab her car seat from the vehicle to take with us on the plane. Although we didn't purchase a seat for our 18-month-old (FI's decision, I disagreed), we are going to gate-check her car seat & use it if there is a seat available. PLUS, I was thinking we'd need it anyhow for during our airport shuttle that morning and for our airport transfers to and from our resort in JA (we have a 90 min. trip to the resort from the airport & then back again when we leave).

FI just said to me tonight "Do you seriously think we need to haul that thing around with us for this trip?"....Um, YES, why would I not want her in a car seat, especially for a 90 minute drive (2 times) and on the airplane?! Car accidents are the #1 leading cause of death for children, so I just don't get how he's managing to make me feel like I'm nuts for thinking we need to bring the car seat with?!

I also just don't see how our 18-month-old is going to stay still in someone's lap for 90 minutes..?! She does NOT like to be held or sit on anyone's lap for longer than a few moments. When she is harnessed into a car seat, that's a different story...then, she understands (and also has no other choice) she must sit still & stay put.

Someone please tell me you have advice?...have been there before?...or can direct me on what to do, who to speak with/contact, etc.?

As if I don't have enough crap to do & worry about, now I have to argue with my FI about our little "car seat dilema".

Hi JennaLynn544,

I wish I'd seen your post a lot sooner before you'd left to give you some sound advice.

I have only just got back from Jamaica with FI last December and had travelled with my partner and 2 year old son. I totally know where you're coming from with the whole safety issue during travelling. Firstly on the plane is not too bad as you can cope a lot better with a toddler,,,,,whether they are in your arms or old enough to have their own seat. Tricky part is dealing with the panic you suddenly feel when you realise that you're in a bus/car from the aiport to the hotel and and the extent of just how bad the driving is becomes apparent....You've got a 18 month old clinging to you or the other way round!. You're completely on edge until you get to the safety of the hotel lobby and then you vow never to get in another vehicle without a fit and proper car seat for your little munckin which has seatbelts that are actually visible!

The idea of a holiday Jamaica is to be able to visit the attractions ie Dunn's River Falls, Negril Beach, White Witch Guest House and Golf Club in Rose Hall and many more but errm no way are you going in a bus/car that is NOT fitted with a COMPATIBLE car seat for your baby (one that is actually suited to baby ie like or similar to the one you left back at home ). Well not sure how lucky you were but that certainly didn't happen to us. We found that the lack of knowledge relating to baby car seat compatibilities, correct sizes, comfortability, abilities and functions very frustrating even amongst the drivers serving the top hotels! We stayed at the Ritz Carlton and their tour buses only had 3 car seats to choose from. Not to mention they had at least 2 phone calls a day from the airport requesting a child car seat whether booster, newborn or toddler types. The car seats offered to use were below sub standard and looked more dangerous than safe!

Anyway enough blabbing on I hope you had a fantastic time in the sun enjoying the great food? I wish you would share your experience of how it all went as it would serve as valuable research for me and my husband.

Luckily he had the same concerns as I regarding the safety in travelling around the country on roads where everyone has their own rules (We drove from Montego Bay to Kingston then Kingston to Mandeville then Mandeville to Montego Bay) He eventually saw an oppurtuntiy to be able to provide the hotels and tour companies with a baby car seat rental service. Baby car seats that are compatible with the age and height of your child, have been demonstrated to the drivers on how to fit, printed installation instructions and are kept in clean tidy state. From the research we have conducted it is apparent that the Government are vehemently behind the idea of driving safer and travelling safer. There have been heavy crack downs on drivers travelling with children who aren't in a correct car seat (this was a norm at one time in Jamaica) You rightfully said Car accidents are the #1 leading cause of death for children!!!!

We haven't yet completed our website and facebook page but will let you all know the details in due course and should you be going to Jamaica for a honeymoon or vacat ion rest assured that you will be able to reserve a car seat which you are comfortable using.

Out of curiousity what brands of car seats are most North Americans familar with? In Europe we have brands such as Mamas and Papas, Maxi Cosi amongst others?

Do you follow the same guidelines in America and Canada such as the ones we follow? See link below.

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/types/index.htm

Any feedback would be hugely appreciated x.