CARES restraint harness for plane travel

new2009

New member
Hi, does anyone have experience or an opinion on how safe / easy to use this CARES harness product is for plane travel? I already have a car seat at destination and thus won't be bringing one with me on the plane.

My baby is 1.5 years old and 19 lbs now but I am planning a few trips for when she is older and meets the weight limit on the CARES harness.

I originally posted this in the Canadian forum but didn't get too many responses from members with experience using this product. Hoping for more here. TIA

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/CARES-Child-Aviation-Restraint-System/dp/B0012E4FV8/ref=pd_cp_ba_0"]Amazon.com: CARES Child Aviation Restraint System: Baby[/ame]
 
ADS

Brianna

New member
I wouldn't put a wiggly 2 year old in a CARES harness. There's too much going on for them to willingly sit there in position the whole time. The car seat is familiar and they're used to staying put when they're buckled in the car seat.
 

aeormsby

New member
We have one, but the earliest we used it (and what I would recommend) would be 3yo. By that age the lap belt has a decent chance of fitting and they'll be less likely to wiggle out of it or unbuckle the lap belt.

For a younger child the ideal option would be to buy a ticket and use a convertible RF or FF. Even though she's technically young enough to still be a lap baby I couldn't imagine trying to hold a 1yo for an entire flight!
 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Nor are lap babies recommended by the FAA, AAP, and NTSB.

The CARES doesn't tighten the lap belt, it doesn't have a crotch strap, it doesn't stop the child from playing with the buckle. There is a VERY small group of children for whom I would consider the CARES. It also means you either check the carseat, rent a carseat, have a trusted carseat on the either end, or aren't using a carseat at all on the trip. The first two are super bad, the second two are fine.

Wendy
 

new2009

New member
Thanks for your replies everyone but I'm not bringing a car seat on the plane since I already have a car seat at the destination. I am concerned about her safety during the flight. Would the CARES work better than just using the plane seat belt? Thanks
 
Last edited:

creideamh

Well-known member
If you're absolutely not going to bring a seat on the plane, then yeah a CARES is better than just a plane seatbelt... but like everyone else said, it isn't ideal for such a little one! :) Since the plane's lap belt won't fit properly, neither just the belt nor the CARES are the safest route to take.

The CARES is just a set of harness straps with a chest clip, basically. You still have to use the plane's lap belt, and the lap belt won't tighten enough for such a young toddler. CARES also can pull the lap belt up higher on smaller children, and you don't want the belt on their soft, vulnerable tummies. I would just bring a lightweight travel car seat on the plane for her. (That's what we do, and DD is familiar with it and knows she can't get out.)

HTH!
 

stephie1012

New member
I guess the cares is better, but not the best bc of fit. We fly tomorrow and dd has a seat at our destination but we are still bringing the scenera for the plane. Dd knows she can't get out of a carseat, the cares would be too much freedom for her and stress for me lol we have flown with a scenera when ds was 2 and it was super easy and he slept the entire flight, again didn't need a seat at our destination that time either.
 

BananaBoat

Well-known member
I think it is very child specific.

We have a CARES for our now 4 year old & have used it on most flights (about 10) since she was just over 2 years old. She is a mellow, calm and pretty obedient kid - even at 2 - so we never had issues using it. She has friends the same age (mostly boys) who would have a lot more trouble with it at 2 for sure! It is a MUCH better option than just the plane belt in my opinion, though.
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,656
Messages
2,196,898
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

Please  Support Car-Seat.Org  with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC

Top