[minidiamond]

Anyone had experience of taking cabs in the US with a LO?
We'll be in NYC and chicago and in the past always used cabs as they're much more convenient and comfy in the cold -but not sure what to do about a car seat. DS will only be 5 months, we are thinking we'll buy one there for times on the holiday where we have a rental car- but we won't have a car in the cities.
I'm wondering about time/hassle of installing an infant seat

[belindarama]

I don't know about Chicago but we lived in NY and I can't see many cab drivers there being enthusiastic about picking you with an infant and a car seat.

Why wouldn't you take the subway, when are you going?

We hardly ever took cabs. The subway is cheap and pretty convenient. There are stations everywhere, the trains are frequent and is quite safe.

[thestylemanual]

OP said they want to catch cabs because of the cold. If they are going in winter, that's a fair enough reason. NYC and Chicago are freezing in winter. Literally.

[minidiamond]

TSM is right - we've been to NYC many times and I lived in the north east, so used the subway alot - but would really prefer not to have to potentially slosh through snow or have bubs in and out of freezing weather. It's our first time with bubs so a whole new world ! So really not sure what to do...

But you're right belindadrama the hassle/impatience issue is our concern ! Also the JFK trip to consider - public transport is great but add suitcases a baby a stroller a carseat etc and it becomes less convenient !

This post has been edited by Liltuss: 14/11/2012, 08:26 AM

[Madnesscraves]

I would just not bother with the car seat to be honest. Use a baby carrier as much as possible and get the quicksmart stroller so it's not bulky and can be used as carry on luggage. when you're using a rental car, I am sure the car rental places will let you rent a seat they'll have in stock.

[minidiamond]

I would just not bother with the car seat to be honest. Use a baby carrier as much as possible and get the quicksmart stroller so it's not bulky and can be used as carry on luggage. when you're using a rental car, I am sure the car rental places will let you rent a seat they'll have in stock.

The car rental seats are $25 p/day or more so with 2 weeks car rental, I was trying to save ourselves a bit of money. Much more economical to buy one (we have an address that we can have one waiting at our first destination).

The other thing is just the safety factor but I suppose I'll have to weigh up all those issues ....

[Ehill]

Flame me down but when travelling and carseats are just too hard I just leave bubs in the Ergo, sit in the backseat and hold him tight.

[baddmammajamma]

We used to live in NYC, and the public transport is great.

If you are really keen to have some car seat options, though, including the long ride back to the airport at the end of your trip or for any ventures outside the city:

Go to amazon.com:

Buy a Graco Snug Ride or similar capsure (you will find that many capsules in the U.S. can be secured via seatbelt only if need be). Buy a "universal stroller base" and voila -- you have a lightweight pram.

http://www.amazon.com/Graco-SnugRide-Infan...graco+snug+ride






There are other brands out there (e.g. Jeep, Kolcraft -- just search "universal stroller base" on amazon or other U.S. based stores), including combos that are less expensive than Graco.





This is light enough to use on the subway as well. The great thing about this set up is that if you are, say, out at dinner and your baby falls asleep, you can leave him sleeping in his capsule. Plus, the storage underneath is fab!

We used our Graco capsule + Kolcraft base so, so much when our daughter was young -- both in NYC & then when we moved to Singapore.

Have a great trip!

This post has been edited by baddmammajamma: 14/11/2012, 09:51 AM

[rob6712col]

Another one here who would not bother with a car seat in taxi's. Actually in NYC it is legal to hold a child on your lap up the the age of 7 in taxi's. We just got back from NYC and were there during Hurricane Sandy so there was no subway for a few days and had to use taxi's with kids. No prob at all.

[lsolaBella]

DO NOT WEAR A SLING WITH BUBS or Hold Them.

http://www.thecarseatlady.com/taxis/using_taxis_3.html