Car Seats in Taxis??

This used to drive me nuts when I lived in NYC. I took cabs often b/c I lived in Murray Hill and I took a strollercize class in Central Park (great class, by the way... terrific way to get in shape while keeping your baby with you). Anyway.... I got to be a pro at the whole taxi car seat thing. I used my snap n go, so what I'd do is put the car seat (with the baby in it) in the cab. The cab driver would usually get out to open up the trunk, so I'd quickly fold the snap n go frame and throw it in the trunk, and then buckle the car seat in by using the taxi's seat belt and thread it through the car seat. Remember to keep the car seat rear facing.

We moved out of the city when my daughter was 8 months old. Not sure what I would have done had she outgrown the infant car seat. Obviously, one is not going to schlep a Britax Marathon or other big seat around manhattan.

Check out the website www.thecarseatlady.com for tips about car seats and what to do in a cab.

Good luck and congratulations!

Hi T.,
Congratulations!!! When I had my son, the hospital (in Manhattan) didn't check to see if we had a carseat. The infant carrier is actually easy to put into the backseat of the taxi, you just run the regular seatbelt through the notches on the front of the carrier (near where your baby's lap is) and buckle it- make it rear-facing. Whoever picks you up at the hospital can just bring it then-there won't be enough space in your room to keep it.
Good Luck!

yes, the greater majority (if not all) hospitals will not discharge the baby unless you have a carseat installed, etc.

Hi, I am new here and this is my first message...
I have never taken my baby boy to a taxi but am guessing that you will need to take your car seat since this is the law. Maybe some taxi's have bases for certain car seats??? I think it's a long shot but won't hurt to ask, maybe they will and maybe it'll match the travel system you have?
As to the hospital, as far as I know, they won't let you out without a properly installed car seat (at least from St. Anthony's Hospital :)
Good luck!!!

Magda

Do you have to take a taxi? Can someone come pick you up if you don't own a car yourself? I guess you could install one in the taxi but its not that easy to do it the first time.

You will need to use a car seat when you take cabs, butI would not plan to leave the hospital in a taxi. If you have a car, use it. If not, for that day it is worth it to arrange for a car service and confirm that they can have a car seat installed or that they can set your carseat up in their car.

Your best bet is to check with your local police department and cab company. They will tell you the current law with your community.

Congradulations!!!!!!

I'm not sure what the rule is with taxi's. I've seen plenty of mom's riding with a car seat. However, when you leave the hospital you are required to leave with baby in the infant seat. Hope this helps!