taking baby out in USA...rules to follow...

Hello,

The main rule is that in a car, your child has to travel in a car-seat which is appropriate for his/ her age and weight. Of course, the car-seat must be secured properly with the seat belt to the seat of the car - it must NOT move at all when shaken; and then the child MUST be strapped-in (with a 5 point harness for very young children) inside the car-seat. It is against the law for the child to be sitting on someone's lap even if it is a very short trip. (If you don't have a car and you take the taxi, tell them while you book a taxi that you have a child; they will suggest what to do)

If you have any questions, talk to someone in a store which sells car-seats. They would be able to guide you about which sort of car-seat is right for your child - there are forward facing ones, backward facing ones, ones which can be used on the front passenger seat etc. Based on where the car seat is placed, the corresponding air-bag needs to be disabled. If the car seat is placed right next to a door, the child lock on that particular door must be activated so that the child can NEVER open the door from inside.

Alternatively, you could also go to your nearest police/ fire station for guidance on the laws.

When taking your child out in a stroller or baby carrier, I doubt if there are any laws/ rules except the common sense ones - strap the child securely; always use age appropriate stroller/ baby carriers; test the straps to ensure the child is secure and comfortable; use a rain cover/ foot-muff/ extra blankets if it is raining or too windy; you a parasol if your child is very small and the sun is shining directly on your child.