Appropriate child restraint for lightweight DD6

[peg2001]

The recent thread concerning properly restraining the under-2's during flight lead me to researching requirements and recommendations. Everyone from the airlines, to the FAA, to the AAP strongly recommends forward facing restraint seats for children up to 40 pounds. After 40 pounds, they recommend using the plane's seat belt.

Well, my older DD is 6.5 years old, 44 inches tall, and only 37 pounds. In the car, we have her in a high-back belt-positioning booster seat, since she grew too tall for the harness straps. Booster seats without the harness are not allowed in flight. Other than stuffing her with food to get her over the 40 pound mark, is there anything else we can do to make air flights as safe as possible for her?

Peggy

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I would not worry about that 3#, use the seat belt, you should be just fine.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I agree. While I certainly think the best route is to go with what you are using in the vehicle since it fits her best and is probably safest- I wouldn't go buy an FAA approved carseat that would fit her just for the flight because of 3lbs. The lbs thing is really a recommendation based on avg of most children- you really should take into account height (and maybe even age also) too though.
For instance- my 2yr old weighs 32lbs (or maybe more by now- she has been getting chunkier the past couple of months LOL) That's what they are basing the 40lbs on.... avg for younger age children.
Same token- my 5.5yr old has just in the past 6mo or so broke the 40lbs mark (he's short but also thinning out bigtime) -and when he's six if he would have been right around 40lbs, I doubt I would worry about him needing a carseat on the flight. Because even though he's short for his age- he's still taller than most 4 to 5yr olds- yanno?
I don't think 3# will make a difference in this case- since your daughter is not really young (ie: like if someone had a 2yr old that weighed 37# and was wondering if they should just bypass the seat- I'd be skeptical about that -for that age/height) and she's too tall for a up to 40lbs carseat already also.

 

[peg2001]

Thank you for the input! I had been assuming that at 44" and 6.5 years, she would be fine with the seatbelt but with all my research stressing the 40 pound criteria, I started to worry.

Peggy

 

[ReadyForDisney2003]

I would still take a booster for her in the rental car!

Don't forget you are getting into some vehicle after you arrive at the airport. My DD is 37 pounds and I still have her in a harnessed seat that I bring on the airplane. But, my older child is in a belt positioning booster that I carry on and use in the rental car.

I would be worried about putting a 37 pound child in a car with a shoulder belt and NO booster. Bring a booster. My experience with the Right Start booster ($20) is GREAT. My DS7 prefers that over the high back boosters we have.

 

[peg2001]

Thank you for the reminder, Readyfordisney. We do plan to check her booster seat for our rental car.

Peggy

 

[crzy4dsny]

The reason for a booster seat from what I understand is to lift a child up in the seat for proper use of the shoulder belt. When they sit in a seat w/o a booster the shoulder belt is to high on their neck. This could cause more injuries in an accident. The booster puts them at the right height for the shoulder belt, or brings it down to them. You wouldn't need this on a plane because they only have lap belts.

 

[ReadyForDisney2003]

You do not need a belt positioning booster on a plane, but you DO need one in a rental car. If the child is between 40 pounds and recommended 70 pounds, a booster is needed. My DS is around 60 pounds and I still take his booster with me everywhere we go. He does not use it on the plane, but does use it in the rental car.

My DD is 4 1/2 under 40 pounds and still uses a harnessed seat. I bring that onto the plane and use it there AND I use it in the rental car.

 

[buffett010]

You might want to check out the Leaps and Bounds website - I believe it's just www.leapsandboundscatalog.com. They carry an approved adapter for your child that's cloth and works with the car's seat belt system to make them work correctly for your child. I will be buying one to use in the towncar that's picking us up form the airport. It is small enough to put in your carryon and costs about $25-30. Lots better for us as I hate to lug those booster seats around, but yet I want my child (4 yrs. at vacation time and only 37 lbs.) to be safe. Good luck and enjoy your vacation!

 

[peg2001]

I found the product you mention. It is only good to 40" so it wouldn't work for me.

Peggy

 

[buffett010]

Oops! Sorry - guess what? It won't work for me, either! My son is tall for his age, so he's over the 40" limit, too! Maybe it will help someone else, though. Guess I'll just have to have the towncar company put one in for us.
Enjoy your trip!