Pregnant, flying alone to CA with toddler. Car seat, yes or no?

[Anonymous]

I will be 7 months pregnant when I fly with my 2.5 year old to California in a few weeks. In the past, we've always brought the cheap and very light Cosco car seat on the plane so he can be strapped in 90% of the time. But I've also had help in the past. Is getting the car seat on and off the plane more hassle than it's worth? DS is generally very well behaved and I think will sit still while I install the seat, but with my big belly and general fatigue I want to make this trip as simple as possible. I thought about the CARES harness, but it kinda of sounds like a pain too, what with having to deal with the tray table behind the kid's seat. Thoughts?

I was thinking I'd wear a backpack for the carry-on, and be armed with lots of snacks, iPad stocked with videos, a few toys and books and his blanket. Some kind of small pillow for my lower back if I can fit it. Any other tips would be great, too. TIA!

[Anonymous]

I would not bring it. I think you have enough on your plate.

[Anonymous]

Car seats on the plane are silly. It will be more trouble for you .

[Anonymous]

God no! No car seat.

[Anonymous]

if you are purchasing the seat either way, then you should be ok without. Please don't think that you can hold the toddler in your lap, since there is no leg room and you have no lap

[Anonymous]

The airlines never allowed us to put car seats in. Always made us check them.

[Anonymous]

I would not bring a car seat.

I love CARES, but I wouldn't buy one unless you fly a lot. I don't find dealing with the tray table to be a hassle, but my spouse does--I guess different levels of comfort with asking favors of strangers? Doesn't bother me in the least; it's not an inconvenience to anyone for more than a second.

If it really bugs you, book the last row in the plane (although of course that means your ability to recline your seat is limited).

A pair of kiddie (over the ear) headphones are nice for the toddler. If you want a back pillow, go inflatable to minimize space in your bag.

Separate all your kids snacks, drinks, etc, in a big ziploc, and pop them out on the security belt (this also saves your bag from spills). Also, supplies in a ziploc for 2-3 diaper changes, so that you only have to carry that up to the bathroom. Ask the flight attendant which bathroom has a changing table when you board the plane.

[Anonymous]

We travel with our carseat. But if pregnant and solo I would do the cares harness. It's not really a pain to install...the seat behind just needs to put down the tray for a few seconds and then its not in the way at all.

[Anonymous]

If you have easy access to a CARES harness, I'd go with that, otherwise I'd just use the seatbelt. I'd leave the carseat at home for this trip.

The CARES harness installs super quickly--no inconvenience to anyone. But at 2 1/2, the seatbelt will probably suffice unless your DC is super, uber wiggly.

[Anonymous]

Ive taken a car seat on the plane a couple of times when I was traveling with my 2 y/o. I didn't have any help either. It's a pain
to install and your baby bump might be in your way. Also don't expect the flight attendants to help. I would check the car seat with your other luggage. I also recommend the cares system. I think they sell it on amazon.

[Anonymous]

What is the point of a car seat on a plane? Does it protect against turbulence? If a plane goes down...nose dives...is the chance of survival greater?

[Anonymous]

I just flew to Holland with my 3 year old last week and did the CARES harnes. It was much better (as I didn't have to drag the car seat around).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The airlines never allowed us to put car seats in. Always made us check them.

Huh?! What do you mean? I've used one and have seen other people use them A LOT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The airlines never allowed us to put car seats in. Always made us check them.

Even if you bought the seat? After one turbulent flight with DS in my lap, I said never again and we always buy DS his own seat and use a car seat. No one has ever had a problem. On the aforementioned turbulent flight, though, I did have a flight attendant tell me I had to take DS out of the ergo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The airlines never allowed us to put car seats in. Always made us check them.

Huh?! What do you mean? I've used one and have seen other people use them A LOT.

Yeah, according to the FAA they're allowed.