I need feedback on my carseat dilemma solution!

[WDWorBUST]

First has anyone rented a carseat or booster from A Baby's Best Friend. I have went to their site and they appear to be very clean and would be sufficient. I didn't like the description of a T bar on the carseat but since the booster seat is a 5 point harness I thought I would go with that one. Now here is my logic....and if I'm not thinking of something please tell me -that is why I'm asking DD will be almost 4 when we go to WDW in September (a month and a half shy of it) - and we were initially planning on using ME to avoid the carseat hassle and because rental car rates were out of sight. Well we can now get a rental car for a decent price and I have always been leary of not having transportation. But that opens up the carseat can of worms. I really don't want to have to get our home carseat through security and I'm really not comfortable checking it (and even if I messed with getting it through security I would gate check it because it puts her legs too close to the seat in front of her so it really isn't worth the hassle of security when we can't even use it) - especially after the shape I got one of my suitcases back in last time. I know she isn't ready for a regular seatbelt positioning booster - but ABBF's booster is a 5 point harness with some side molding - similar to a Regent, but not quite as big. I'm not sure what brand/model ABBF has I plan on asking though. So here's the plan...DD and I take ME to the resort where the seat will be delivered. We use it all week and we take ME back to the airport after dropping off the seat at luggage storage. So do you see any holes in my theory of use??

 

[thunderbug548]

Where would you picking up your rental car? Do you really need a rental? I've stayed on site a few times and we've never had a need for a car. And honestly, for the price of that car seat rental, you could buy a brand new 5pt harnessed seat from Walmart (Scenera) and bring it with you. I know you don't want the hassle but I'd much rather be safe with a newer seat than sorry with a seat you know nothing about (how it was handled, cleaned, age, etc)

 

[WDWorBUST]

You know I had thought about that.....and we have looked at some brand new ones. I was even tempted to buy one and have it shipped there and leave it. But from what I have read about ABBF on these boards they are very very clean and a very reputable source. Of course my biggest concern is they can't KNOW 100% that a seat wasn't involved in an accident. We are renting at the airport...but DD & I will take ME and DH will pick up the rental alone. I don't think we HAVE to have a rental car - and we were planning on not having one. But for whatever reason not having one makes me uneasy.

 

[tanyaandallie]

Well, this is jmo but I would not rent. You don't know the history of the seat, you don 't know how to use the seat, you know nothing about the seat.

I would also not recommend a Scenera unless you actually go and try her out in one. Very likely she is too big for a Scenera. There are a few other combination booster seats that you could try depending on how much she weighs and what her torso height is.

If it were me, I'd take her seat from home or buy her an alternate seat to take with you.

 

[LilGMom]

If you are definately getting a rental car have you checked to see if you can rent a car seat from the car rental company? I'd put more trust into thinking that their carseats have not been abused over the other company (not sure but I'm thinking they'd have a bigger liability). I personally wouldn't be comfortable riding from the airport to WDW without my young child being in a carseat. My six yr. old ds is still in a highback seatbelt positioning seat and my two year old will be in a five point until he is at least 50 lbs.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Okay - DD and I will be taking Disney's Magical Express (ME - maybe I should have put DME). They don't even have seatbelts to use. I would NEVER take my DD in a car without an approved child safety seat.

Okay now with that said - From what I have read about car rental companies there is no way I would ever consider getting one of theirs....especially at their prices. I have read several reports here about picking through a pile of seats in a "closet". About seats being outdated, etc.

That is why my question was if anyone had used ABBF for carseats. There are pages and pages of posts about people renting full-size cribs from them with glowing reports of how happy they were with the product & service.

Sorry if I sound testy - but my daughters safety is my #1 concern. I wouldn't own two Britax Marathons if it wasn't. (I'm not saying they are the best or that others aren't safe - but after reading repeated reports about them I caved and spent the money for them because they repeatedly got excellent safety reviews with very few negative ones). That's why I don't want to check her carseat. I know we have all seen checked luggage. What kind of damage could they do to a seat - whatever kind of seat it may be?? The way they toss luggage around they could do damage that is not apparent to the eye and you might not know it until/unless the seat were to fail.

