We're thinking about not getting a car seat. Is this crazy? - Page 2

[Tjej]

You will essentially have a car seat, it will just be stored a mile away in your in-laws car.  I don't see a need for a second.

Tjej

[ar2974]

I do not have a car seat.  I live in the city and don't use a car.

[hippiemombian]

I wouldn't get a car seat. You don't have a car and use public transportation. I don't live in a big city nor have I ever been in one, so forgive me if this sounds ignorant, but are you required to have a car seat in a cab? I guess I haven't seen many pictures of women carrying child seats in the streets of NYC or loading them in and out of cabs. There are so many "what-if" questions here. I live in a small apartment with next to no storage, I would not choose to keep something lying around for "what-if" situations. If it was life or death then the paramedics are going to strap the baby to the stretcher to work on them on the way to the hospital. Everything else, IMO, can either wait the 10 minutes for the in-laws to get there or just take a cab or whatever.

[aikigypsy]

Originally Posted by Tjej 

You will essentially have a car seat, it will just be stored a mile away in your in-laws car.  I don't see a need for a second.

Tjej

I agree with this, but also, if you decide you might want one to store at your house, there are always second-hand car seats around for free or cheap once you start moving in babies' social circles. I know lots of people say you should never use a used car seat, but for very rare or occasional use, I don't see the point of buying new.

[mama2soren]

Originally Posted by aikigypsy 

I agree with this, but also, if you decide you might want one to store at your house, there are always second-hand car seats around for free or cheap once you start moving in babies' social circles. I know lots of people say you should never use a used car seat, but for very rare or occasional use, I don't see the point of buying new.

I disagree with this completely.  There's no point to having a car seat if it is not a safe car seat.  If you get in an accident, having a safe car seat vs. an unsafe car seat could mean the difference between life and death.  And no one can be guaranteed that they will not get in an accident, even if they are the safest driver in the world and only drive a few miles a month.  A new car seat takes up no more room than a used one.  A new one can cost as little as $45 (less if on sale!).  A used one may have been treated well, or it may have been repeatedly checked as baggage, straps washed in the machine with bleach (or, well, without bleach, since washing them in the machine is damaging enough...), etc.  

Buying a used one for $10 will save you $35... less than a $1 per month if the seat lasts your kid 3 years.  Why choose to risk your kid's safety over $1 per month?
 

I say skip the seat for now since you essentially have one so nearby at your in-laws'.

[Subhuti]

If your baby is very sick and you need to cab it to your ped's office ... wouldn't you want to have a car seat? Cab drivers are insane in the city.  Buy something cheap and put it in the back of a closet.

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by Subhuti 

If your baby is very sick and you need to cab it to your ped's office ... wouldn't you want to have a car seat? Cab drivers are insane in the city.  Buy something cheap and put it in the back of a closet.

Usually when you need to get in to see you ped same day they squeeze you in at least a few hours into their day.  The OP could get the seat from her parents by then if she needs it.

[CatsCradle]

We live in a city too, don't have a car, and we have a car seat.  Well, it's in storage now and DD now uses a booster.  There are times when we need it:  we couldn't leave the hospital (DD was born in a hospital) without one.  My parents bought it at Costco, I believe, but it was safe and is still in good condition.  Are you in NYC?  If so, PM me and we'll give it to you.

Although we don't have a car, we rent cars from time to time to travel to the mountains or out of state, and it has gotten good use.  FYI, as it now stands in NYC, cabs and cars for hire don't require car seats...they only require that the child be restrained (either in seatbelt on parent's lap, seatbelt if under 12, or sling/carrier on parent's lap.  I rode in a police car with DD in a Bjorn on my lap (our apartment was broken into and the police took me down to the police station to report).

I just think it is good policy to have a car seat for whatever crops up.  Again, I have a car seat that I'd like to give away.  If you're  in my town, PM me!

[Norabella]

I think it is important to remember that even though cabs don't require the use of car seats, they are not any safer than any other vehicle. Legal does not mean safe, an unrestrained child in a cab is at the same (high) risk as an unrestrained child in a personal vehicle.

OP- if you hare certain that you would *always* have access to your ILs carseat, I wouldn't buy one. But, if they are on a day trip out of the city, will they leave the seat at your house? What if you can't get in touch with them and need to get somewhere in a hurry? If it were me, I think the what-ifs would compel me to have a seat, and be sure I was confident installing it.

[tinuviel_k]

I would absolutely get one, just for in case you need it.

We went without a car for much of the first two years of our daughter's life. In that two years we needed to have a car seat several times. Once I managed to seriously cut my finger with a kitchen knife, requiring stitches. We had to call a cab, and my daughter needed to come with me to the ER because she was a young breastfeeding infant. Around here the cabs do not have car seats, and there is no way I'd risk driving across town with an infant unrestrained in a cab!

Another time my husband got quite ill and needed to go to the ER (we thought it might be his appendix. We got a friend to drive us this time, but without a car seat I would have had to send my husband alone and in severe pain, and I would have hated to do that.

