carseats to keep at grandma's house

[theriviera]

We are heading to my parents next weekend for a 10 day trip. DDs are 3 and 1. DD1 is 39", 32 lbs rides in a FF Blvd at home. DD2 is 19.5 lbs, and is still in her graco snugride 35. We also own a roundabout 55 and a cosco scenara.

Ideally, DH would like to not travel with the carseats at all. He would like to buy car seats and keep them at my parent's house.

If we were to buy seats, what would you buy? Are there any good deals right now? DD1 is FFing but DD2 must be rear facing.

Thanks in advance!

 

[wendytthomas]

A one year old needs a seat on the plane, and won't fit in the lap belt. As per the FAA (http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/) and AAP (http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/108/5/1218.full notice that's dated 2001, this is not new). A 32 pound child is also not likely to be able to tighten the lap belt. So I'd bring both seats with you and install them on the plane.

What we do is put the rear facing child behind the forward facing. That way we don't inconvenience anyone's recline.

Wendy

 

[Kat_Momof3]

I think the big issue for me (besides the baby needing a carseat regardless because of size) is the maturity of a 3yr old... would you trust her to sit still the WHOLE plane trip? Even with a carry on of stuff, I really wouldn't. Four... MAYBE... but not 3... even the most angelic 3yr old.

I know seats are cumbersome, but here is what I would do... see if your 3yr old fits in the scenera... if she does, take the scenera and the infant seat (you can skip taking the base if you want and just install the infant seat baseless or pack the base in a big piece of luggage so it's just one less thing to carry)

What stroller/strollers are you taking? that will also help me tell you how I'd get the seats through the airport.

Going by her overall height and weight, I think she'll fit the scenera (unless she's got a super long torso like my dd had at that age), but if she doesn't, then I can let you know what I'd do at that point.

 

[theriviera]

Well, it's too late for us to buy a ticket for the 1 year old so we will need a seat there and i'd rather not check a seat. As for the 3 year old, I will try the Scenara and maybe we can bring that one on board. She is tall though and it's mostly in her torso.

What do you think about the Maestro to keep at my mom's house?

 

[wendytthomas]

It's never too late. I'm sure they'll happily sell you a seat, and then ask for volunteers to be bumped if necessary. It's common practice nowadays to do that. It's not safe for your child, or the other passengers, to have a lap baby. A baby is a projectile, and for some reason they're not afforded the same safety benefits as the laptops, books, and carryons (heck, the soap in the lav is restrained!) that are required to be held down because that's what's safe. The flight attendants aren't trying to annoy you, they're trying to keep a three pound laptop from becoming a weapon at 150 mph. But a 20 pound baby is allowed to be free, and will be about 3000 pounds of force in a 150 mph runway emergency.

A Maestro is fine seat to leave there for your older child.

Wendy