My husband and I share a car and once in awhile I have to get myself and baby home from downtown to Lakeview without access to our car. He is now one and we've moved to Britax car seat which does not seem that portable. When he was an infant I would strap his infant car seat into the back of a cab and be done with it. How do you city mommas get your toddlers around? I'm a little leary of the CTA bus because it will be rush hour, with a crowded bus. I know it is technically legal to have a child in the back of cab without a carseat but it worries me. I can't be the only one out there with this problem. Help!!!
Hi E. - I carried my little girl in a side sling - it was quick to slip her in - and I felt I had her in a hammock.... so she couldn't fly off if the bus stopped quick.
My friends that have had to take a cab with their toddlers strap them in and sit right next to them so if something were to happen, they could at least try to prevent something. The seatbelt holds them so they don't fly out the window should there be a bad accident. I have taken my daughter in a cab one time and I strapped her in the middle seat. I agree that sometimes you cannot carry a regular carseat around with you all the time. If you do decide to take the CTA, consider the L instead and keep him close. Sometimes people are very considerate and let a child sit so he or she does not get stepped on or knocked down by the moving train.
I second the Ergo!
To try out baby carriers go to Be By Baby on Lincoln and Paulina to see what is comfortable for you.
In my opinion, as well as most of my friends, the baby carriers are great for public transportation, alternated with a full stroller. Cabs you're a bit stuck, but maybe read up on the state laws for cabs.
We do what ever is convenient for us at the time. We do bus, train, cab.
There are some cabs that have car seats, you just have to call ahead to reserve them and have them pick you up. But you can also do your lap or have them sit next to you or as others have suggested a baby carrier.When I do take a cab, I always request the driver take local roads rather than Lake Shore drive. It's more expensive and takes longer, but its worth it for peace of mind. I just feel more comfortable going with slower speeds.
On the bus and trains, people are VERY generous about giving seats up for moms with little kids, even though they are not requried to. I would avoid bringing a stroller during rush hour, but at 1, he should be able to comfortably sit on your lap. And as he gets older, he can have his own seats.
What I love about public transport over a car is that it gives you better opportunity to play games, sing songs and interact wiht your child. Like I Spy is a great one, and of course wheels on the bus, and i've made up my own words for the wheels on the bus to be wheels on the train! ENjoy the public transit time!
Hi E. S,
I am currently facing this problem as well. I have a 4 month old who is nearing 20 pds already! So far I have taken him in cabs in his infant seat but am also looking for a safer alternative once he grows out of it. I looked into those travel vests another mom mentioned but I'm not sure that would be very safe in a cab to have your toddler on your lap strapped to you with a flimsy vest. In a collision the weight and force of your own body flying forward would likely crush your son. Anyway. I have currently not found a safe alternative, but wanted to let you know that I'm looking as well. I'm going to ask his pediatrician next week and I'll post what I find. The El and busses really scare me esp during flu season! I would imagine the El is safer but so many stops don't have elevators to enable you to take a stroller. You would think the car seat companies would see that a lot of people have a need for a larger portable seat!
Have you contacted any taxi companies? I took my daughter in a cab once and just sat her in my lap (we weren't going far and didn't have an alternative). I asked the cab driver what people usually do...he said that some cab drivers keep a car seat in their trunk and that you could request a cab with a car seat. I've never heard anyone doing it with a cab...I know you can when you rent a car so why not? It's worth a try/call.
Good luck!
We have taken our boys (2-1/2 and 1yr) on the bus and train ever since they were infants, but never took taxis because of not having a car seat. We just weren't comfortable, esp considering how many taxi drivers drive. Also, I don't think seat belts are safe for little ones because of their size, especially in an accident. If your son is too squirmy or heavy for you to carry him in your arms for that long, my friend used a backpack-type carrier to ride the bus with her son. It would be bulky on a crowded bus or train, but much easier on your body with the even weight distribution. People give us seats with the kids more on the bus than the train. If you can take the L and your stops have elevators, you can keep your son in a stroller. Good luck.
Our kids love to take the bus and the train! It might help when he is in his "no" phase to excite him with the prospect of a train or bus ride. I have also had luck wtih people offering seats.
We take the train whenever possible (people are very generous to people with small children.) Haven't tried the bus at all. In a cab, we will use the middle seat with seat belt.
Hi E.,
We also live in Lakeview, and we take the bus and L often with our toddler daughter. She is always either in her stroller or in the Ergo Baby carrier. It's maybe a hassle (and we don't always go at rush hour), but even then people are pretty decent about making room. Personally, I would not trust a cabdriver to drive safely with my young child not in a car seat!!! If your child is over 20 lbs., I think there is a "travel vest" you can get for cabs, etc. Check out www.onestepahead.com -- I think they have it there.
Best,
R.
