Will I be sorry? airplane/carseat

[Missyma919]

So I have been debating on weather to take a car seat for my son who will be 2 1/2 (almost 3). My girls would have been fine at this age to sit on the seat without a car seat. My son however is a wild child. I am really leaning towards taking the seat with me to buckle him in. I was going to use the one from walmart that is alight and only like 40 bucks. I think it will keep him sitting but also he may sleep more comfortable in it. the flight is 4 hours.
Ok now just reassure me or tell me the truth. Will I regret dragging this seat through the airport. Is my thinking correct or should I just see how he does. He has never flown before but we do travel by car alot... UGH the decision is killing me

 

[mamapajama]

I would weigh the lesser of two evils. Which will be more annoying, carrying the car seat or dealing with your son going bonkers on the plane? If it were me (my newly 2 year old DD is a nut) I would take the seat. I hate being "that" parent, LOL!

 

[seashoreCM]

Car seats for us on the airplane must be FAA approved. Otherwise they have to be checked as baggage. If your child is old enough not to need one in the plane and you won't be driving a car down there, then you would probably be better off not bothering.

 

[goofy4tink]

As mentioned already, be sure the carseat is approved for airline use..all of them aren't. Now if it were me, I would drag it along. My kids were used to sitting still in the car because they were in a car seat. I never flew with them when they were still using car seats though. BUT...I would imagine that if a child is used to being confined to a car seat in the car, it would be much better to keep them in one on a plane...a lot less squirming around and restlessness going on.

 

[maxiesmom]

If it is at all possible, if you are using a car seat, it is nice if you seat another family member in front of the child in the car seat. A car seat makes it much easier for a squirmy child to kick the seat in front of them. Much nicer if they are kicking one of their own family, instead of a stranger who would not be happy with it.

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

Me I'm a car seat Mom for exactly that reason. It kept him confined and luckily he couldn't reach the seat in front. it's just recently I went without one and he did ok and it is a lot easier without it but drag that sucker with me if I were in the same position

 

[Minniemouse07]

We used car seats on planes for our kids until they were at least 4yo. Younger than 4yo is too young IME to sit in an airplane seat w/o being properly secured.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Agreed. I think the flight will be much more enjoyable for you if you have your son in a carseat. My DD always knew that when she was in her car seat, we were going somewhere and she was fine.

 

[ancestry]

If you are buying something why not get a cares harness or even renting one? They are about $70 or so to buy but can be rented for less usually. It will keep him safe and in his seat on the plan and it isn't a pain in the behind to carry through an airport.

 

[deegack]

I would bring it. There are cases where families had to deplane because they could not get their toddler to stay seated. If he's in a car seat there really is no way he can get out. So even if he's kicking and screaming you are ok to take off. Not that anyone will be happy with that.

 

[Vijoge]

We're taking the carseat! Kate has been riding in her seat since birth. She understands she's buckled in, can't get out, and that she has to sit in her seat until we reach our destination, etc. I think sitting in a seat with a lap belt would only confuse her and make it difficult to keep her in her seat.