Flying, car seat yeah or nay?

[4disneygenerations]

How many take their car seats onto the plane with a 20 month old? First time we flew with a 17 month old we used the car seat, as a matter of fact we used it until she was 3. I just don't remember seeing very many car seats on flights where I know there have been many toddlers? Just wondering?

 

[Mommee]

We did! Dd was quite content for all her plane rides since she was so used to being strapped into the car seat. We would book our flights close to nap time and she'd snuggle right in and sleep.

 

[FreeTime]

We always took our daughters car seats.

 

[pigletgirl]

Nope, we're not bring DD's seat. We aren't renting a car and you cannot use a car seat on DME, so we collectively decided to not take it.

 

[Dasha Hermosilla]

We did! Dd was quite content for all her plane rides since she was so used to being strapped into the car seat. We would book our flights close to nap time and she'd snuggle right in and sleep.

That's exactly us. Kid was used to a car seat and behaved better in one.

 

[nmrgrl55]

We will be taking a seat for our daughter who will be turning 3 during the b trip. We are renting a car so will need the seat anyway, and it well be a good way to contain her on the plane

 

[epsmith921]

We stayed at a Disney hotel instead of swan partially so we didn't have to bring our 2.5 year old's seat. Neither would
Have really worked on the plane and we were not about to check either and risk damage.

It is even more a favorite vacation destination because it was so easy. Of course kiddo decided to use the belt even on the magical express because we can't move in the car until everyone's strapped in!! It was had the shoulder belt and all so it was a bit ridiculous. Thank goodness she's big for her age.

 

[EskiLvr]

We flew halfway across the country with an 11 month old and a 25 month old. (My boys are 14 months apart). We schlepped a double stroller and two car seats through two airports each way, and I'm so happy we did... The boys were so accustomed to their car seats (and for the 2 year old, how he was expected to behave when in it) for longer car trips that it wasn't a big deal at all.

Side benefit: when little legs get restless, if they're in a car seat, they probably will not be able to reach the seat in front of them.

 

[DopeyDame]

The AAP, FAA, NTSB, flight attendant and pilot unions all recommend that all passengers - including babies and toddlers - be appropriately strapped into a seat. For babies and toddlers that means a carseat or CARES harness during takeoff, landing,, and any time the seat belt sign is on.

Don't trust random strangers on the internet for safety advice, but the experts all agree your small child is safer in a carseat when flying.
http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/safetyalerts/SA_015.pdf

 

[bumbershoot]

I was still using the carseat on the plane when DS was 2 and a bit over.

Of course kiddo decided to use the belt even on the magical express because we can't move in the car until everyone's strapped in!! It was had the shoulder belt and all so it was a bit ridiculous. Thank goodness she's big for her age.

Not all ME buses have seatbelts, FYI. She might be surprised next time!

Side benefit: when little legs get restless, if they're in a car seat, they probably will not be able to reach the seat in front of them.

I found the exact opposite to be true....

 

[Corey127]

Going in August with DD 2 y 5 months and def taking the carseat. She is used to it and will probably sleep. She would be way too wiggly and trying to get up without it, not to mention I don't feel a lap belt would secure her in case of turbulence.

 

[Gracie09]

We did when she was 16 months flying. It made the trip so much more enjoyable! She knew she had to sit in the seat. It was her size so she was comfortable. She napped just like in a car. The only problem was she was rear facing in the car still and we forward faced the seat on the plane so she was not a happy camper when we rear faces the seat in the car again.

When she was three we got a cares harness. It was actually a bit more difficult to set up IMO than the seat. But it kept her in although I don't think she was as comfortable

 

[castle1]

The AAP, FAA, NTSB, flight attendant and pilot unions all recommend that all passengers - including babies and toddlers - be appropriately strapped into a seat. For babies and toddlers that means a carseat or CARES harness during takeoff, landing,, and any time the seat belt sign is on.

