Carseats, sunscreen, dipes - needs on UK travel

[symesa]

My family and I will be coming to the UK in August for SIL's wedding. MIL wants to help as much as possible by having things ready for us when we get there. But...I don't know what to tell her to get. I need some help from other mamas!!

1. Does anyone know if it's OK for me to bring my US Britax Roundabout for DD2 to use in the rental car?

2. DD1 is 45 pounds/20kg (so that fits Stage 3, right?). In the US, renting a car seat from a car rental company isn't a good idea because the seats are such poor quality. Is that true in the UK? Do you think I should rent a stage 3 seat for her? Or is there a safe & inexpensive option to buy when we get there (or have MIL buy now)?

3. What brands of sunscreen do you use for your kids? I prefer paraben free products and/or something that is pretty good for fairly sensitive skin. Both the girls have bits of excema....

4. Chlorine-free diapers? Are there any available in the UK? What brands are they?

5. Baby wash/lotions - do you have recommendations on what kinds to get for sensitive skin that's also paraben free?

Many thanks!

[dalerose]

Hi, I wanted to respond to your question.

I don't know about carseats beyond the question of the legality of using a US seat in Europe. If the seat is anchored by the seatbelt then it may well fit, if it uses a special system, then it may well not fit.
There are baby equipment companies that can also loan (for a fee obviously) stuff you might need, but you'd need to check online. Stage 3 seats can be bought for as little as £45, so I understand. Would not comment on how good they might be. You could ask your family to arrange a loan seat from a friend or something?
We are a little slack with sunscreen in my family right now. (Havn't really managed to remove any clothing - cold still). There are brands available (including North American ones) that fit your criteria. Check out all the supermarkets and Boots the chemist. Failing that, again look online.
The nappies - moltex, there is a brand in supermarkets as well - Nature baby. A few others, not many mainstream.
The lotions etc supermarket, ot health food type shop will get you what you need.
Have a nice holiday.

[flapjack]

If you got a stage 2 that converts to a high-back booster then down to a booster, you'd probably get enough wear out of it to justify the cost: definitely under £60. Like this: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...3ECAR+SEAT.htm or we have this: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...3ECAR+SEAT.htm

For sunscreen, we use Green People, and for toiletries I use Waitrose own brand: who also stock GP sunscreen, and stock the nature brand of chlorine-free nappies. (I like them. They're cheap and they don't leak.) so everything could be done and dealt with simply.

[orangefoot]

I was going to suggest a trip to Waitrose too. They have all the things you would need and it is a calm shopping environment You can look for your local Waitrose here

It is good that your MIL is thinking of saving you trouble. I hope you have a good trip!

[tessie]

The nature's baby care nappies (which I assume were the ones referred to above) are available in major supermarkets (tesco, sainsbury's, waitrose) as well as Boots (drugstore found in just about every town). They also do wipes etc.

For baby products I use Simple and Little Me Organics. Again found in Boots and most supermarkets.

The big supermarkets (the above + asda) do home delivery so you could order everything you wanted to be delivered to MIL's before you arrive. I use http://www.tesco.com/ on a regular basis. Delivery is under £5 and you can choose your delivery slot. Absolutely fantastic! Boots also deliver but you can't pick your delivery time.

I have no idea whether or not you could use your existing car seat (contact the rental firm?) but Kiddicare are usually good value for car seats.

Halfords often have good offer on car seats and also provide a fitting service.

Enjoy your trip!

[Crunchiemomma]

I am an american living in the UK (DH is military).

I can't really answer your sunscreen question but nature baby care is the most natural diaper I have seen in the UK. They are comparable to seventh generation.
As for your car seat.....
By british law any carseat used in a british vechicle must have the british sticker of approval. I however have alot of friends who use their american seats in their british cars. They fit in the same way. Your britax should fit fine but it would probally be a very tight fit as british vehicles are rather small. I personally would just use your american seat. After we mail our american van back to the US I will be using our Britax in our british car until we move. It's perfectly safe.