Youngest Age You Would Feel Comfortable Using CARES

cat mommy · Apr 12, 2011

Assuming you have carseats available at your destination, when is it OK to start using CARES in lieu of RF convertible seats?

My kids can probably walk themselves through the airport and it would be nice not to have to drag the Sceneras around when we visit my parents (they could just buy a spare set to keep at their house).

aeormsby · Apr 12, 2011

If you think they'd leave the lap belt alone I'd probably say 2 1/2/3yo is the youngest I'd use it. We got our Cares harness when DD was about 3 1/2yo and she did fine with it. It's not the most comfy thing for them, and if it's a longer flight and you think they might fall asleep it might be tricky (bringing a blanket or jacket you can fold and put behind them for back support helps with the comfort issue).

spokaneCPST · Apr 12, 2011

DD was almost 3 when we used the CARES harness. She was 23'ish pounds, 32'ish inches. She was barely big enough some of the flights we were on - the lap belt was tightened as much as possible. I really liked the convenience of the CARES harness and think is a great niche item for a situation like yours (or mine, overseas trip with no need for carseat on the other end).http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb258/spokaneCPST/?action=view&current=claracares2.jpg

BananaBoat · Apr 12, 2011

We used it with DD at just over 2 years old & it worked well. I think much of it depends on how squirmy your kid is. I agree that the sleeping thing is a little awkward on the plane, since DD would kind of slump down & I would have to slide her back up so the chest portion didn't get stuck on her neck. I don't know if it would have worked for her at 18 months, though...but that's just my kid. :twocents:

wendytthomas · Apr 13, 2011

I wouldn't use it until the lap belt fits properly (can be tightened and isn't on the belly), so about three to five years old for most kids. In which case, I see little point in using one.

Wendy

An Aurora · Apr 13, 2011

wendytthomas said:
I wouldn't use it until the lap belt fits properly (can be tightened and isn't on the belly), so about three to five years old for most kids. In which case, I see little point in using one.

Wendy

This, exactly.

leighi123 · Apr 13, 2011

On every airplane I've been on, the lap belt fits Levi, and it has sense I've been sticking him in the seatbelt (I strap him in the seatbelt while I install his carseat, so he doesnt get run down by people). He has fit sense around 15months old. This is on United, Delta, Southwest and possibly others (those are the top 3 we fly).

In my experience, most seatbelts will tighten all the way flush with the seat, so even a tiny tiny kid can be "tightened down" all the way. We often strap in Levi's baby doll if there is a spare seat and I can get the belt tight on "baby Jenny".

But I probably wouldnt use CAREs until a kid is around 3, just because they won't sit still and the carseat does better at containing them if they are going to mess with the seatbelt and wiggle around. I could leave a seat in Tahoe where we go several times a year, but I find it much more comfy for Levi to just ride in his seat, he falls asleep every time!

ctbcleveland · Apr 14, 2011

For me, it would depend on the length of the plane ride. I wouldn't hesitate to try it with your kids with an hour long flight. If the flight is approaching 2+ hours, then probably not.

cat mommy · Jun 18, 2011

Thank you for the input! For the planes we typically take (Embraers), the lapbelts fit my kids already.

My kids are pretty well behaved and we are talking about short flights where they don't typically sleep. And I can be on them like a hawk to make sure they don't touch the seatbelts.

Is the slumping a comfort or safety issue? And is the CARES better than a (properly fitting) airplane seatbelt at this age?

wendytthomas · Jun 18, 2011

The slumping is a safety issue. If they slump they'll submarine, and/or have internal injuries because the big metal buckle or seatbelt is up too high on their abdomens.

I don't see the point of CARES if the lap belt fits. And since CARES doesn't make the lap belt fit in kids who are too small, I don't see the point of CARES in general. So if you have seats at the other end, and kids who actually fit in the regular belt, then you can bring nothing on board. There's no chance of getting diverted and renting a car at all, is there? Or having your folks not able to pick you up? We've had it where our ride (at our home airport) couldn't make it, and I took a taxi home, thrilled I had something for Piper with me.

Wendy

Youngest Age You Would Feel Comfortable Using CARES

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