Restraint system on plane for 2.5 yo?

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Hessie628

Mouseketeer

Joined

May 5, 2001

• Nov 27, 2015

• #1

Leaving for WDW this week. My DD is about 2.5 yo and we purchased a ticket for her. Do we need to bring a car seat or CARES restraint system with us or is she allowed to just use the seatbelt? We plan on having her car seat, but I am doubtful she will sit in it without throwing a fit the entire flight, so I was going to check it at the gate.

 

craigkerstiens

Mouseketeer

Joined

Aug 11, 2014

• Nov 28, 2015

• #2

Having her sit in a seat without the carseat or other restraint beyond the standard seat belt is completely fine.

 

pd1138

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jun 12, 2014

• Nov 28, 2015

• #3

We flew three times with a 2.5 year old and have used only the seatbelt. My kids were fine keeping the seatbelt buckled the entire time. So you don't *have* to use a car seat or harness. But, it depends on your kid. The last trip I had a one and a half year old and had the cares harness. She is more of a squirmer than my other three were and the cares harness worked for her.

 

supersnoop

What time is the three o'clock parade?

Joined

Nov 13, 2013

• Nov 28, 2015

• #4

Buckling a child into a car seat usually makes them realize how they're supposed to behave on the plane. Does your daughter usually throw a fit in her car seat? There's no real safety benefit, but the "trained behavior" might make it worthwhile. Plus, you don't have to worry about if the seat was abused while being loaded under the plane.

 

wilkeliza

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 1, 2013

• Nov 28, 2015

• #5

As long as you are confident she will keep her seat belt buckled you can do just the regular one. If she is going to unbuckle it herself then a cares may be a good option if you can still get one. It may seem harsh but they will hold a plane until everyone is buckled including toddlers. She also needs to know not to play with the belt in case of turbulance etc.

 

KrazeeK120

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 29, 2012

• Nov 28, 2015

• #6

It may depend on the kid, but I'd use the car seat. She is used to traveling in the car seat and may have a sense of comfort being in her own car seat, especially since flying is an unfamiliar experience to her.

 

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StitchesGr8Fan

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 17, 2009

• Nov 28, 2015

• #7

We just flew with our 2 year old last week and used the regular seatbelt. We always buckle up at home so she sees us set that example and whe was great about staying in her seat with the belt buckled. She actually reminded us the instant she sat down that she needed to be buckled in, when we were still trying to get situated!

 

bumbershoot

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 5, 2007

• Nov 29, 2015

• #8

I'm assuming this is her first flight? I personally would use the carseat. The plain old lap belt, with a curious first-timer, might not be the best combo ever.

Hessie628 said:

We plan on having her car seat, but I am doubtful she will sit in it without throwing a fit the entire flight

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I, too wonder why she would have a fit about it? She sits in it in the car, yes?

My own issue with the carseat when DS was over two is that it brought his legs too close to the seat in front, and it was a battle to keep him from pushing on the seat. But by the time I dropped the use of the carseat (on the plane!) he was a seasoned traveler and I could trust him with the lapbelt, and to keep it on the whole flight except for when we got up to use the restroom.

 

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CarrieR

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 10, 2008

• Nov 29, 2015

• #9

The concern would more be with potential damage to the car seat from gate checking it. If you're going to have it anyways, use it - safer in the air and on the ground after.

 

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alaska8

Mouseketeer

Joined

Dec 2, 2007

• Nov 30, 2015

• #10

Just a reminder, if you chose to use a seat belt on a little one make sure it fits nice and snugly around them. Should the aircraft "stop" suddenly if its not tight then the child "submarines" under the belt and only stops when the seat belt hits the neck. I am amazed at how many parents sit there belted in tightly in turbulence and for takeoff and landing yet there child is really not secure because the belt is so loose around them