families without cars: what to do about carseats? « Back to Group Discussions

[grizzlebee]

i live in NYC and we do not own a car, nor do i think we will buy one anytime soon. we have a zipcar membership which we use when we need a car for big errands (maybe once a month) or when we visit family in chicago. otherwise we do lots of walking and subway riding. 

i am not sure what to do about carseats! we will need one to get home from the hospital when the time comes and for occasional trips...i guess my problem is that i am not sure if i need to look for anything special or be aware of anything special if the seat will not be used a lot or will be used in different cars every time. any advice?

(i've never had a drivers license either so i am kinda ignorant about car stuff anyway, haha.)

[JynxGirl]

grizzle - When I had my daughter, I didn't have a car or a license either. We used a bucket seat with her as long as we could, because back in 2003, I didn't need a latch system. I think most seats now are easier to install in multiple cars, or cabs, but I would talk to the person you're buying the carseat from and let them know. Seeing as it's New York, I can't imagine you're the only one in this situation. ;) 

Side note: Does anyone in New York own a car anymore? (just kidding.)

[grizzlebee]

HAH, tons of people own cars here because we can never find a parking space when we get the dumb zipcar!!! not to be seinfeld but WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE??

[maryamrose]

Originally Posted by grizzlebee 

not to be seinfeld but WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE??

[KM84]

We're in the NY area too, though we're moving to Philly before the baby arrives, but are hoping to stay car-free. I've talked to a few friends about it, and got a few recommendations. The Graco Snugrides are supposedly not too much of a hassle to install. I think we're going to buy one from a store that has a good return policy, and try it out on the Zipcars in the lot by our new place.

[forestmushroom]

I would get a convertible, since that way you aren't spending a lot of money on something you won't use much (or buying more then one of them!).  Britax are easy to install, but are expensive. 

The cosco scenera is very affordable, and pretty easy to install.  The one thing that might not be so great is that we've foundi using a cut pool noodle or towel rolled up is essential to install it properly, rear-facing. 

Oh, and they are lightweight, too!  Very light weight compared to the britax, so if you are carrying it around that is a consideration. 

[sosurreal09]

I second the Cosco! If we didn't have a car I would get it. Since we do we have Radians though.

[SaguaroMoon]

Thanks for starting this thread, grizzlebee, and thanks to everyone who answered!

I'm originally from NYC, which is probably why I've managed to not have a car (or a driver's license) in Tucson for the ~10 years I've lived here. It's funny how many people have told me that it's impossible to not have a car here - I've somehow managed several jobs, 2 degrees, and a perfectly enjoyable social life without one over the years, so I must be a real weirdo . I was thinking at first that I could just borrow someone's carseat during the occasions when DH & I do rent a car, but then realized - duh - that most people use theirs all the time.

I will definitely check out the Costco carseat and the Britax. I wonder if I could get one used? Or is that a bad idea for carseats?

[forestmushroom]

I personally am against used car seats because you really don't know the history of the seat.  To me it isn't worth it.  Secondly, the seats only last 6 to 7 years and then need to be replaced (recycled), even if they haven't been in an accident.  Beig in a car--with hot temperatures, etc. the plastic of the seat can actually degrade and split and hurt the baby in an accident. 

Some people don't care and use used seats, but it isn't worth it to me... but that's my opinion. 

[sosurreal09]

Originally Posted by forestmushroom 

I personally am against used car seats because you really don't know the history of the seat.  To me it isn't worth it.  Secondly, the seats only last 6 to 7 years and then need to be replaced (recycled), even if they haven't been in an accident.  Beig in a car--with hot temperatures, etc. the plastic of the seat can actually degrade and split and hurt the baby in an accident. 

Some people don't care and use used seats, but it isn't worth it to me... but that's my opinion. 

ITA! I loathe people giving away or selling used car seats it scares the crap out of me.

[SaguaroMoon]

forestmushroon and sosurreal, thank you for the advice! I really don't know much when it comes to anything car-related. Getting a used carseat sounds way too risky - I will definitely get a new carseat.

[sosurreal09]

With my first my SIL gave us a newborn seat that was used and expired 2011 but DD was born in 09 so I didn't think anything of it. However the seat didn't seem to sit right and my mommy radar was going off like crazy...we didn't get a new seat until she was like 4 m/o but I wish we had sooner that thing scared the crap out of me and I'm so thankful we didn't get in any accidents b/c I really didn't trust it!

Anyway I recycled it and SIL was LIVID when she asked me for it back in 2011! I said it's expired anyway and she was like SO? She used it for foster kids so she never bought a new just kept using hand me downs...*I* would have just bought a convertible new and used if for all aged kids personally until it expired...but some people just don't care about car safety!

Also anyone not knowing about extended rear-facing (rear facing beyond 1 year) I strongly urge you to look into it. It is 500% safer than forward facing even at 2,3,4, etc y/o you should really rear face until the max of the weight/height of your seat.

[forestmushroom]

Although the laws haven't caught up in every state, itis now recommended that children rearface until age 2-- and not age one. 

[cookie_]

We're the rare New Yorkers with a car (we travel a lot and our neighborhood has great on street parking)! We used the Chicco keyfit bucket seat for the first 14 months or so (our son was/is a little guy), and it was really easy to get in and out of various cars using the base system. I used it several times by myself (I don't actually have a license either so I don't drive our car) if I had to use a car service to get to the airport etc, since my parents have a car seat for him to ride in on the other end. There are several car services in the city that provide car seats for a nominal fee, usually graco or cosco brand seats, and you can request a convertible or an infant seat with a base usually. Especially now that he uses a convertible seat, I make a request that it's rear-facing and ask them to come a little early so that I check that it's properly installed, although there have been a few times when it's been front facing and I just let it go.

As an addendum to grizzle's original question about car seats, can all convertible seats be used for infants? I thought that I remembered some people on carseats.org saying that there were some that shouldn't be used before 6 months or some height/weight minimums, but I didn't pay much attention since we were way beyond that.

Do you have any friends with cars and babies? Maybe you could ask them to pick you up at the hospital...I know we've done this a few times for friends with our infant seat.

[sosurreal09]

I know the costco and the radian can. You would have to read the seat info I am sure.