Your expert opinions, please!!

[pcgmom]

For those of you who have flown with 2 1/2 year olds, did you use/would you recommend using the carseat on the flight? Thanks in advance.

 

[CleveRocks]

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends it. The airlines recommend it.

My wife and I decided against it. We didn't believe it to add a substantial amount of safety, compared with the bother of it all.

However, this is a personal decision that every parent must make. My wife, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, wouldn't recommend to her patients that they DON'T use the car seat, but if they asked her as a "Mom" she'd tell them what she decided and why.

Our then-2.5 year old did just great when we went in May 2005.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

we found that with our son (when he was 3) it was nice for him to have a comfortable seat and something familiar to him. He actually fell asleep in it 15 minutes into his first flight. The adult seats are in a weird position if they want to sleep.

 

[WildGrits]

It's been quite a few years since my where young enough to need a car seat. My two started flying around 2 months old. I never brought a car seat on the plane. Mostly because I was alone and would not be able to handle carring it though the airport as was as mind babies or toddlers.

BUT, back in the day I would also carry a diaper bag full of foods and drinks and anything that would keep them occupied.

Now that you are restricted as to what you can bring, it might be harder to entertain a youngster on a flight.

So if I had to do it now, I might opt for a car seat. Not so much for the extra safety but for the extra restraint.

What I do recommend is a pair of Earplanes for everyone

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

The carseat is a GIANT hassle. That said, we took ours and would do it again. I have enough to worry about without worrying about safety during turbulence. Also I was afraid that a regular seat would be too much "freedom" for our normally confined little boy. He runs on the stubborn side and I could just see a tantrum in our future when he wasn't allowed to just roam around and get up and down. He also fell asleep on the way there.

 

[Hannathy]

I never took a car seat for any of my kids- well I did once with my first and it was such a hassle I never did again. Especially by the time they were 2 1/2 they were very pleased to be sitting in a seat like an adult and could sleep or use the tray table for their cars, animals, snacks, etc. Never had a bit of trouble. Heck by 2 1/2 they knew how to get on sit down and adjust and put on the seat belt. I wouldn't take it but if you do please watch their feet at 2 1/2 it puts their feet in prime seat kicking position and that is terrible for the person ahead so be prepared to prevent it.

 

[CleveRocks]

BUT, back in the day I would also carry a diaper bag full of foods and drinks and anything that would keep them occupied.

Now that you are restricted as to what you can bring, it might be harder to entertain a youngster on a flight.

The only new restrictions are on liquids and gels, and even then it's only on liquids and gels that you bring from home -- you can buy milk, juice, water and so on AFTER you pass through security.

 

[shafke]

If you are renting a car then I would say definitely yes. From what I have heard you do not want to be using a car seat from a rental company.

If you are not renting a car then I would say it is a toss up on what you feel more comfortable with. Some kids will not sit still unless they are in their own car seat and some have no problem.