Car Seat and Booster questions

[niknjas]

Hi

Have looked around on the forum and can't quite find what I am looking for so hopefully someone can help me.

Charlie (6) is in a Graco booster seat and Phoebe (2yrs and 9m) is in one of those huge Britax monstrosities. I know that we will need to get new car seats when we get over there but is there any point me taking hers on the plane?

Also we have got meet and greet but I don't know whether they will have car seats. Has anyone idea what happens in this instance or any suggestions?

Thanks

Niki

[Guest familygood]

Good question! I am taking Graces car seat for the plane as she sleeps in it better but I know that we cant use it once there. We have someone picking us up with the right car seat luckily. We will need to go and get one asap. I am hoping its nots one of the massive sorts that she has now...

[Hazel M]

oooh I was wondering about taking the car seat on the plane. Didnt realise they have different ones though. How are they different - just curious why we cant we use our own??

[Guest ben&sharon]

Hi there,

 

We brought Jamie's seat with us when we did our reccie trip (did the whole trip with it before we realised we weren't supposed to be using it in a car.... ). It was great to have it on the plane - he wasn't quite two then and he slept so much better in it. But it was bloody difficult carting it around between flights and such like, because it weighed a ton, and it took up so much space on the plane seat that when anyone in front reclined their chair it really restricted his space. And that's another thing - you must make sure you tell the airlines you're bringing it, because they have to approve the seat and then place you accordingly in the plane - they can only go on certain seats.

 

So we didn't bother when we came over for good, and he was just a little bit younger than your daughter, Niki. He was actually better for having the space and being able to move about when he wasn't asleep, and we got by with the sleeping - we took a huge triangular pillow with us so that he was supported on all sides when he nodded off.

 

Finally - the reason you can't use your own seat here is that they are required by law to have a central installation strap that goes from the back of the seat and hooks to a secure point in the boot of your car. There is plenty of choice around - we found a really good one that is somewhere between a booster and a traditional seat but has the full harness required.

 

Hope this all helps!!

 

Sharon.

[Guest Trakki]

we didn't bring any car seats as there was no way we could have managed 4 children, 9 suitcases, a double buggy and a car seat. Joe was 13 months when we flew and he was fine, I didn't get the bassinnete for him as I felt he was too big, on the first flight they left the seat next to me empty and he just snuggled down into the seat with extra pillows provided by the cabin crew and slept well, he had to be on my lap for take off and landing. On the second flight he was on my lap (as he was under 2) the whole way which was a bit uncomfortable but we spent time walking up and down the plane and then he slept. Personally I am glad we didn't take the car seat and think that the long flight is too long for a little one to be in one, at least on the plane seat they can move around a bit.

 

HTH

[niknjas]

Thanks Sharon

Must admit, we don't fancy carrying it around. It weighs only a little less than Phoebe or thats what it feels like.

Any idea's about transporting from airport to accomodation with meet and greet. Do you get their details in advance?

Thanks

Niki

[Guest ben&sharon]

Thanks Sharon

Must admit, we don't fancy carrying it around. It weighs only a little less than Phoebe or thats what it feels like.

Any idea's about transporting from airport to accomodation with meet and greet. Do you get their details in advance?

Thanks

Niki

 

 

I have no idea, since we stayed with Tamara (as is Emma, I think), and they provided one when they collected us. Best thing you can do is just to contact them directly and see what they can do. They must have come across this before, so I can't imagine it will be a problem!

[Hazel M]

we didn't bring any car seats as there was no way we could have managed 4 children, 9 suitcases, a double buggy and a car seat. Joe was 13 months when we flew and he was fine, I didn't get the bassinnete for him as I felt he was too big, on the first flight they left the seat next to me empty and he just snuggled down into the seat with extra pillows provided by the cabin crew and slept well, he had to be on my lap for take off and landing. On the second flight he was on my lap (as he was under 2) the whole way which was a bit uncomfortable but we spent time walking up and down the plane and then he slept. Personally I am glad we didn't take the car seat and think that the long flight is too long for a little one to be in one, at least on the plane seat they can move around a bit.

