(PW alert) Air travel with a toddler

mom2case

Maebb said:

@mom2case, I really don't know why you're insisting on being so stubborn about this. The FAA says car seats are safer. Here are more articles (infant death mentioned in #3): https://www.carseat.se/travel-tips/airline-statistics/ https://www.travelwithyourkids.com/on-the-plane/should-you-use-a-car-seat-on-the-plane https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/2422320/ You're right; very few people die from turbulence-related accidents, and a car seat doesn't guarantee safety in the event of a crash. But to me, it's worth it to take precautions. If you want to "stand by your thought that a car seat wouldn't do much in a plane crash," you are welcome to that opinion, but it kind of flies in the face of the evidence.

I don't see myself as being stubborn about this.  I appreciated your links, thanked you for the information, said there should be more awareness around it, and said I would use the CARES harness.  I don't see how that's me being stubborn, but whatever. 

firespirit717

@mom2case‌ the FAA actually recommends car seats for infants and children until they can safely fit the seat belt on a plane. I think it is you who needs to do more research. Any CPST (child passenger safety technician, if you don't know what that means) will tell you to buy a plane ticket and bring a car seat for your child. It is the safest way to travel. Planes don't make it a rule for kids to need their own seat until 2 because eh the are business and want to make money. They would lose business because some people can't afford to buy that extra ticket for their infant for just don't want to and will choose another means of transportation if they had to buy an extra ticket. Their are many products on the market designed to be used for car seats but are actually not allowed by the car seat manufacturer to be used, yet it's still legal for companies to make and sell these dangerous products. Read your car seat user manual and it will tell you not to use after market products like strap covers of head rest for infants because they are not specifically tested with the seat and could cause the car seat to not properly function in a crash, meaning your child could get injured. May I suggest that you check out the Facebook page Car Seats for the Littles. They have a wonderful section about air travel with plenty of proper links that I don't feel like copying and pasting here.

mom2case

@firespirit717 See above comment.  Thanks. 

And as far as car seat safety in the CAR, I could write a book on it.  I'm the person all my friends come to with their questions.  I don't use after market products.  I inform people of the dangers when they do.  I appreciate you trying to make sure I know safety stuff.  I'm done with this conversation though.  Peace.

Lanatir

muskiefan07 said:

i don't think they're legally required to find a seat that will fit your car seat if you didn't purchase a ticket for your child.

Good point! They probably won't let me bring it on the plane then.

^^Probably true.  I think I missed the part about if you had purchased a ticket or not.

And yes, we forward faced our seat.  The buckles are a tight fit through the spacing, but they did fit.

She was over 2 and 37 inches tall, so we also were to the point where she sort of needed to be FFed in a car, too, because she just did NOT fit.  I know everything I've read has said they're still comfortable somehow with all the folding and stuff to get them in, but (and I've said this before on here) not having to fight her getting into her seat makes me have so much more patience for driving.

Lanatir

@SebsMum  and everyone else  ---  Your attitude will also effect your child a lot.  Try to stay as calm and collected as you can.  If you don't freak out, your child will have cues from you that it is normal or at least not that scary while they're being exposed to the new environments and situations.

I know this won't completely stop meltdowns and it might not help some personalities, but it certainly doesn't hurt anything.  I know a few times in flight DD would look to me or DH and we would just smile or do something funny and her worried look would go away.  

mumfourevermore

I love to bring stuff like pipe cleaners and dry erase boards ( like from the dollar store). I also think snacks are essential. Hope your trip goes smoothly and is fun :-)

mshepherd20

Snacks, crayons and cooling book, playdoh, small whiteboard and markers, books to read, little DVD player.

Maybe travel at/around nap time.