Car seat for air travel

[LilyWDW]

The OP asked for opinions on what car seat to use, how to transport seats and strollers through the airport, the cost of child fares, etc., not for statistics on the safety of flying with a lap baby.

Actually, the OP did ask about IF they should purchase the child a seat in the first place.

Should we get DD her own seat and does anyone know how much infant fares run through Southwest?

Thus the post you quoted as well other responses that pointed out how much safe the child would be in their own seat are right on topic.

 

[puffkin]

We fly a lot with our kids and we take our own car seats but we do check them. Both DH and I also fly fairly frequently for work. We either did lap baby or got them their own seat on the plane. It worked for us and I never felt that they were unsafe.

I know the popular opinion on these boards is that you should buy a seat and use the carseat on the plane. I will say that we very rarely see carseats on our flights, yet we see tons and tons come up at baggage claim. I would absolutely take the seat to use in Florida, but for the plane I would do whatever you are most comfortable with.

 

[DopeyDame]

Actually, the OP did ask about IF they should purchase the child a seat in the first place.

Should we get DD her own seat and does anyone know how much infant fares run through Southwest?

Thus the post you quoted as well other responses that pointed out how much safe the child would be in their own seat are right on topic.

Thanks!

 

[bookem]

I was able to buy straps for our car seat that made into a back pack. We always bring our own car seats and Stroller, rentals always seem to break and are harder to push around. Our last trip our youngest was 2 and we rented an airline approved 4 point harness from ebay, best thing ever! It uses the seat belt and straps around the seat to hold them in the seat. It was safe, plus it stopped her from wanting to roam. http://kidsflysafe.com/ don't buy unless you are a frequent flyer, you can rent on ebay.

 

[Gracie09]

DH and I are travelling to WDW with our baby girl for the 1st time on Halloween, DD will be 1 year old. This is our first baby and first time travelling with an infant. I keep debating back and forth whether we should bring our own stroller and car seat. I am pretty set on renting a stroller in Orlando and bringing a carrier for the airport. I just can't decide on bringing our own car seat or renting one through the rental car company. I've read many many posts on how awful car seats can be through rental car companies. For those who have travelled with infants: do you recommend bringing your own car seat? And do you have any tips on making it easier to carry all this cargo through the airport???? Are there any good products to purchase to transport your car seat through the airport? Should we get DD her own seat and does anyone know how much infant fares run through Southwest? According to the Southwest website, if your car seat is larger than 16 inches in width, it may not fit. I have the Graco 4ever All-in-one which is really big and bulky. I'd hate to get to the gate and not have my car seat fit in the seat.... is there an affordable good quality car seat that anyone can recommend to buy just for travel?

Op asked three questions. I guess someone could simply say yes, yes and yes. But that really doesn't help does it? Sorry four questions, so another yes.

 

[Jenna319]

We are renting a car so I think I will bring our own. We will need a 2nd car seat for DH's car at home once she grows out of the infant seat anyway so I will look into the Scenera. I couldn't find them on Babies R US, are these only available through Amazon? It is probably a good idea to bring our own stroller too. I'm thinking of purchasing an umbrella stroller rather than bring our big travel system. Thank you for all the comments!! I may have to get my husband his own diaper bag too to carry-on all this stuff!!!

 

[Muskrat191]

The Scenera Next should be available at Walmart (in the US -- I'm Canadian) for under $50. It is the newer version of the Scenera. It allows children to rear-face longer, and can be installed more upright once the child can sit up unassisted (American Academy of Pediatrics recommends rear facing until at least 2 year old and until the height/weight limits of the seat). It is still lightweight and a great travel seat.

 

[Lauren in NC]

Yup, we bought a clearance color of the Scenera online at Walmart and had it shipped to our local store for free. I found it easiest to use our baby carrier (ergo when he was little, Tula now) through the airport as it keeps him contained, lol. We used bungees to attach the car seat to our rolling luggage.

 

[Jenna319]

Any recommendations on a brand for lightweight umbrella strollers?

 

[HCinKC]

Any recommendations on a brand for lightweight umbrella strollers?

My recommendation would be to try some out in person. You can get the super simple $20 ones at WM, Target, BRU, BBB, but they do not have a sunshade or basket. They can also be difficult to push for taller folks, and they have smaller wheels. It's not to say it won't work, but if you think you will be getting good use of it beyond Disney, I would opt for something more along the lines of a lightweight Chicco, Maclaren, etc. There are budget friendly options that offer a sunshade, basket, and more comfortable push. It's good to check various sites for clearance colors. Stores even have them. I often see clearanced models at BRU and BBB. In fact, I recently saw a City Mini clearance color at our BRU for $90, crazy deal for a new one! And don't forgot you can also use the 20% off coupon on lots of brands at BBB.

 

[kboo]

The Maclaren VOLO is the lightest "name brand" umbrella stroller. It comes with a rain cover, sunshade and basket, but does not recline. It is sturdy as heck. We use it to go miles and miles in NYC, and have taken it (and gate checked it) on 10+ trips. We use it as a carry-on luggage cart in the airport now.

Also it's around 8 lbs and you can sling it over your shoulder, folded up.

 

[Habbott]

I definitely recommend having a plane seat and a car seat for kiddo. We just got back from our vacation, and I can tell you, we were happy to have a car seat for our kiddo. We were meeting up with my parents, so I thought it would be good just in case. Well, we ended up switching hotels and needing a cab.

As for stroller, something with a good sun canopy would be my recommendation. we have/had a britax one and I wish it had a larger canapy.

 

[AlexisMaxMommy]

Whatever you decide, make sure you get an FAA approved device.