 

HTH

Tracey, slightly off-subject but just wondering how did you get on with the flight with your other children. Ours will be 7 and 5 when we fly and just curious if it was a hellish experience for them or they coped well / were entertained etc. Its the one bit Im not looking fwd to with them plus a 1yr old...

 

Thanks

[niknjas]

Hi

In addition to Hazel's post, I know a couple of people have used Phenergan in the past and that it has to be from the pharmacy, does anybody know the age that they are putting on this now as they keep messing around with the age groups for the medicines?

Thanks

Niki

[Guest The Dimmocks]

I was wondering about the meet and great as well as we have applied for that. I'm sure they must look at who is arriving and provide suitable transport for the people. Nearer the time though I think I will e-mail them and see. The flight is another thing, with twin boys who are not quite 2 and a half and a 4 year old girl. We have brought them each a little bag and have been buying little toys and crayons which I will wrap up so they can open them throughout the journey.. that the idea anyway. Hopefully they will fall asleep on both flights and wont wake until we land. It is only one way though and only one day out our lives so trying not to think about it to much.. what will be will be.

[Riponian]

Hi

Have looked around on the forum and can't quite find what I am looking for so hopefully someone can help me.

Charlie (6) is in a Graco booster seat and Phoebe (2yrs and 9m) is in one of those huge Britax monstrosities. I know that we will need to get new car seats when we get over there but is there any point me taking hers on the plane?

Also we have got meet and greet but I don't know whether they will have car seats. Has anyone idea what happens in this instance or any suggestions?

Thanks

Niki

 

Personally I would not take your car seats on the plane there is enough to carry on and off the plane you will have enought o carry along with your sleepy children. It is easy enough to wrap your child in blankets and pillows they love it.

Once yuou get here you cna pick car seats up at big W, K Mart , toy r us there plenty of places thta sell them.

It is

[Guest Trakki]

Tracey, slightly off-subject but just wondering how did you get on with the flight with your other children. Ours will be 7 and 5 when we fly and just curious if it was a hellish experience for them or they coped well / were entertained etc. Its the one bit Im not looking fwd to with them plus a 1yr old...

 

Thanks

 

They were fine, Jack was 7, Sophie 5, Niamh 2 and Joe 1, They all had a rucksack with bits and bobs in and as they had not had DS before they had one of those each but to be honest they used all that stuff more when we got here, on the flight they mainly watched films or played the games on the TV's, we thought it would e hell bbut were pleasantly suprised and it was fine, we had booked the 6pm flight so by the time we got on the flight, ate and got settled it was only a little way past their bedtimes and they then slept. THey were more excited than anything as they had never flown before. The cabin crew were great which helped (Singapore airlines)

 

Hi

In addition to Hazel's post, I know a couple of people have used Phenergan in the past and that it has to be from the pharmacy, does anybody know the age that they are putting on this now as they keep messing around with the age groups for the medicines?

Thanks

Niki

 

as a childrens nurse I would personally try to avoid it if you can, I did get a bottle just in case but never used it. If you feel that you will use it try it before you fly as it can send children hyperactive rather than the desired effect. I would only use is as a very last resort and unless you have the child from hell anyway would think that you wouldn't need it but worth keeping in mind. But do try it first!

[niknjas]

I was wondering about the meet and great as well as we have applied for that. I'm sure they must look at who is arriving and provide suitable transport for the people. Nearer the time though I think I will e-mail them and see. The flight is another thing, with twin boys who are not quite 2 and a half and a 4 year old girl. We have brought them each a little bag and have been buying little toys and crayons which I will wrap up so they can open them throughout the journey.. that the idea anyway. Hopefully they will fall asleep on both flights and wont wake until we land. It is only one way though and only one day out our lives so trying not to think about it to much.. what will be will be.

 

Hi ya

I sent an email to Immigration last night re car seats and meet and greet and am just waiting for a reply, so when I know I will give you a shout.

We have done the same with bags for each of them. They have both got a backpack with pencils, colouring / activity books. Charlie has his DS but Cathay Pacific has said the hand luggage is 5k so I have also put some of his flatter toys in there as well to tide him over until we have stuff shipped over. I'm hoping the sleep thing is going to kick in as well. We fly at 5.40pm if not I think good old Calpol may come in handy.

