travel carseat for preschooler?

[nancy drew]

i will be traveling to DLR solo with my 2 kids, age 2.5 and 4. i will need carseats for both kids for the shuttle to and from the airport.

is there such thing as a lightweight/travel-friendly carseat for a 4yo? i would rather not bring the big heavy carseat along, if there is a lighter *safe* option.

 

[pooh4evr]

what type of shuttle is it - if it is magical express or any other type of bus then you can't use a carseat

 

[laughinplace199]

Is your 4 yr old big enough for a booster seat?

 

[nancy drew]

its a shuttle van, and they require carseats for kids under age 6.

i think i can use a booster, though i know its not as safe as a 5pt harness.

 

[kim_o]

Depends how much you want to spend ;-) Safeguard Go (not sure on the weight, but very good for travelling). Radian (folds up nicely, but not exactly light).

 

[riley2008]

What about a travel vest for the older one? You'll likely have to haul the carseat through the airport for the younger one, but this may be an option for your older child. I haven't used one. I see they have mixed reviews. I think if it was used properly, it could be a great option.

http://www.safetrafficsystem.com/

http://www.netkidswear.com/totngoporcar.html

 

[canadianmom2three]

Tough call! I know what a pita it can be to haul carseats through the airport, especially if it is you alone with 2 kids! I have the radian, and it folds up great for travel, installs like a dream on the plane, and in cars with LATCH, but it is HEAVY - DH and I had to take turns lugging it thru the airport. OTOH, we have travelled with seats like the Alpha Omega and although they are bulkier, not nearly as heavy! In canada evenflo makes a seat called the chase, which is superlight and holds up to 48lbs. I believe same seat in the us is only good to 40lbs though, so your son maybe is too heavy already. If you folded the Radian, and packed it in a suitcase with some clothes around the edges, you could go ahead and check it, and then just get it out of the suitcase when you needed it, which would save you lugging it thru the airport and security etc. It folds small enough to fit in a regular suitcase, and at 30ish lbs, still light enough to allow suitcase to hold some clothes. The vest is a good option too, but not so practical for everyday use (and I have heard nothing good about the tote n go at all, the ridesafer is the only one with decent safety), where at least the Radian would be good for use after. I am a HUGE believer in extended harnessing (hence hauling the radian thru the airport for our 5 year old!), but really, I might be tempted to consider a really good booster - compass makes a really nice one that folds as well, lined with eps foam, nice wings for body and head, that would be super easy to have your son carry on the plane and stow, and then you would only be carrying for the little one.

 

[bumbershoot]

Have you seen the new Graco Nautilus?

 

[nancy drew]

Have you seen the new Graco Nautilus?

thats the one i want to get for dd when she outgrows the marathon (or the new britax 5pt booster that is coming out in may) but its heavy! or it felt heavy when i took it down off the shelf at walmart (i happened to be near one and wanted to see if they had it there, just so i wasnt ordering one sight unseen). i just remember thinking "man, this thing is heavy!" but if i used it just as a booster maybe it wouldnt be as heavy? hmmmm..

the idea of packing the radian is a good one. im torn between bringing a seat on the plane for the 4yo in hopes that maybe somehow she might sleep (4hr plane ride!!) and just packing it and using it when we get there. but then i would probably worry about losing that bag or something . im the type who finds things to worry about no matter what .

for all my whining about this, ultimately i will not compromise on safety. i will whine about it endlessly but at the end of the day safety comes first. just want to say that.