car seats for plane & rental cars - our first time

[Jenny]

our first disney trip was in jan. our DDs were 6 months & 2+ yr. at the time. we didn't rent a car then b/c we used a van service to & from the airport (came w/ booster & car seat) & disney busses. the van was a little nerveracking b/c the 2 almost 3 yr. old was in the booster seat (not old enough) & the baby, then 6 months & less than 20 lbs., was in a car seat, facing forward (not infant size & rearfacing) PLUS the new driver on the way back to the airport wasn't told that he needed them so we had nothing. i would have felt safer w/ their own seats. Anyway, we're headed back in may for a different trip - we're staying offsite this time & need a rental car. I'd like for them to have their own carseats plus I don't want to pay the extra $ if i don't have to for the rental carseats.

My questions are: 1. should i buy a Safety First tote'n'go portable car seat for the now 3 yr. old to use in the rental car? does anyone have experience w/ this seat? i guess if this doesn't work out, we could always bring hers & check it w/ the baggage. she doesn't need one on the plane (IMO) b/c she did fine w/out it in jan - she enjoys her space & using the tray, etc. 2. we're buying a plane seat for the now 10 month old & bringing her carseat. she's 20+ lbs & we're about to put her in a regular carseat. does it have to be turned in the rental car to face the rear - i believe that's the law here in CT until she's 1 yr. old - i'm going to confirm this w/ her doctor next week. i assume that she can face forward on the plane? thanks for any advice that you can offer.

 

[all4fun]

Well, I can't really answer your question about the Tote 'n Go car seat as I have never used it but I can answer your other questions. You should install the car seat rear-facing in the rental car for your 10 mos old. The rule is 1 year and 20lbs, but if your dc is in a convertible car seat most of those have rear-facing weight limits of 30-35 lbs depending on which one you buy. It is actually safer to keep them r/fing longer than one year. I've done quite a bit of research on it and found these sites if you want to read more about that: http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/StayRearFacing.aspx
At 20lbs according to the FAA's site Click here , you can install the car seat forward facing in the aircraft however your dc might be more comfortable rear-facing (because the seat will have a better recline than it would if f/fing) and there is also compelling arguments why rear-facing in the aircraft is safer for children: http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/airplaneRF.aspx

Anyway, hopefully that helps.

 

[tjmw2727]

IMHO the tote N go carseat is totally not worth the $$. We bought one and returned it asap. No matter what we could not install it properly, or at least to meet our comfort level! It slides around even with a locking clip, regargless of placement in the car and we tried it in both our cars. Once my dd managed in about 5 minutes during a parked in the driveway trial to get herself laying flat on the seat of the car! If you have the time to do a quick search here someone posted a link to a consumer report on it and it wasn't to good!

Our girls always did fine in the aircraft seat by 3ish and it was great to be able to use the tray as my 3yo's loved to color and eat snacks on it (the disposable place mats were great for this!). I would definately either gate check the CSR for the 3yo or check it through with luggage. BRU has a few great duffle's for CSR's.

For the baby - here in MA the law is 20 lbs or 1 year whichever comes first but if you are more comfortable keeping her rear facing she can do either in the air or in the car. I would also go4 with the ped's recommendation.

Here is a link I find usefull on the Florida carseat laws (pretty weak IMHO!).

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/HighwaySafetyGrantProgram/hsgp/HSGPAreas_OccupantFAQ.htm#Florida
Have a wonderful vacation!
TJ

 

[mommi97]

IMHO the tote N go carseat is totally not worth the $$. We bought one and returned it asap. No matter what we could not install it properly, or at least to meet our comfort level! It slides around even with a locking clip, regargless of placement in the car and we tried it in both our cars. Once my dd managed in about 5 minutes during a parked in the driveway trial to get herself laying flat on the seat of the car! If you have the time to do a quick search here someone posted a link to a consumer report on it and it wasn't to good!

Our girls always did fine in the aircraft seat by 3ish and it was great to be able to use the tray as my 3yo's loved to color and eat snacks on it (the disposable place mats were great for this!). I would definately either gate check the CSR for the 3yo or check it through with luggage. BRU has a few great duffle's for CSR's.

For the baby - here in MA the law is 20 lbs or 1 year whichever comes first but if you are more comfortable keeping her rear facing she can do either in the air or in the car. I would also go4 with the ped's recommendation.

Here is a link I find usefull on the Florida carseat laws (pretty weak IMHO!).

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/HighwaySafetyGrantProgram/hsgp/HSGPAreas_OccupantFAQ.htm#Florida
Have a wonderful vacation!
TJ

Thanks for that reply I was dreading having to bring a car seat for my 4 year old! In PA they have to be in a carseat til age 8. Needless to say my 7 year old will be HAPPY!

 

[Jenny]

thanks for all the advice!!

it's great to hear from someone who has actually tried the tote'n go before going out & buying it - i won't buy it. i'll bring carseats for both.

i'll check the 3 y.o.'s carseat w/ the luggage b/c i can't imagine carrying it to the gate. it'll be me & DH w/ the 2 strollers, diaper bag, carry-on bag & 1 carseat to get to the plane. carseats are cumbersome to carry but i think we'll manage one to the plane for the baby.

even getting into the airport w/ all the stuff is going to be a challenge - maybe we'll check the bags on the curb? what do people do w/ all this stuff plus push the strollers?

 

[tjmw2727]

Yikes you will have your hands full! Definately check your 3yo's carseat through with the luggage, I would consider checking one of the strollers through as well or bring a double instead of 2 singles. Otherwise maybe you can use a snugli or sling to carry the baby around the airport then the 3 yo can use the stroller. You can also use the stroller to haul the carseat when the 3yo wants to walk.

My sil has a carseat duffle that has rolling wheels like a roller suitcase - she loves it.

Most airports do allow curbside, get to the airport early as this will be your best bet.

I used a sling lots at WDW when my girls were babies, lots of lines and shows where the stroller isn't allowed and even a 6mo can get heavy.

Have Fun
TJ

eta - I just realized that a 6mo my still be using the infant "bucket" type seat. If so my sil used her dds in the stroller, not ideal for the day in the parks but a lifesaver for the airport.

 

[Jenny]

carseat issue: the baby will now be 10 months for our may trip....that's one of the problems for us....we're switching her into a "regular" convertible infant/toddler carseat & we're putting it rear-facing in the car. if she was in the infant carrier, it would have fit in the stroller - actually maybe not in the lightweight strollers that we bring on trips. anyway, i'm going to look into the carseat carrier/cover for the carseat that we're checking w/ the luggage. if the cover has wheels then maybe i'll buy 2 & we can use it for the baby's carseat - just for the sake of wheeling it to the plane. if not, then i'll have the 3 yr. old "help" me push her stroller w/ the baby's carseat balanced in the stroller seat - i guess. those carseats are so big & awkward - i can't imagine carrying it but i guess it'll be worth it. we have a double stroller but we found 2 singles to work for us on our jan. trip for various reasons - although i might get a stroller-connector this time for those few times that it would have been easier to have the 2 connected w/ 1 adult pushing. too much to think about.

i'm overwhelmed just thinking about the whole airport thing! But, i know that i want the carseats this time w/ a rental car so i'll make it happen.