My oldest is now 40 lbs, we currently have two Britax Marathon seats which will be good for some time, however, I am traveling soon and I was wondering if I should purchase a smaller booster seat with no back. I'm not sure they are safe my other little guy is 35 lbs. It's such a pain to pack and check two large car seats (I'm traveling on my own with these two with a 3 hour lay-over so I can't bring them on the plane). I don't want to worry every time we get in a car when we arrive, so I'll pack the large seats if they are better, but I'm not sure that the small boosters are unsafe.

Any thoughts or opinions.

By Debbie on Sunday, August 3, 2008 - 10:54 pm:

It depends on how old your ds is, and if he will sit properly in the booster. I want to say my boys were around 5 before I moved them into booster seats. If he is old enough, and will sit in it the right way, then I would say, Go for it.

By Chai~latte on Sunday, August 3, 2008 - 11:16 pm:

Good point, my oldest is 4 and not totally reliable, I'm afraid he might try to undo his seat belt. The 3 year old does not meet the weight requirement and really needs to be in a car seat. I'll probably pack the car seats but wanted to hear what others had done.

Thanks!

By Mrsheidi on Monday, August 4, 2008 - 12:01 am:

I would bring both car seats...I have one of those for Connor and I just don't feel comfortable putting him in anything else. I know how you feel about the traveling too...ugh.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, August 4, 2008 - 08:05 am:

Personally, I'd buy or borrow a smaller, lighter car seat for this trip and have your youngest fly in it. I would get a backless booster for your oldest and check it with luggage so you can use it when you reach your destination. (Boosters are not allowed on aircraft because they require both lap/shoulder belts.)

Backless boosters are safe, but keep in mind they don't offer any side impact protection or sleep support. They must also be used in a vehicle seating position that has a lap and shoulder belt and a head rest or high seat back.
Child Safety on Airplanes - FAA.org

By Chai~latte on Monday, August 4, 2008 - 09:50 am:

Thanks for all the info. I'll just pack both carseats, I cannot carry a carseat on the plane, I will have a stroller, a carry on bag, my purse, a diaper bag and two children to hold onto and three hour lay-over in an airport. I think I might just lose my mind if I had to carry a car seat around unless it came with a back pack harness and I could strap it my back. Doesn't that sound like fun. I understand your concerns and if DH and I were traveling together both children would be in carseats on the plane, but I can't do it on my own.

Ugh wish me luck, an hour drive to the airport, two hours to keep two children occupied before our flight takes off, 5 hours on the plane, a three hour lay-over and another 1 hour flight. My family better be happy to see us.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, August 4, 2008 - 06:44 pm:

Good luck! I thought a 4-hour car-ride, by myself, when Sarah was 3 and Emily was 10 months old, was challenging enough! It was January and I had to go to the bathroom. Emily didn't have shoes yet and I had to set her down on the dirty wet floor at that McDonald's where I was using the bathroom. Ugh. I never did get those socks clean again. I got her shoes, shortly after that. She could stand, but wasn't walking yet. This was not a bathroom with one of those seats in it. Although, the safety seat in a bathroom surely wouldn't be the cleanest thing, either.

I'm exhausted just listening to your anticipation of a difficult trip.

By Annie2 on Monday, August 4, 2008 - 08:11 pm:

You will be fine. Just don't be nervous to ask a mom around you or the flight attendants to help you out. Everyone will help you. Believe me...I flew to Okinawa, a 24 hour trip with my three girls, ages 4 1/2, 3 and 2. AND if someone gives you a dirty look or a rude comment...ignore them.
I had to ask Japanese teenagers to watch my girls while I used the restroom and to show me how to use my Yen in a vending machine.
The only time I took a car seat on a plane was for that Okinawa trip for my 2 year old.
I know Trina is rolling her eyes.
There was no way I could deal with the carry ons, three small kids and car seats for three kids.
Your family will be thrilled to see you...have a great time!