Other times we caught a ride with a friend to an activity. It did not happen often, but it was nice when it did, and our car seat came in handy then.

[HeatherB]

I really appreciate this discussion as my sister is in a similar situation. She lives in a major city, downtown, does not own a car, and neither she nor her DH drives. They're expecting twins and planning a hospital birth.

FWIW, they were told by the hospital that they could leave with the babies in a stroller if they don't have a car. Apparently a bus runs right there that could take them home, and that seems to be the current plan - to wear the babies on the bus.

They do take cabs a little more often, but she seems to think that could be given up, if necessary. Still, in the frigid cold or for emergencies, it seems well worth the ability to ride in a cab.

The only thing I haven't seen mentioned here is travel to other places were cars are necessary. I assume, in the OP's case, that borrowing the seat from the in-laws would be the easiest thing to do. For my sister, I'm thinking that may be a primary reason to have seats, though they may get off just fine not having any until they decide to travel.

It really is very strange, coming from a very large, very NON-pedestrian city, to think of surviving without a car seat in one's possession! But, clearly, it can be done!

(And I'm headed to visit my sister in a couple of days, where we'll more or less get a dry run for her of the city with a baby on foot - only she'll end up with two babies!)

[chickabiddy]

Originally Posted by Tjej 

You will essentially have a car seat, it will just be stored a mile away in your in-laws car.  I don't see a need for a second.

Tjej

Which is terrific if the in-laws are always available.  There are situations where the OP may have to get somewhere in a hurry (but not ambulance-type hurry), but the ILs are out of town for the day or otherwise unreachable.

I still think a $40 Cosco Scenera is a worthwhile investment, though I do understand the inconvenience of having to store it.

[homew/two]

Either you or in-laws buys a car seat, keep base in their car and keep seat in your closet. (unless in-laws might use it without your babe!)

[Maedze]

They only 'have' a car seat if the in-laws are home or available when the seat is needed.  That will not necessarily be true especially in emergent situations.  An appropriate restraint should always be used, even in a taxi.  Kids who are unrestrained get just as killed in a taxi as they do in a private vehicle, in the event of an accident.  

You do travel in cars, if rarely.  I urge you to spend the 50 dollars that will keep your child protected for the next three or so years in the event of an emergency.  

[tessioa9]

No car, then you don't need a car seat. Since they both go together, the seat without the car doesn't really make sense and its not economical either.

[tinuviel_k]

Originally Posted by tessioa9 

No car, then you don't need a car seat. Since they both go together, the seat without the car doesn't really make sense and its not economical either.

I disagree. If you can be certain that you will never, ever need to be in a car in the next five years then sure, getting a car seat doesn't make sense. But if you ever need to take a cab, of you ever need a ride somewhere, if you ever take a trip with someone then I think it is wise to have a seat handy. You can get a decent seat for not too much money and store it in a closet. There is no harm in being prepared, and there is potentially harm in not having a safe and legal way to transport your child by car should the need suddenly come up.

[Maedze]

Originally Posted by tessioa9 

No car, then you don't need a car seat. Since they both go together, the seat without the car doesn't really make sense and its not economical either.

This is not an accurate assessment.  The OP does ride in cars.  She just doesn't own one.    And a 50 dollar seat that can be used for at least three years is very economical. 

[Anna Phor]

Originally Posted by HeatherB 

I really appreciate this discussion as my sister is in a similar situation. She lives in a major city, downtown, does not own a car, and neither she nor her DH drives. They're expecting twins and planning a hospital birth.

FWIW, they were told by the hospital that they could leave with the babies in a stroller if they don't have a car. Apparently a bus runs right there that could take them home, and that seems to be the current plan - to wear the babies on the bus.
 

I live in a large city and don't own a car--and this was my original plan. A kind friend brought us an infant seat her son had grown out of while we were still in the hospital, and another friend loaned us a car to get home. I could not have managed the bus trip at 48 hours post partum. My advice to your sister would be to see if she can at least get a couple of borrowed seats for the first week. We had ped appointments at 3 days and 1 week plus a LC appointment some time in the first week; I think by the one week appointment I was physically able to manage public transit commutes but before that the car was really, really useful. It's the only time I've ever really needed a car to get around in this city.

[seraf]

I am a lover of car seats in my life bcause I'm a lover of cars.

However, I have lived in a city large enough that my car was often parked half a mile away from my home. Public transportation is harder immediately post partum, but your midwife will come to your house for the early visits, yes? Your parents are planning to be in town in that same time frame, I hope.

Not everyone rushes to the doctor or er just because they have a baby. In the 8 years I have been a parent, we have made a single (unwarrented) trip to the er. I cut my hand and could not have driven myself anyway, and yes, my mom drove us and controlled the kids while I was seen.

I wouldn't worry about it too much if you have easy access to you folk's car. If you get a month in and decide you would like one more than is convenient to borrow, you can always buy one.

[seraf]

I was thinking about it more last night.  A car seat is only as safe as its installation, right?  If someone had a carseat for emergencies only, what is to say they will have any skill at installing it?  I know I would have trouble installing an unfamiliar carseat in an emergency situation.