Please tell me...

[tam626]

... that I don't need a carseat on the plane for my 3 year old. This is our first time flying & I'm pretty sure I don't need one but I thought I'd better check.

 

[Bren's Mom]

You aren't required to use a car seat for a 3 year old in an airplane.

However, depending on your child, it might be a good idea. If you have a little one who doesn't sit still well or would be one to unbuckle his seatbelt (easy to do in a plane) or will want to be up and jumping on the seat the whole time then I'd strongly recommend bringing one. You'll both likely have a much happier trip.

And having a car seat with a 5-point harness is safer than having a 3 yo in an ill-fitting seat belt should you experience bad turbulence.

Another option is a CARES harness. It is a harness similar to a car seat that attaches to the plane seat and the plane seat belt. Kind of the best of both worlds, no hassle with lugging a car seat but your child is safer on the plane.

 

[okeydokey]

When mine were three I used a regular seatbelt on the plane. They sat perfectly well because they were still buckled in and it was so much easier than trying to strap in the carset.

 

[tam626]

Thanks.

 

[puffkin]

We are taking a car seat (for the rental car) but not using it on the plane for my 2 1/2 year old. He sits fine in the seat with a belt on.

I know some people might flame me for not using the seat, but on 30 flights to Florida I have never had bad turbulence. I know it "could" happen, but I try not to worry about it because so many other things could happen. It is just easier for us and saves the person in front of us from getting kicked the entire flight. My son also flew as a lap baby plenty of times.

So, yes, you do NOT NEED a carseat. But take one if it makes you more comfortable.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Keep in mind that if you use a Harness and not a seat, you have to remove the restraint during takeoff and landing. I believe I saw that on the FAA website when I was looking for stuff on takeoff procedures for lap infants. I had once been told that I had to take my youngest out of the sling during takeoff and landing, since it wasn't an FAA approved device.

 

[PattnFmly]

We didn't use a carseat on the plane when DS's were 3 either. Actually, they were settled in their seats with their "special" blankets and the lap belt, and they fell asleep at that age! I did bring books and magnetized play boards, but they slept. Both my DS's are great flyers, better than Mom!

 

[java]

No carseat here either- The thought of his feet being up against the chair in front of us and just moving would seem like kicking made us leave it behind. (and we got a great deal on a car rental so the extra $40 was worth the reduction in stress.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Keep in mind that if you use a Harness and not a seat, you have to remove the restraint during takeoff and landing. I believe I saw that on the FAA website when I was looking for stuff on takeoff procedures for lap infants. I had once been told that I had to take my youngest out of the sling during takeoff and landing, since it wasn't an FAA approved device.

Just to clarify that;

The FAA does not allow use of non-FAA approved harness vests designed for a vehicle or booster seats. It DOES allow use of FAA approved car seats and the CARES harness because the CARES harness is specifically designed for air travel and FAA approved.

Here's the FAA's page for Child Passengers. There is a picture of the CARES harness in case anyone is interested, and while a flight attendant might not be up to date with this info if you're traveling with one just bring a copy of this page with you to show the FA that YES, you CAN leave the CARES harness on during takeoff and landing.

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

(A sling isn't an FAA approved device and so the airline had every right to ask you to remove it, although that's absolutely absurd. )

 

[Cindi0511]

If you DO want to take a car seat, check the label to see that it is aircraft approved or you very well may have to check it.

Remember, it will be required in a car if that's how you're getting to the World from the airport. "Florida law requires children under 5 years of age to be properly restrained no matter where they are seated in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier (child safety seat) or in a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat. For children ages 4 - 5, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt may be used. If a safety belt does not fit the child correctly, a booster set should be used to correctly position the lap and shoulder belts once they outgrow forward facing child safety seats (generally at about 40 pounds and 4 years old). Children from approximately 40-80 pounds and under 4'9" ion height should ride in a booster seat."

That's from the Broward County Sheriff's web site.

Hope it helps!

 

[mdurette]

Another reason to make sure you have a car seat with you. My 2 YO got VERY sick while we were at Disney. We first headed to a walk in clinic and then needed to go to the ER and then back to the hotel. We used Magical Express so we didn't have a car. I was VERY happy to have a car seat with me to install in the taxi.

 

[miprender]

We flew in 2006 with DD3 and she sat fine in the seat. I also had my DS10mths as a lap baby which I know is a big NO NO on these boards.

Another poster mentioned she took a taxi and used the car seat. We used a taxi a few times and didn't have any car seats. Not my choice but you don't have a car seat on the buses either.

Also, a life saver for us was a portable DVD player with some new movies that kept them intrigued for a few hrs.

 

[Bren's Mom]

We flew in 2006 with DD3 and she sat fine in the seat. I also had my DS10mths as a lap baby which I know is a big NO NO on these boards.

I'm not sure I understand what's funny about that. Lap babies are at risk. Period. The FAA recommends babies be in their own seat. The AAP recommends babies be in their own seat. It's safer.

Lap babies are allowed because statistically flying is safer than driving. If the FAA banned lap babies many of those children would be transported in cars, and that's not as statistically safe as flying.

Parents have the choice. Many parents don't know the risks so those that do share that info with parents who don't. There's nothing terribly amusing about that, imo.

 

[miprender]

I'm not sure I understand what's funny about that. Lap babies are at risk. Period. The FAA recommends babies be in their own seat. The AAP recommends babies be in their own seat. It's safer.

Lap babies are allowed because statistically flying is safer than driving. If the FAA banned lap babies many of those children would be transported in cars, and that's not as statistically safe as flying.

Parents have the choice. Many parents don't know the risks so those that do share that info with parents who don't. There's nothing terribly amusing about that, imo.

Exactly my point...lap babies are a big NO NO to discuss on these boards. That was why I was laughing.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We've never taken a carseat. The kids sat fine. Bring some stuff to keep them busy and some snacks.

 

[islangrl]

I didn't have my 3 year old use one on our last flight. I want to mention this...I wanted to check in the car seat. We each had one bag, including the 3 year old, and then the car seat. They wanted to charge me $50 for it. This was Delta by the way, I had read on their website that there was no extra charge for a car seat, but apparently that is only for infants. Well, infants not using the car seat on board, don't even have a paid ticket, but they get a free item. My son had a paid ticket and was denied the car seat. I put it back in the car, and bought one for $20 when we arrived. Continental was much better about this.

 

[tam626]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I think we'll skip it. I am taking his large stroller as it is plus all the luggage.