How to keep kids comfortable in car seat & organized

[marieNJkitty]

My family will be taking the long drive to WDW soon. We are considering driving over night and I would like my kids to be as comfortable as possible. In the past, my DS's head slumps over in his car seat when he falls a sleep, so I was thinking about getting this http://www.amazon.com/RestUpRight-Pillow-Children-Ages-NAVY/dp/B000B8WCFM. Has anyone ever used this pillow? I am wondering if it is worth the money. Any other ideas?

Also, if anyone has any car organization tips I would really appreciate it! Thanks!!!

 

[lilybrooke14]

I don't know about the neck support, but I've seen these car organizers at BBRU that sit next to the carseat.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2585672

I would think those would be handy. We've got one of these for DD

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2585667

I just clip it on one side, and she can put it on to color or play with her cars, and push it to the side if it bothers her.

Good luck on the trip!

 

[Astro Orbiter]

I don't know how big your 2-year old is, but consider turning the carseat back around for night-time sleeping - it will give him more support and stop the head bobbles. We used to give DD a little pillow to prop her head against the side of the carseat. She could never have used one of those bone-things as Dolly got cuddled right up to her face.

As for organization, we use several things. My favorite is a cheap-o cupholder that secures between the window and door trim. Think 1970s. Great for water bottles, sippy cups, Gerber take-n-toss cups, and a regular disposable cup. They were .99 at my Target, in the automotive dept. Snacks go into Gerber cups, crayons go into disposible cups, you can even shove small stuffed friends into them if they want to see out the window.

Best of luck!

 

[marieNJkitty]

Thank you for the suggestions! I will give them a try.

 

[all4fun]

The Fisher Price tray table is great because it's lightweight and it not only straps to the car seat in a way that doesn't interfere with the installation, but it also unsnaps on the side so it doesn't have to be completely removed when unstrapping the child from the seat. About the other item that goes under the seat - not recommended because it could interfere with the installation of the seat and could affect how the seat performs in a crash (not to mention, it will also void the car seat warranty and void mfgr liability). (see Mfgr statements on aftermarket products).

I've read pretty good reviews of the toddler coddler here. It attaches to the vehicle headrest and doesn't interfere with the harness on the seat or the installation so it would be very safe to use. I have read it works well. I don't know about the one you posted a link to ... looks like it is intended to work with a booster seat but not a 5pt harness seat.

another thing - if your 2 yr old is riding in a convertible seat that can rear-face and he's still with in the height limit (head is min 1" below the top of shell) and weight limit, then he could ride r/fing which would give him better recline, place to prop his feet, and the latest research shows this is 5x safer than ffing at this age. My ds rode r/fing most of the time at that age (he rode f/fing occasionally in MIL's car) and he never complained. He was actually a lot more comfy r/fing IMO. Just some food for thought.

hth!

 

[PollyannaMom]

We have a pillow that's shaped like a big seven, and straps to the seatbelt. DS7 loves it. It is called the Seatbelt Snoozer, and I got it from a catalog called One Step Ahead.