Good luck with the flight.

Niki

[niknjas]

Hi Tracey

My other half did say that he used phenergan years ago when he took his kids to America and it knocked Sam out for a couple of days really and Tasha was just quiet. I think if have to use anything will probably stick to Calpol.

Cheers for the advice.

Niki

[Guest PhilC]

The law changed back in November 2009:

 

http://www.dtei.sa.gov.au/roadsafety/Safer_behaviours/seatbelts/new_child_restraint_laws_faqs

 

To summarise:

 

The new laws will require children to be appropriately restrained in a motor vehicle in a suitable approved child restraint from birth up to the age of seven.

Specifically, the new laws will require children:

 

• up to the age of six months to be restrained in a rearward facing child restraint (e.g. infant capsule)
  
• from six months until the age of four to be restrained in either a rearward or forward facing child restraint (e.g. child safety seat)
  
• from four years until the age of seven to be restrained in either a forward facing child restraint or booster seat restrained by a correctly adjusted and fastened seatbelt or child safety harness.
  

The new laws also deal with the issue of children sitting in the front seat of a vehicle.

 

• Children up to four years of age must be restrained in the rear of the vehicle (where the vehicle has two or more rows of seats)
  
• Children aged between four and seven years will not be permitted to sit in the front seat unless all other seating positions are already occupied by children under seven.
  

[Guest scmercer]

Hi,

 

I know that Australia has it's own standards on carseats but personally I find them no where near the standard of the UK carseats. I bought both my children a carseat when I arrived here and was not happy with them and ended up having maxicosi ones shipped from the UK which I have been using for several months, I am now sorry I didnt bring mine over on the flight!

[niknjas]

Hi

Just received email back from immgration in answer to my question re transport via meet and greet from airport:

 

Dear Jason and Niki

Thank you for your e-mail inquiry. Usually we use one volunteer's vehicle and one taxi to transfer migrants and their luggage. By South Australian law, it is not require to have a baby seat when using taxi. You can discuss this with our volunteer at the airport and arrange this accordingly.

Hope this helps

Niki

[Guest The Dimmocks]

Hi Niki

 

Thanks for that, I think that law is the same in the UK for traveling in a taxi. They gonna need a couple of cars to collect us plus luggage, plus double buggy.

 

Thanks again and have a safe journey.

 

Michelle

[Riponian]

Hi,

 

I know that Australia has it's own standards on carseats but personally I find them no where near the standard of the UK carseats. I bought both my children a carseat when I arrived here and was not happy with them and ended up having maxicosi ones shipped from the UK which I have been using for several months, I am now sorry I didnt bring mine over on the flight!

 

I know what you mean I hate the ones we have but did not want to get caught out incase it voids the insurance in the event of an accident.

[Guest guest3462]

Hi, we brought our UK car seats over with us in the hold as checked in luggage so we didnt have the hassle of carrying it through the stop over airport. We flew with Malaysian airlines to Perth, then Qantas to Adelaide and they were not counted in the weight allowance neither was the pram and travel cot. We had help from the airport police as soon as we got to Heathrow airport, but then it was snowing like mad and we had all our emigrating luggage 2 sleepy kids, and all their kit to deal with. The metroploitan police were amazing, they escorted us to the front of the line, got us checked in ans upgraded our seats!!!

When we arrived in Oz, the hire car company would not let us use our carseats due to the regulations of them having the seperate strap at the back , but the ones they provided us with were awful and unsafe, they didnt provide adequate support or comfort, so we used our own anyway. Plus they wanted my 2 year old to be rear facing!!!

Long story short, one year in and we are still using our UK car seats. We saved ourselves a small fortune (they are double the price for less standards here IMHO!!) We have never been pulled up by anyone and our children feel safe and comfy in the back.

My opinion is take them with you, its only getting from the airport doors to the check in desk at both ends that you have the hassle and you can get airport assistance.

Hope thisi s useful

JC xxx

[niknjas]

Thanks and safe flight to you too

Niki