Traveling with a Car Seat!

[ReneeDisney]

HI! We will be traveling to WDW with our 8 month old daughter and have reserved a seat for her on the flight. Since she is sitting up on her own, the airline said she is not required to have a car seat.

I konw she will be comfortable in her car seat, but at the same time it is a big hassle to lug through the airport. Also, we will not be needing the car seat while at WDW as we are using Magical Express and not renting a car.

On the other hand, I know it is the safest way for her to travel in her car seat.

For parent's that have taken a car seat on the plane - is it easy to strap the seat in with the seat belt? Or have you taken a baby that can sit up without a car seat?

Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated.
THANKS!

 

[NotUrsula]

Depends on the seat. We normally use a lightweight one for travel, and yes, it is easy. My personal feeling is that babies under 2 are usually going to be more comfortable in a carseat vs. the big seat, especially when sleeping.

That 5 pt. harness goes a long way toward my peace of mind, too; knowing that I can fall asleep without worrying where she'll be when I wake up.

 

[latexscooter]

First make sure your car seat is airline certified - not all seats are. We took our car seat on the plane and it wasn't as much of a big deal as you think. The airlines will require the child seat be put in the window seat. It was an easy pull through of the belt strap at the bottom of the seat (we had a Peg Perego if that helps). We brought our own stroller and checked it at the gate. When we got of the plane we waited and got off last. At that point the stroller had been brought up from below and we easily dropped her car seat on the stroller and were off. It wasn't the easiest thing to do but it certainly wasn't the most difficult either. We were glad we brought it because even though our daughter could sit up on her own she really couldn't get the level of support she needed to her back sitting in the traditional seat. Not to mention, when they aren't strapped in they are like projectiles if you hit turbulence.

 

[staci]

I would bring the seat. I would always bring on for a child up to at least 2- they are use to the seat.

We took our seat on magical express last time - they just put it down below with the luggage. Not a big deal at all.

 

[stacy6552]

Ok ok. First, get yourself a carseat dufflebag, like this one:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2508013

I like the one with one sholder strap, because you can sling it across your body with the cure of the seat resting comfortably sideways across your back. I paid twice as much 10 years ago and its worth every single penny.

Now as to installing it on the plane. Here's my secret: recline the seat while you lock the seatbelt under it. Then sit the seat up and tighten the belt while pushing the carseat down, just like in the car. But the secret is reclining to get the seatbelt fastened, its so much easier that way.

Use the carseat. The airline says she's not required to be in it, but they also say she doesnt have to be restrained at all, so dont trust that statement at all. She needs the carseat for all the reasons she does in a car, if not more on the plane.

 

[all4fun]

We always took a car seat on board the plane up until ds turned four, even when we knew we weren't using it on the ground. I figured if everything down to the coffee pot had to be secured during take off and landing (the most dangerous parts of the trip) then why should my child be any different? The FAA recommends using a crs or approved device up until the child reaches 40lbs. http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

The other thing is if for some reason you did need to take a car somewhere (rent, or get a taxi) then you'll have your car seat. I wouldn't want to rely on renting one.

hth!

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm thinking this through. You have a seat for her, so if you don't bring a carseat, she will be required to sit in it for take off and landing. Which means she'll just be restrained by the belt during those times. For an 8 month old, that's going to be a long time just sitting there, especially if she decides she doesn't like taking off or landing, and wants her mama or papa.

Now, DS's first flight was as a lapbaby, we did not reserve a seat, when he was around 16 months old. Exhausting! Convenient, b/c I could nurse him through the landings, which helped him, but trying to keep him relatively still was difficult.

I vowed to never do that again.

We have found it very easy to strap the seat in. We have used a Cosco Scenera as his travel seat, and it's really light and simple. And inexpensive.

We do have an Eddie Bauer brand, from Target, bag for the seat, and while it's helpful before and after security, we have had to take the seat OUT of the bag on all but ONE flight since '05. That is an exhausting maneuver, to hold baby, take off shoes and coats, take seat out of bag, blah blah blah, and then reverse it all once through security.

But on the other hand, the seats state specifically to NOT hold them by their harness straps, so that's right out for us as well.

Anyway, I don't mention the *taking out of bag* thing to worry you, but to prepare you.

Have fun!

 

[lil mermaid]

I'd take the carseat. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to keep an 8 month old in an airplane seat without one - they are such little wiggleworms! It just seems that she would be more comfortable, not to mention safer, especially if she falls asleep.

A little tip - if they do preboard (I say if, because it seems as though most of our Orlando flights didn't have preboarding, because everyone had kids!) one of you should board and get the seat installed. The other adult should stay with the baby in the terminal and board as late as you can. Trust me!

 

[mom~of~2]

A little tip - if they do preboard (I say if, because it seems as though most of our Orlando flights didn't have preboarding, because everyone had kids!) one of you should board and get the seat installed. The other adult should stay with the baby in the terminal and board as late as you can. Trust me!

I was going to say the same thing. This is key for us when we travel. Even if they don't "preboard," one person can board as early as allowable to install the carseat (and also get carry-ons stored) & the other can wait in the terminal with the baby. Then, when you board with baby, you just need to buckle her in (instead of standing in the aisle and getting in the way of other passengers - stressful!)

