Help me fly with a toddler

[Yogurt]

I have flown many times, but never alone with a nearly 3 year old. I'm a little lost with some of the things to coordinate.

1. What is the deal with a carseat on the plane? Is she supposed to be sitting in a carseat on the plane seat? That seems overwhelming with 3 flights and I'd have to drag the carseat around the airports? Is this really what people do?

2. What happens with the umbrella stroller? I want it at my destination, but I could try to babywear through the airports, but the stroller might be good to have in the airports too. Do I check it like luggage or some other way?

3. I am going to buy a carseat to send to my parents house that they will get installed ahead of time by the highway patrol. Any recs for something that might last in case I fly out again in a year or so? She's 30lbs and average height (not sure how tall). A normal carseat like she's used since she left the bucket seat would be fine if shes not big enough for whatever is next.

Thank you for any advice.

Eta, flying from California to Florida

[chriskoo]

You’ll do great! If you already have a plan for a car seat at your destination I probably wouldn’t bother bringing one through the airport/on planes. She should be fine just sitting in the plane seat. The umbrella stroller might be helpful in the airport though - most airlines will let you gate check it for free.

[Yogurt]

What does gate check mean?

[thatgolfb]

May 29, 2018 20:53:42 GMT -6 Yogurt said:

What does gate check mean?

You bring the stroller all the way down the walkway to the door of the plane, and pick it up at the same point when you get off the plane. We have done it multiple times and will do it again this summer. (We have even done it with the bucket seat, thought car seats for the littles will tell you to not do that.)

At 3, I wouldn't bring a car seat just for the plane. DD1 was always a tall kid but she was easily able to sit in the seat on her own with no issue.

[thatgolfb]

Also for a cheap seat, we liked the Cosco Scenera.

[Deleted]

I feel like the car seat is up to you. I preferred it because my kids were used to it for long car rides. They’d stay seated. Unlike just a plane seat which doesn’t restrict as much.


Also while it’s rare - my kids and DH had an emergency landing last flight from CA to TX. DS was in a car seat and DD was not. They were both fine but DH said it was comforting knowing DS would be ok. He was worried about DD staying in brace position.

[emma]

At that age I wouldn’t both with the car seat on the plane. DS does better without it because he can lay down to sleep. I’d take the stroller and gate check it

[billyhorrible]

May 29, 2018 21:12:03 GMT -6 @privacy said:

I feel like the car seat is up to you. I preferred it because my kids were used to it for long car rides. They’d stay seated. Unlike just a plane seat which doesn’t restrict as much.

This. My almost 3 year old flies in a carseat because it keeps him from trying to get up and wander around the plane. We have a backpack carrier which makes it really easy to cart through the airport.

I also don't bother with a stroller when we fly. When he was littler I babywore, but at this age he can just walk. Although both my boys have Trunkis, so they usually ride those through the airport.

[robot]

I’ve flown cross country with my now 3 year old way too many times.

Once she was out of the infant seat I stopped bringing a car seat on board. Personal preference but I always would rather have the room for her to stretch and move. Plus she’s totally happy in her seat in the car but on the plane, if we’re next to her, she always just wanted out. She’s a pretty chill kid though, if she were wilder I might feel different.

We use our stroller to the gate, partially to carry bags. Then gate check and pick up when we land. I recommend clicking the straps closed before leaving it.

ETA: I don’t think a Cosco Scenera Next would be recommended at 3, she’s likely to outgrow it pretty soon. I think the seat recommendations would vary on whether she is RF or FF at this point.

[Yogurt]

robot she rearfaces in my car, but forward faces in my h's. I woukd have her ff in my parents car

I saw this one too:
Cosco Apt 50, Black Arrows www.amazon.com/dp/B00PNXI5PQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8wIdBbPG87535

[Yogurt]

This carseat starts at 30 lbs. Is this a good choice if she is exactly 30lbs now? This looks like the next phase of carseat.

Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat, Dusk www.amazon.com/dp/B073VPXWD6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_RDIdBbT9YQPNJ

[lifesaverz]

Knowing you’ll already have a car seat when you arrive, I’d probably base the plane car seat decision on how wiggly your kid is. My DD is chill & would do totally fine in that situation with no car seat, but DS might need more containment. I highly recommend bringing the umbrella stroller (it’s really so helpful to just be able to push them through the airport & not have to carry one more thing), & I would just gate check it like others are saying. I’ve done that multiple times with no issue.

[Taitai]

May 29, 2018 22:54:09 GMT -6 FlightView said:

If you have time look into a CARES harness, especially if you have car seats set up at the destination. The harness is FAA approved and isn’t as restrictive as a car seat, but helps with wiggly kids.

I’d definitely bring a stroller and utilize gate check, you never know if your flight will be delayed, plus with hand carries and diaper bag it doubles as storage.

