Can't decide if I need to bring DS2's seat on the plane...

KelliBella · Jun 21, 2011

I am making myself crazy, and DH is tired of talking about it. We are flying cross country with three full-fare ticketed kids, and of course bring a seat for 2 year old DD. DS2 is 4.5 years old, but he is only 29 pounds, and very small for his age. He normally rides in a FR85 or a Nauti.

It would be much easier to not bring a second car seat, but I worry that he would not nap as easily without the comfort of a harness. We would probably bring the Nauti, and throw it on top of the double stroller to get through the airport. I know the tray in the plane would not work with it.

What to do, what to do?

Would you be comfortable with a teeny tiny 4 year old in only a plane lap belt for 7-8 hours of flying?

An Aurora · Jun 21, 2011

I would take it. I flew with the three kids a month ago and did not take a seat for my 5yo. She was miserable and uncomfortable the whole time, enough so that I considered buying her a Frontier on vacation to use for the return flight.

jnamommy · Jun 21, 2011

I also would take it. When we had a 6 hour flight with my then-almost-5yr old ds a couple of months ago, the carseat was awesome for the plane - he was able to get comfy and sleep.

An Aurora · Jun 21, 2011

On my flight I ended up holding DS on my lap for about an hour, turning the CCO FF and putting DD in it (she looked ridiculous, her whole head is above the shell, but at least she could sleep). That way we all got about an hour of sleep (our flight was from 1am-6am).

littleangelfire · Jun 21, 2011

My big question would be if you don't take a seat, what will he using when you arrive at your destination?

mam521 · Jun 21, 2011

If you don't want the bulk of a big seat, you could look at a reasonably inexpensive Maestro. Nauti is a beast to haul around...

KelliBella · Jun 21, 2011

littleangelfire said:
My big question would be if you don't take a seat, what will he using when you arrive at your destination?

He will be riding in a Nauti, either ours or my IL's. They had purchased it for my oldest a couple of years ago, and we had been using it as a HBB the last time we were there. I would just put the harness back in for DS2.

As far as the weight/bulk of the Nauti, I am so used to hauling around the FR85, that the Nauti really doesn't seem so bad. Like I said, we will have a stroller to get it all the way to the gate, and DS2 is really comfortable in it.

I am definitely leaning toward bringing it now.

littleangelfire · Jun 21, 2011

Well, then my answer would be you know your child best. I flew with my then 5-year-old son last summer and did not take a seat on the plane, and he did fine. Of course, he is a lot bigger, don't know how much that should factor into it or not. If you wanted to buy something, if you fly often, you could look into getting a CARES harness for the plane. I think I saw them for $60.

Can't decide if I need to bring DS2's seat on the plane...

KelliBella

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An Aurora

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jnamommy

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An Aurora

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littleangelfire

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mam521

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KelliBella

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