Checking Car Seat vs RSTV for 3.5 year old

U

Unregistered

Guest
I'm going to be flying with my 3.5 year old and my 8 year old to visit family in Florida. We'll be renting a car when we're there. 3.5 year old is rear facing in Chicco NextFit at home, and I'd been planning to bring that so I can use it in the rental car, check it at the airport, and use our Cares Harness on the plane. I've read, though, recommendations against checking car seats, and the Ride Safe Travel Vest sounds like another possibility. I'd rather not buy a separate convertible seat for the trip, since we don't fly all that often, and I think its use would be limited due to my son's age.

Is checking a car seat really all that risky? Do you think a RSTV is a better option?
 
ADS
U

Unregistered

Guest
Thank you. He's 32 lbs and 38 inches, and we leave in about 2 weeks. I'd rather not buy a new convertible car seat for the trip, since we don't fly often and it's not likely to be used again, so it sounds like the best option may be bringing his Chicco Nextfit.
 

lgenne

New member
What about an inexpensive, lightweight harnessed seat? The RSTV is not cheap. You could get an Evenflo Maestro for under $65. It's usable as a booster for awhile too, and could be a good spare for grandparent/babysitter/whatever vehicles.

And actually, he would probably still fit in a Cosco Scenera NEXT, which you can get for as little as $35. It wouldn't last long, but if you're only planning to use it for one trip, it would do the job.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
I wouldn't put a 3 year old in an RSTV.

When is the trip? How tall/heavy is the 3.5 year old?

Why not?

It isn't something I'd buy for one trip but I'd be comfortable with most kids that age in one for limited travel use. In fact I put my third in one on our trip to Hawaii at 3.5.
 

lgenne

New member
It's possible your kids are less wild (or less dexterous) than mine. My kids at 3 would absolutely unbuckle themselves in an RSTV.
 

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