How to take a taxi with your baby in NYC

I have yet to take a taxi with my little peanut but unless I want to be confined to the upper east side in the cold months to come, I'm going to have to be brave and hop into a cab to meet friends for lunch, playdates or just to explore new neighborhoods through the eyes of my daughter.  I like to think of myself as an adventurous parent but safety comes first and in the last two months I have learned that traveling anywhere with a baby takes organization and patience.  

I have a Bugaboo Cameleon which is great for long leisurely strolls and a Snap N Go for convenience - it really is the best little invention out there.  I also have a Graco Snugride infant car seat which snaps right into the Snap N Go (and I believe most infant car seats do).  I use the Snap N Go when we go to restaurants because it is so light and with a baby under 6 months, the easiest way to eat at restaurants is to sit in a booth with the car seat next to you, or place the car seat on a high chair turned upside down.  The Snap N Go stays up front.

Similarly the Snap N Go comes to the rescue for taxi rides - it's super light, closes in one motion and folds neatly in the trunk of a cab.  You then take your car seat, face it towards the back and strap it in with the seatbelt (obviously without the base).  If you are going to the airport, many of the car service companies do have a car seat base if you make the request in advance.  I wouldn't recommend taking a cab with a Baby Bjorn or Ergo or any other baby carrier but have seen it done.  Apparently, NYC taxi cabs are exempt from baby carseat and seatbelt requirements but we all know how cabbies drive and if you go this route you are entering at your own risk.  

Most stroller systems like Bugaboo, Orbit and Uppa Baby have car seat adapters but depending on how easily they fold (I can't do the Bugaboo with one hand), you are better off with a Snap N Go.