Travel to Mexico 5 and 8 year old

Tori · Jun 18, 2015

I just realized we are leaving on Tuesday, and there has been no discussion of any sort in regards to child restraint plans!

These are my boyfriend's kids, so I have to tread lightly with my suggestions.
He is more "relaxed" about using child restraints and in the past has used nothing when traveling to Mexico.

This makes me uncomfortable.

We will be riding in a airport shuttle van from home to the airport, and from the airport to the hotel/resort.

Right now the 5 year old (6 in September) uses a high back booster and the 8 year old uses a backless booster.

We are only carrying on-no checked bags...

I want the 5 year old in the very least to have something for the shuttle van (and maybe taxis?).

What do you all suggest? She is tall, and just over 40 pounds.

I searched through the forums a bit, but had trouble finding a similar discussion.

I saw the bubble bums booster seats?

I may be able to convince them to bring these along, and potentially get 2 since they are so compact, but I know nothing about them.

Please help.

Thank you!!

Tori

safeinthecar · Jun 18, 2015

I would agree with Bubble Bums (or Incognito if a 60# plus option works... $10ish cheaper). IME, shuttle buses and vehicles in general in Mexico are very likely to have no seat belts, broken seat belts, or lap-only belts that cannot be used with a booster anyway. Having a small, packable item just in case you can make them safer seems the way to go.

There is one small, as in statistically insignificant yet still surprising-since it went against current standards on the issue-study) that found that boosters may have a positive impact on kids in lap-belts. (Abstract only) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19916129

In real world practice, vehicles with lap only belts will have little to no head restraints and this puts a child at risk for cervical spine (neck) injuries and may negate any increase of safety from seat belt syndrome injuries to the abdomen.

Tori · Jun 19, 2015

Thanks so much!
I will check out both seats in the store today.
The incognito is great for the 8 year old, since she will probably start to not want to be a booster soon. Just have to check her weight.

Tori