It's really no problem installing a car seat on an airplane. Carrying it through the airport is somewhat of a hassle, but I definitely think it's worth it (they also sell gadgets that can help - i.e., backpack or wheel attachments - I personally use the GoGo Kidz Travelmate wheel attachment). I've flown a lot for work in the past and while most flights are pretty uneventful, I've been through some rough turbulance. Also, I think your baby will be much more comfortable. Without a car seat, the little ones just want to slide down the seat... and in that case, you will likely end up holding the baby anyways.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I would bring it hands down. This is the first flight that our any of our kids will take and not need the carseat. The are now 4.5 and almost 7.

 

[canadianmom2three]

Ever since I saw this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC4Q3ofz7SI I cringe when I see a lap baby. I realize that your baby isn't going to be a lap baby, but at 8mos, she will not fit safely in the lap belt, and in the event of turbulance or worse, she might not be safe with the lap belt alone. Babies have to be in a 5pt harness till 40lbs in a car, even though a plane is safer statistically, in the even somethinig happens, it suddenly becomes a lot less safer if the baby is only in a lap belt! I may be a wee bit carseat obsessed, but really, travelling with a car seat is not as much trouble as you may think - as other posters said the baby will sleep better, and be more comfy, plus it is WAY safer. We just got back from a flight with my 3 kids 11,8,5 and we carried on and used DS 5pt harness with no problems - aside from ensuring that it is FAA approved, it is EASY to install, way easier than in a car, and for me we didn't even preboard, just carried it down the aisle, and plunked it in, buckled it up, and put DS in. He was asleep within 15 minutes, we hadn't even taken off yet! We had one trip where DS (3 at the time) fell asleep in the car seat, and DH took him out seat and all, and carried him thru the airport and to the luggage claim, then out to the shuttle, and he slept the whole time, only waking up as I was buckling him, seat and all, back into the van...that was the best trip ever - he is was NOT a good traveller then, and even now but having the seat makes it much easier.

 

[mommylibrarian]

I agree you should take the seat. I took one by myself (me and DS1 at the time) because my DH and DD3 were meeting us down there separately. It was a pain at times, especially getting it in and out of the bag I carried it in, but I don't regret it at all. And I don't regret having the bag either. Way easier than carrying it without a bag.

Regarding preboarding, I learned that you just need to ask and they will preboard you. We've flown with a car seat several times (not just to Orlando) and only once did someone roll their eyes at us when we asked. And even he let us do it... I think he was just bothered by having to accomodate a special request. And we can take an eyeroll over having to get a carseat down an aisle full of already-seated passengers.

 

[MissMommy928]

I'm a car seat tech IRL so my rationale is different. I would absolutely bring the car seat with you!!! My primary concern is if you check the seat in with your luggage, those baggage handlers don't always.. errmm.. handle with care I've heard of many people who checked their seats with their luggage and it somehow managed to crack their seat or make it completely unusable/unsafe to install in a car.

Obviously if you've already paid for the seat, i'd bring the car seat. It offers your peice of mind knowing that at least your child is safe in a harness and if you have turbulence or a not so smooth landing, she'll be even more protected in her seat.

 

[godmother923]

I am glad that someone wrote about this. We are traveling in less than a month and have decided to not take a seat. My DS is 27 months and he weighs 38 lbs (he looks older than 2).. We are renting a car but have requested the car have a seat...

We are traveling for 8 days and if he was younger or weighed less I would definitely bring it.. But, he is a hefty little guy and I am confident that he will be fine.


On a side note.. for those of you who have taken children on their first flights... Any tips.. I just want to make sure his ears are ok... Do I buy plugs or anything..??? Any tips would be great!

 

[ReneeDisney]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all who answered. I am definitly going to bring her car seat (Peg Perego) and that way she'll be comfortable and safe as well.
Thanks again for all you wonderful advice and suggestions!
RENEE

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I am glad that someone wrote about this. We are traveling in less than a month and have decided to not take a seat. My DS is 27 months and he weighs 38 lbs (he looks older than 2).. We are renting a car but have requested the car have a seat...

We are traveling for 8 days and if he was younger or weighed less I would definitely bring it.. But, he is a hefty little guy and I am confident that he will be fine.


On a side note.. for those of you who have taken children on their first flights... Any tips.. I just want to make sure his ears are ok... Do I buy plugs or anything..??? Any tips would be great!

As a former car rental customer service agent, I would not rely on getting a car seat with your car. Any additional equipment is on request only (If it is lost, damaged or the person before you doesn't return it, you are out of luck.) I have to say too, car seats are, ah, not a priority for companies. They aren't necessarily cleaned or checked for recalls. You could end up with a real piece of junk.

As far as ears on the planes- I just always had sippy cups on hand for them to drink on take off/landing. If he eats fruit snacks, those are good too. I'd dole them out slowly over the ascent/decent.

 

[Trena]

www.kidsflysafe.com

Check out this option. I bought one and I love it. There was a lady on ebay that was renting her out.