Rental car car seats.

[VbChristy]

For our upcoming trip we need/want a rental car for for 1 night. How are car sears provided by rental car companies? Does anyone regulate them? Our baby will be 5 months old. Thanks.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Personally, I would bring your own. There's no way of knowing the car seat history (whether it's been in any accidents, etc). I just wouldn't feel comfortable not knowing that.

 

[GagesMama]

I also wouldn't trust a rented car seat. It might be a pain in the butt, but I'd bring my own.

 

[VbChristy]

So anyone have actual experience with the car seats?

Actually a car seat check friend of mine while she recommends bringing our own seat, she said it wouldn't be the end of the world to use the rental car seats.

 

[Carriemel]

OK, here's the reality of rental car seats.

When they're not in use, they're generally in a pile in the garage or outside the rental car office.

There is NO telling what's been spilled into/on them, including puke, poop and pee.

As a previous poster mentioned, there's no telling if they've been in an accident, which could make them incredibly unsafe.

There may be no instruction manual to put them in the car.

Parts of the car seat may be broken, the straps might not be situated correctly.

What I'm getting at here is that it's not at all worth it to use a rental seat, especially not for a 5 month old baby. You want all the safety precautions you can. I'm not at all sure that you're going to find rental seats your best bet.

Here's a mom's posting as to why.

http://www.blogher.com/think-twice-renting-car-seat-your-child

 

[Julie711]

We rented a car seat last November for a day to visit universal from Disney. We actually rented 2, one booster for my oldest (5) & a forward facing for my then 12 month old & both car seats were very clean. I believe they were $10 each.

 

[amylevan]

I've never done it, so I can't speak with any authority, but what about renting from a baby equipment rental place (like A Baby's Best Friend)? I did a quick google search for Orlando car seat rentals and a handful popped up.

 

[TwinkleKS]

Rental car seats are iffy at best. I've seen situations where car seats are reserved and boosters are all they have, where they have one car seat and you need ,more, etc. IMO it isn't worth it. Plus, if you are flying you really should have your baby in a seat not on your lap anyway.