Hello. Carseat issues...

We're flying to Disney in August with my 30 pound 3.7 year old. Should I skip the carseat on board or lug it? Just how difficult IS it to install seats in airline seats? If it's okay to just put her in the regular airplane seatbelt, what do I do when I get to Florida? I hate the idea of lugging her huge seat, so I wondered if there was a smaller thing I could bring. When my other daughter went she was big enough for a booster which is so much lighter and easier to lug around. I hate the thought of bringing that heavy thing, but I know I can't rent one either. Should I just plan on renting a van with factory installed child seats? That would be safe, wouldn't it?? Or not...maybe if that van was in an accident they wouldn't have necessarily replaced the row with the safety seats? HELP!!!

Also, I have a friend who I just discovered is using a shield seat for her two year old niece. She bought this new last year...I thought they weren't sold anymore?? Anyway, exactly what IS the problem with shield seats, and any advice on how to broach the subject with her? She's got her rear facing because I had already told her that was best until she maxed out the seat's rear facing weight requirement, but I never thought to tell her not to buy a shield because I didn't think they still existed new!! I don't want to hurt her feelings or make her feel inadequate, and she doesn't have much money so I know it will be hard for her to replace it. Any advice?

Thank you!!

By Eve on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 10:29 am:

bump

By Mommierenee on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 11:54 am:

I know you'll hear better & more thorough advice from Trina, butI went on an airplane with my children (when I only had 2), and I brought their carseats on board. It was a BIG pain in the butt, but since the FAA recommends it (turbulance & stuff), I went ahead and brought them. My little one wasn't 2 yet, so she ended up on my lap most of the time anyway, but the carseat helped me with my son because he was so hyper at that time. I knew I would need their carseats anyway, when I got there, so it gave me more room to pack other "stuff" LOL
Bring a LOT of patience with you if it's your first flight with her! She's a little older than my son was at that time. My pediatrician recommended making sure they were VERy sleepy & to give them a dose of Benadryl before the flight. I wouldn't recommend giving your daughter anything, of course, you'd have to talk to your Dr. about it, but for me it didn't work because they were just WAY over tired & so excited about being on a plane for the first time! My son still remembers it & he was only 2 at the time. Once in a while he'll remind me about something he rememebrs from the plane ride.
It's really hard on the plane because if they act up, it's not like you have room to take them somewhere to distract them or talk to them or put them in timeout or whatever! LOL

Also, people get annoyed with kids on planes, but I don't care! They were kids once too & there's NOTHING you can do! I always joke that was the one time in their life that I gave them WHATEVER they wanted!!!

Good luck! and have fun!

By Trina~moderator on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 11:58 am:

Thanks for bumping, Eve! Sorry I didn't get to this sooner. Summer vacation starts today, which means my kiddos are HOME and I don't have as much computer time.

Kate,
What particular car seat does your DD have? Is it aircraft certified? If so, I recommend bringing your DD's car seat. Yes, it may be a pain to lug around but worth it for safety sake. Especially when you reach your destination. I agree it's not a good idea to rent a car seat. I've heard nothing but horror stories about renting car seats - old, nasty, recalled, not the appropriate car seat for the child - besides the fact you have no idea if the seat has been in a crash, etc.. Integrated seats in a rental van would be "safe" but what do you do if there are none available when you arrive? Better safe than sorry. Bring your DD's car seat. More info about flying with kids here:

CPSafety.com - Air Travel With Kids

SafeKids.org - Take Safety to the Sky

Tray shield car seats are not the safest choice because they only have a 3 pt. harness and a child's head comes in contact with the tray during a crash causing facial/head/neck injuries. A 5 pt. harnessed car seat is always the safest choice. More info here:
Five-Point Harness or Shield - Choosing a safer seat

By Mommierenee on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 12:02 pm:

Oh, and Trina, thanks for the advice you gave about my son's booster! We have a child safety seat checkpoint event going on the 26th of this month!