Taking toddler car seat on Ryanair - advice needed please...

[ejs]

I am worried about taking our car seat (maxi cosi for a 2.5 year old) on a Ryanair flight in case in gets damaged. I believe we have to check it in with our luggage at the check in desk and cannot take it to the gate.

Have others had positive/negative experiences of checking in their car seat with Ryanair?

Does anyone know if we can box it up to protect it more before checking it in?

Any advice welcome!

Thanks all.