I would still like to know if anyone has had first hand experience with ABBF and carseats. And I apologize for getting cranky - I truly do appreciate any and all feedback. I want to have things pointed out to me that I might not have thought of already.

 

[Colinsmom]

How much does she weigh? How tall is she? She could very well be too heavy/tall for the harnessed boosters that ABBF carries; if she doesn't fit in a Scenera, I doubt that she'd fit in one of their seats harnessed.

If she's too big for the Scenera (I'd do this before a rental, if she fits), how about a RideSafer Travel Vest? You can tuck it in your carry-on, and you'd have it for future trips.

I have a big 4yo and am not sure yet what we'll do for our December trip for him; we also hope to rent a car. He rides in a Regent at home but no way are we checking that on a plane!

 

[WDWorBUST]

She's not too heavy for the harnessed booster right now and I can't imagine she will by in a month in a half - but that could happen (hadn't thought about a growth spurt ) She currently is wavering between 36 & 37 pounds and she is between 40 1/2 & 41 inches tall barefoot. I know the simple solution is just not to rent a car.....but I'm having trouble with that. I wish I knew why I'm having trouble with that - I mean it would save us the carseat headache AND money.

 

[CindyCharming]

I have to agree with the other posters, I'd be leery about renting a carseat. I've heard wonderful things about ABBF, I'm sure all their things are clean and whatnot, but I just wouldn't be comfortable using a rental carseat. Personally, I've both checked my daughter's carseat and brought it on the plane and I've had no problems.

 

[CindyCharming]

Sorry, wanted to add, if you plan on renting a vehicle, but don't think you'll be using it or won't be using it much, maybe consider buying a high-back, belt-positioning booster for that "just in case" senario? A Graco Turbobooster for instance, pretty much folds in half and there is nothing that can be damaged from being checked at the airport. Let your daughter know you are just using it for this trip and she will continue to use her carseat at home. You could even sit in the back with her to make sure she sitting up properly.

 

[WDWorBUST]

It's funny you suggest that - I was going to do just that (actually get a Britax Parkway and have it shipped to the resort) but responses to my post about it is what made me leary of it. My thought was I could use it there the few times we might need to and then that way it was one she could use longer than her current seats. Is the main concern with a belt position booster for a younger child that they won't sit correctly?

 

[tjmw2727]

This is a tough one - so I will throw out my experience and ideas

ITA about not renting a carseat from the rental agencies, we did once and used it for just long enough to get from the airport to the wallmart to buy a new one - it was unsafe, dirty and too small for my then 2yo dd.

My sil and I have had GREAT experiences with ABBF so if I was going to rent a carseat I would consider renting frrom them. They have always provided new, clean and great baby equipment so I can't imagine they rent substandard carseats.

Personally I have always opted to bring my own because I knew it was safe, comfy for dd's and I was familiar with how to intall it correctly, quickly and it was already adusted so my dd was buckled in properly. If you do decide to go this route for about $25 you can purchase a carseat bag, they have backpack models and rollilng models and gate check the carseat. I personally wouln't check one through with luggage but others have with good results.

One last idea is that if your 4yo is farily mature and can be trusted to sit straight and not fall asleep then a BPB would be an option. Some fold small enough to place in the overheat but then again you stil have to go through security with it and its not much different than gate checking your own carseat.

If it were me my first choice would be to bring my own and gate check it, second choice would be to rent a 5pt harness seat from ABBF.

Have a great trip!
TJ

 

[CindyCharming]

Yes, my understanding is that the main concern with a belt-positioning booster and a younger child who meets weight and age requirements is that the child may not be mature enough to sit up straight in the seat at all times and keep the seatbelt where it needs to be.

I kept my son in a Marathon until he was 4.5 for that reason but we did have an "emergency" Turbobooster at Grandma's when he outgrew her Roundabout and I didn't want to purchase another Marathon.

 

[tjmw2727]

snip

Is the main concern with a belt position booster for a younger child that they won't sit correctly?

Yes, I am not an expert but from what I have read/experienced untill they are mature enough to sit properly all the time, not fall asleep and or tuck the belt behind the shoulder the BPB isn't a good choice. I would wait as long as possible to switch long term but for a short trip if you think your dd can sit properly this can be an option.

