Traveling solo with toddler

[NJlauren]

Was there part of the seat missing? Isn't the back a solid plastic frame?

The seatbelt in Thai car seat goes in between the hard plastic and the cushion for the back. Normally the buckle from the airplane seat ends up on the left side and when pulled fully right the buckle is not between the seat and the padding it's all the way to the side. But this time it wasn't long enough and it ended up not being all the way to the side so it dug in to DDs back.

I may not be explaining it well enough but the seat is in fine working condition no parts missing. This particular car seat does not have tons of bells and whistles or padding it was bought for travel only.

 

[tjmw2727]

I think I know what you mean about the buckle - one trip we had an issue so we twisted it so the airline seat buckle was backward. Not sure if this would have helped in your case as it seems to be more of an issue with the length of the seatbelt than the buckle or the car seat!

Honestly though I am not sure I would take that chance as a solo with a toddler either; as then your stuck with a car seat you can't use and a child who can't sit in it!

Have you looked into the Cares harness? They rent on ebay and since it sounds like you fly often it may be even be a worthy purchase for you. This way your dd will understand the need to stay seated and be comfortable and no lugging car seat though the airport.

Enjoy the trip!

 

[NJlauren]

I think I know what you mean about the buckle - one trip we had an issue so we twisted it so the airline seat buckle was backward. Not sure if this would have helped in your case as it seems to be more of an issue with the length of the seatbelt than the buckle or the car seat!

Honestly though I am not sure I would take that chance as a solo with a toddler either; as then your stuck with a car seat you can't use and a child who can't sit in it!

Have you looked into the Cares harness? They rent on ebay and since it sounds like you fly often it may be even be a worthy purchase for you. This way your dd will understand the need to stay seated and be comfortable and no lugging car seat though the airport.

Enjoy the trip!

We tried turning it around and even got an extender nothing worked.

I think I'm opting to fly with out he car seat (probably will gate check it need it when I land).

I have checked out the care harness, I think I'm going to get one. I did hear it makes it so the person behind you can't use here tray table is that true?

 

[tjmw2727]

We tried turning it around and even got an extender nothing worked.

I think I'm opting to fly with out he car seat (probably will gate check it need it when I land).

I have checked out the care harness, I think I'm going to get one. I did hear it makes it so the person behind you can't use here tray table is that true?

I think the person can still use the tray table but you do have to wrap the strap around the back of the seat. Your other alternative is to use the car seat rear facing in which case the person in front of her can't recline. We solved this by putting other members of our party in those seats but you don't have that option this trip.

There are lots of reviews and threads about the cares harness here on the dis but over on the transportation board and I know there are folks there who have actually used it so that may be a good place to head next. I would have used it but they came out just after my kids aged out of needing one to fly.

 

[NJlauren]

I think the person can still use the tray table but you do have to wrap the strap around the back of the seat. Your other alternative is to use the car seat rear facing in which case the person in front of her can't recline. We solved this by putting other members of our party in those seats but you don't have that option this trip.

There are lots of reviews and threads about the cares harness here on the dis but over on the transportation board and I know there are folks there who have actually used it so that may be a good place to head next. I would have used it but they came out just after my kids aged out of needing one to fly.

Thank you!

My sil used one a few times so I'm going to ask her to, worst case she doesn't use it. We did forward facing because I didn't feel it was ok to make is so some one couldn't recline.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

I did hear it makes it so the person behind you can't use here tray table is that true?

The person behind can use the tray table. When installing it, you just have to lower the tray table, slip the CARES belt around the seat back, then raise the seat back again. I watched someone do it on my flight last weekend. It doesn't inconvenience the passenger behind at all.

Good luck.

 

[NJlauren]

The person behind can use the tray table. When installing it, you just have to lower the tray table, slip the CARES belt around the seat back, then raise the seat back again. I watched someone do it on my flight last weekend. It doesn't inconvenience the passenger behind at all.

Good luck.

Great news!

Thank you

 

[jacknsally19]

I am currently planning a trip that will involve flying alone with my toddler she will be 22 months (cross country about a 6 hour flight). She has flown a bunch already which i thought would be good. However this past weekend was a little rough. Home was worse then going. I have already purchased her a seat and we have been flying with the Cosco Scenera Next car seat. On the way home for some reason the way the seat belt was laying was digging into DD's back and she ended up sitting on my lap most of the flight, and was pretty fussy. I am now debating gate checking the car seat and just letting her sit next to me, in hopes that this may give us more space. We currently have the window and middle. If i skip the car seat on the plane should i switch to middle aisle so she can walk in the aisle a bit?

I am looking for some advice on flying without the car seat, and just some general words of encouragement as this weekend really threw me for a loop.

I have flown many times without a car seat - just me & my DD. I think it would be far more of a hassle to deal with trying to install the car seat. We have never had any issues and actually the extra space seems to make everyone more comfy.

Typically, I pack a bunch of new fun things for my little one to enjoy.... A few things that are cheap but totally have enthralled her are wiki sticks, silly putty, & pipe cleaners. I think around age 2 was when I introduced lollipops which are a life saver on flights. I always carry a bunch!!

 

[Lupeix]

I had a similar issue with the belt hitting DS back when in the car seat. It turned out to be the belt. Depending on your seat and location of the buckle on the belt of the airplane, sometimes the buckle ends up right in the center of the back. The solution is to ask for a belt extender, they have quite a bit of those around this days. At this point I think going with a cares harness will be easier than toting the seat around, unless you want it for a car rental when you land.

 

[brinkley07]

I have done it both ways. My DS is easier to travel with when he is in the car seat, but he is tougher when he is out as he is very antsy. I have used Benadryl prescribed by his pediatrician with good and bad results. However getting the car seat on/off is a pain. Each way has positives and negatives. Since you haven't flown without it before I would try it and if it goes well great, if not you have the seat with you on the way home.