Don't trust random strangers on the internet for safety advice, but the experts all agree your small child is safer in a carseat when flying.
http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/safetyalerts/SA_015.pdf

Totally agree

 

[PrincesCJM]

I flew with DS as a lap infant at 13 months and swore to never do that again. It was too difficult to keep him contained and entertained. We will be flying again when he will be 2 years 10 months old and will be using his car seat. I'm not sure we'd be able to get him to sit in the seat the whole time without it. And, as others have said, he is used to the car seat and knows what to expect with it. We will be renting a car from the Alamo car care center after using Magical Express.

I'm dreading the journey through the airport though. 3 adults, 1 child, 1 stroller, 1 carseat, and at least 3 (probably 4) carry-on bags. At least we have long layovers and will be at the airport with (hopefully) plenty of time to spare.

 

[HulaMinnie]

We're flying to WDW at the end of the month with our 2yo and debated a LOT about whether to bring a carseat or buy the Cares harness (70 bucks for something we weren't sure would work for our kid even when using people's tips, yikes!). We're opting for a carseat because if there's any chance of him napping, it would be in his carseat. Our flight is schedule a little before his nap time, so we're hoping we'll settle him in and he'll konk out. If not, at least he is restrained and can't wander the aisles, since he is a very active boy. We're renting a car when we arrive but we'll be taking DME on the way home, so I'm guessing they'll throw his carseat below the bus with the luggage. So, yes, you have to lug the carseat around, but the peace of mind outweighs that inconvenience for us! They also sell little carseat caddies that roll to make it easier. Not sure how that works going through airport security, though. Good luck!

 

[craftymissbeth]

For our trip to WDW in 2009 we took one of those car seats that turn into a stroller for our son (who was 3 at the time). It was pretty much a pain. It was bulky and I could just roll it down the plane aisle so I had to carry it over my head... while trying to navigate a 3 yo alone.... all the while bonking passengers limbs. It was awesome for at the airport and for the rental car, but on the plane it was more trouble than it was worth.

Not that you're taking that kind

 

[pooch]

Took DGS when he was 2 1/2. brought a car seat. DH got on first with EBCI. By the time DGS & I boarded (family boarding), he was able to hop right in, fell asleep 10 min after takeoff for the whole flight. I was surprised we seemed to be the only ones using a car seat

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

We are not using a car seat for our DD (13 months). I know all the facts about safety, and DH and I have talked about it extensively. She will freak out if something scares her and she can't get to one of us. She also does not sleep well in her car seat front facing and she is VERY vocal when she isn't comfortable. She is at that awkward height where she is too tall for rear facing but isn't tall enough for the forward facing headrests to be comfortable when sleeping. So we are going to hold on to her tight and pray for a smooth flight. Next year she will get her own seat because she will be big enough for the seatbelt.

 

[andigomeep]

We are not using a car seat for our DD (13 months). I know all the facts about safety, and DH and I have talked about it extensively. She will freak out if something scares her and she can't get to one of us. She also does not sleep well in her car seat front facing and she is VERY vocal when she isn't comfortable. She is at that awkward height where she is too tall for rear facing but isn't tall enough for the forward facing headrests to be comfortable when sleeping. So we are going to hold on to her tight and pray for a smooth flight. Next year she will get her own seat because she will be big enough for the seatbelt.

There isn't such a thing a thing as too tall to rearface at her age. The new minimum recommended age to rearface until is 2. For what it's worth my 41 inch 3.5 yo is still very happily rearfacing. And you are allowed to RF on a plane, although we FF on a plane at his age just because it's easier.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

There isn't such a thing a thing as too tall to rearface at her age. The new minimum recommended age to rearface until is 2. For what it's worth my 41 inch 3.5 yo is still very happily rearfacing. And you are allowed to RF on a plane, although we FF on a plane at his age just because it's easier.

There are some other reasons why she doesn't rear-face anymore, and we have discussed it with her pediatrician, but I appreciate the input.