Would you bring infant seat base?

[laughinplace199]

We will be using our Graco Safe Seat on the plane for DS (5 months). I know that you do not use the base when installing the infant seat on the plane. I'm trying to decide if we should bring the base for the rental car or just use the seatbelt and locking clip to secure the seat in the car. We always use the base at home so I'm not sure if it's a pain to install the seat securely without it. Any advice or opinions?

P.S. If I do bring the base, can I gate check it so it won't get damaged? We'll be checking the older kids' booster seats with the luggage, but I don't think I should put the base with their seats.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Isn't it only supposed to be used in a car with a base?

 

[laughinplace199]

I probably won't explain this well, but my car seat manual shows these hook-type things on the sides of the seat that you can thread the seatbelt through so that it can be used without the base. I've never done it though.

 

[all4fun]

Isn't it only supposed to be used in a car with a base?

Many infant seats have the option of installing the seat w/out the base. Basically the seatbelt goes over the whole seat and there should be seatbelt guides on the shell to hold it in place when installing it this way.

I never traveled w/ds when he was using his infant seat so never had to make this decision. I think what I would do is try it in your own car first and see how comfortable you feel doing this. It is perfectly safe to use the car seat this way as long as the car seat owners manual has instructions on how to do it and it's done properly every time. Of course, the down side is that every time you take the seat out of the car, you have to totally reinstall the seat. The base is really convenient for that because it stays in the car and you just click the seat into it. The nice thing about not taking the base is it's less to travel with. So it's totally up to you! I know, I'm not that helpful, am I?

ETA: BTW, when using a locking clip (that H shaped piece of metal your car seat came with) make sure you put it w/in an inch of the seatbelt buckle. It shouldn't be any further form the buckle than that. Also, most newer cars have automatic locking seatbelts (ALR) so you might not need a locking clip at all. http://www.carseatsite.com/lockingclips.htm

 

[dsneygirl]

We took DS to Seattle when he was 4 months old and did not take the base. After a couple of tries the seat is very easy to use with a seatbelt. Practice a couple of times in your own car. I would definitely not bother with the base.

 

[momtosam]

We took DS at age 6 months on a plane and did not bring the base. It is very easy to install in the car with just the seatbelt.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Thanks for the info. I never knew you could do that. I haven't used a removable infant seat since my first child and he wasn't in it very long.

 

[dhardawa]

I wuold not bring the base. Also, all cars manufactured later than 1996 require seat belts that lock in some way so unless you are going to be riding in a very old car, you won't need the locking clip. They will either lock at the latchplate (the piece that holds the male end of the buckle) or at the retractor. If they lock at the buckle, you can buckle the seat in and pull everything tight and it will be good to go. If they lock at the retractor, install the seat, get it tight, and then while holding everything tight, pull the shoulder belt out all the way. That will put it in locking mode and you'll hear it clicking when the seatbelt goes back in.

As long as you can install the infant seat with less than an inch of movement at the BELT PATH (it will move more at the back of the seat) it is fine to use.

Dana

 

[laughinplace199]

Thanks for the replies everyone. DH just said that he wants to bring the base. He's the one who usually installs the seat and he prefers to use the base. Do you think I can gate check the base? I'm a little hesitant to check it with the luggage.

 

[all4fun]

Thanks for the replies everyone. DH just said that he wants to bring the base. He's the one who usually installs the seat and he prefers to use the base. Do you think I can gate check the base? I'm a little hesitant to check it with the luggage.

I think you might be able to carry it on even. Check the airline website for carry on allowances and measure to see if it will fit. (downside: it will count against you as a carry on item this way). I really hesitate to check car seat stuff (even though eventually I will have to ). I do think they will allow you to gate check it if you want to though.

hth.

 

[mama4]

We use our Graco Snugride a lot without the base. When we are traveling in someone elses car for instance. I've had 4 kids (when ds 15 was a baby they didn't have bases yet) and have installed all of their carseats without the base when needed. I've had a carseat check w/ the seat installed this way and was told it was safe and that this actually works better for some folks since you have to tighten the seat down each time you install it whereas the base can loosen up over time(or if you have a base installed just check it each you put the seat in it-that's what we do) I'd of course read the manual if you decide to do it but we just lean our weight into the seat as we pull the seatbelt (ALR type) tight just like when we installed the base.

 

[laughinplace199]

I think you might be able to carry it on even. Check the airline website for carry on allowances and measure to see if it will fit. (downside: it will count against you as a carry on item this way). I really hesitate to check car seat stuff (even though eventually I will have to ). I do think they will allow you to gate check it if you want to though.

hth.

I never thought of that, but I could definitely carry it on. I won't be bringing a carry on for myself. I'll pack my essentials in DH's carry on so I can carry the baby's diaper bag. Since the baby will have his own seat, I could count the base as his carry on item. Thanks!

 

[labst60]

Really NO NEED to bring the base - we flew to WDW w/ DD at 3 months and 6.5months w/ our graco carrier/carseat and were GLAD we didn't bring the base - once you get the hang of it, is is super easy to install in the plane or car - much easier than lugging the base around!