CARES Harness - 15 Month Old

[poohbear158]

Has anyone used the CARES harness for a 15 month old? We purchased one, but I'm not sure if my daughter is too little for it yet. She is 15 months old and weighs 22-23 pounds. I know it states on the CARES harness website that they should be at least one year of age and weigh 22 pounds.

 

[Cedarmom]

She's pretty little, but if you aren't going to need the car seat on the other end, it is a better option than holding her or just using the lap belt. I'm not sure if I can post pics or not, but I'll try. It isn't showing up in the preview. ugh.

Anyway, I used it with my just turned 2 yo (as in still 24 mo ) when he was 26 lbs. It was an overnight flight so we just used it to give him a break from the car seat periodically. He slid down pretty easily and I could see that being a huge problem with a 15 mo.

FTR, it worked fabulously with the 4 year old at right at 40 lbs at the time, and I'll be using it for the 3.5 year old (31 lbs) in December.

ETA: Yay! I got it! Anyway, you can see how far down he'd slid. The red should be right above his shoulders. The lap belt was as tight as it would go.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I agree with Paula. I'm a CPST also, and I would personally take a lightweight car seat at that age/weight. The CARES is better when they're a bit bigger. I used one when my son was 2.5 and a little over 3 and that was perfect. However, if you absolutely will not use a car seat, then the CARES would be preferable over the seat belt alone or holding her on your lap.

Have a great trip!

 

[tabrizia]

We have one and I have tried it once with DS when he was 27 months and 29 pounds. He was still too small for it to fit well, I ended up taking the car seat we keep at my parents for the flight back because it was so bad on the way there. It didn't help that DS could unbuckle the airline belts, but it barely fit him even on the lowest setting at the time. I would bring a car seat for a 15 month 23 pound child.

We are planning on trying the CARES harness again this weekend when we fly with DS, since he'll be 30 months ( 2 1/2) and is about 31 pounds and 36 1/2 inches. I am hoping it will work this time.

 

[frtchr]

We used ours for the first time when DD was 16 months old. She has always hated her car seat, and I wasn't about to do another flight with her screaming to get out. We strapped her into the CARES harness, and she was as calm and docile as can be. I have a picture of her just sitting in her seat flipping through the in-flight magazine like she had been flying for years and years! It fit her well, and she loved having a little independance.

 

[Colleen27]

Please post back and let us know how it worked out! We're planning to use one for our youngest, who will be 17mo when we travel. She hates her carseat but loves being in a stroller, shopping cart, etc. so I'm hoping the CARES restaint will be less objectionable for her, but I am a little worried about some of the things I've read about smaller children slipping down easily.

 

[Momma2dakidz]

Little suggestion.....have the childsit on a piece of rug gripper, or some other antislip grippy stuff. I love DYCEM mats for this stuff. Most Occupational therapists and Home medical supply places carry it. Its not cheap but its very sticky and works super for this!

http://www.dycem-ns.com/