FWIW - my neice is 4 and for a quick trip to the grocery my sil put her in her brothers BPB in her dh's car and it was a disaster. She put the shoulder belt behind her back, got out once and could lean so far over it was quite unsafe. MY sil didn't get one block before she returned until the other car was available.

TJ

 

[tanyaandallie]

Please watch this. Maturity is a big factor but there are other reasons not to put a 3 year old in a booster. Their little bodies are not ready for them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2LFo8vVi04

 

[all4fun]

Is the main concern with a belt position booster for a younger child that they won't sit correctly?

I've read that childrens spine and hips don't fully "ossify" until around 5-6 yrs old which is another reason why a 5pt is safer at this age.

We're facing a similar dilemma for our next trip in October. We'll be there for two weeks and want to have a vehicle for part of the time. We toyed w/the idea of not renting a car at all, which worked well on our last ONE week trip, but for the added week we'd like the option to go off property if we want. So I'm going to buy a car seat bag and check our backup seat. I keep getting conflicting info about gate checking vs. baggage checking though. I've heard of people seeing strollers and car seats tossed down from the jetway to the tarmac when gate checking, and of gate checked items being damaged. If you baggage check other heavier bags could end up on top of your car seat and the seat could still be tossed around. So it seems either way you're taking a risk. OTOH w/a rented seat you really don't know what you'll be getting. So I feel your pain here. I'd just rather take my chances w/bringing my own seat than renting one. My ds is only 34lbs so there's no way I'd put him in a bpb yet (plus I strongly suspect he wouldn't stay seated properly in one yet anyway). Another thought I had was to buy a Ride Safer Travel Vest for him to use but he's such a slow gainer I'm not 100% sure he'll be technically heavy enough to use it (they start at 35lbs). That would be really ideal for travel though. And yes, since it's different, it's approved by NHTSA and everything. Totally safe.

 

[NotUrsula]

I think that the reason not many here can tell you about renting carseats from ABBF is that tourists usually don't. Tourists either bring their own or rent from the car rental agency, because they can supply a carseat at MCO.
I'm guessing that ABBF's main carseat clientele are locals who are driving visiting relatives around.

I recommend you bring your own. It's free, and less hassle, really.

 

[Colinsmom]

My sil and I have had GREAT experiences with ABBF so if I was going to rent a carseat I would consider renting frrom them. They have always provided new, clean and great baby equipment so I can't imagine they rent substandard carseats.

Except they offer those t-bar seats for younger kids - anyone who has researched car seat safety would call that a substandard car seat.

To the OP, I'd either bring your own seat or buy a Scenera for $40 (less than the cost of a weekly ABBF rental) and check it in the box it comes in. Unless she has a really long torso, your DD should fit in the Scenera, and you can try it in the store before buying. Or send your DH out on the first day with the rental car to Wal-Mart in Orlando to buy one.

 

[tjmw2727]

Except they offer those t-bar seats for younger kids - anyone who has researched car seat safety would call that a substandard car seat.

Since you quoted me I should mention that you are right I haven't researched carseat safety for several years as my dd's are 11 and 13 now. I was simply speaking for "my experience" with ABBF and I did clarify that I had never rented a carseat from them.

FWIW the website lists two seats with the 5 point harness so the T seat isn't the only option.

TJ

 

[dhardawa]

There is no way to ever know if a rental car seat is safe. They might be super clean, but if they have been in a wreck, they are unsafe. I would also worry about how a company like this keeps them super clean. There are many things that can be done to a seat in cleaning that can weaken the harness and, therefore, make it unsafe.

The fact is, you are going into the great unknown. The seat might be fine. It also might fail in a crash. Another concern I would have is the seat types. The harnessed booster they show is a Cosco. Cosco high back boosters have VERY short harness slots so it is highly likely that your daughter will be too tall to use it harnessed.

If it were me, I would either not rent a car or pick up an inexpensive booster like a Turbo Booster. If you get the Turbo Booster, pack the base in your luggage and carry on the back. At four, your daughter should be mature enough to sit in a booster.

Also, for the You Tube video that was posted, we have looked over a lot of photographs from this family and there is a lot of misuse in thier booster seats that might have led to the seat failure. They also had a child in a booster who was three and three year olds are very rarely mature enough to sit properly. So, it is still unknown what caused his death.

Dana
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician