Can anyone help me find info about traveling with little ones to other countries?

Question

We are going to Italy soon. I am having the hardest time finding info about the car seat laws . Has anyone traveled out of the USA recently with a small child?? Did you have a hard time with car seat laws? Or even finding car seats once you get there? We will also be taking our dog with us? by chance did you as well??

Answer 1

We went to Europe in the spring and ended up buying a car seat there for my 30 month old son from Carrefour. I would advise not dragging your car seat overseas, it's a hassle and for that long trans-Atlantic flight I'd rather have all the seat space available for my son to sleep in rather than occupy it with a car seat.

Good luck and no worries.  

Answer 2

I have taken my son to Spain & Germany.  The laws regarding car seats are that they must be EU approved.  I have a Britax & a Fisher Price car seat, I called both & niether are EU approved.  I took one of them with me & used it.  No problem.  Of course, we are good drivers, follow all the laws so we were never pulled over!

One trip we did borrow a car seat, but I have tons of family & friends there, so that was easy.  My suggestion is to buy a carseat travel bag & take one with you.  That way you KNOW the car seat, how it works, how to install, and that it is safe for your child.  Car seats are NOT counted as checked luggage, by the way.

Can't help you with the dog...I know to take a dog to Spain you need to have a current copy of all the shots, etc...  I don't know what Italy requires.

Good luck & Have FUN!!!

ps - I always check the car seat with my luggage!  As I said, it is NOT counted as a checked bag.