People bring car seats on the regular, so if you want to, you won’t be the only one. Just make sure you know exactly where the FAA approved for aircraft sticker is. They’ll ask.

Yes to all of this. We live on the other side of the world from our family, so we do crazy long haul flights each year. Last month we flew on a 26 hr itinerary with DS1 (who was 3 yrs 1 month at the time). Here are some tips:

-If your kid is wiggly, get a CARES harness. I’d say a car seat is way more trouble than it is worth at this age, especially since you are traveling by yourself and your parents will have one at your destination.

-Umbrella stroller is your friend- you can use it to carry your bags if your kid is walking. Can also be used for containment in really crowded areas or if kid is grumpy.

-gate check the umbrella stroller on your flights. They’ll bring it right back out to the jet bridge - near the aircraft door - when you land. I recommend a bag to put your stroller in, unless you are okay with it getting dirty. We have this one and like it:
www.amazon.com/J-L-Childress-Standard-Double-Strollers/dp/B003554H9M

-With 3 flights, your kid will prob get tired or cranky at some point. If there is a meltdown, don’t worry...it is not the end of the world, and most people are understanding. Just know that this too shall pass, and you’ll get through it.

-pack a change to clothes for your kid and yourself, and put it in your carryon. Airplane bathrooms are small, and even if your kid is potty trained, small spaces can = pee everywhere, including on you.

- DS1 has a trunkie and loooves it. We put all his toys/activities/snacks in there, and he gets a kick out of riding on it at the airport. I just push the umbrella stroller (that has all the bags on the seat) with one hand, and then I pull DS1 with the other. He loves it. It’s also nice for him to have ownership of something- he likes having “his luggage,” and taking care of it keeps him occupied. Also, it fits under the seat 👍
www.amazon.com/Trunki-Original-Ride-Suitcase-Hello/dp/B014KYGQZY?th=1&psc=1

[jaidit]

Definitely no to a car seat on the plane, a 3 year old will be fine to just sit in the seat.

My toddler likes to run around the airport, but we also use a stroller that can be brought on the plane as a carry on:
www.amazon.com/BabyZen-2016-Stroller-Black-Frame-Black/dp/B01C7J43DQ/ref=sr_1_3_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1527668670&sr=1-3&keywords=babyzen+yoyo

Look up where the play areas are in airports if you have long layovers, they are really helpful for letting off steam.

[blurnette989]

For anyone who has used a CARES harness Transatlantic/longhaul or on flights with built in televisions in the seat, does the top strap not interfere with the passenger behind them?

Taitai

[adelbert]

I don't do carseats on planes, my kids never liked to sit in them. Mine have always done fine just sitting on the seat. But it's personal preference.

Some airlines/airports won't let you gate check but if you can, I would do it. Try to take a small umbrella type stroller.

One thing I always do is bring a garbage bag. As soon as we're done eating something or we have trash I throw it in my bag- then we don't have to wait for the flight attendants to collect it and we can use the space around the seat and on the tray more efficiently.

Make sure to pack a change of clothes, a few snacks and toys, and a tablet with headphones and you should do great!

[Taitai]

May 30, 2018 2:42:43 GMT -6 blurnette989 said:

For anyone who has used a CARES harness Transatlantic/longhaul or on flights with built in televisions in the seat, does the top strap not interfere with the passenger behind them?

Taitai

We have seen them used several times on the Japanese Airlines (never used on ourselves, since DS1 is pretty good in his seat). They didn’t seem to interfere with the little insert TV or dining tray on the passenger behind them - the airline actually provides it as an option for all people traveling with small children. So I think the flight attendants hooked it up. I feel like it’s pretty adjustable, so probably would not be an issue - the top strap goes behind the food tray table of the seat behind your kid. Nobody seemed to care. We thought it was really neat the first time we saw it, as it seems to give a similar feeling to being in a car seat for the kid (with the shoulder straps and chest clip). If DS2 ends up being super wiggly for our next trip to the states (when he’s almost 2), we’re definitely going to ask for one for him.

[Taitai]

Oh yeah - another suggestion - practice using headphones with an iPad before you go. DS1 didn’t like headphones, so we had to practice with some kid friendly ones before the flights, so he could watch the iPad with headphones and not bother everyone on the flight.

Also, we read DS1 a book about flying, which explains all the steps of taking a plane ride. This worked wonders, because he knew what the had to do (like check in, walk on the jet bridge, fasten his seatbelt before the plane could leave). Highly recommend. He also brought it along and loved reading it on the actual plane.

www.amazon.com/Amazing-Airplanes-Machines-Tony-Mitton/dp/0753459159

[robot]

May 29, 2018 22:26:28 GMT -6 Yogurt said:

This carseat starts at 30 lbs. Is this a good choice if she is exactly 30lbs now? This looks like the next phase of carseat.

Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat, Dusk www.amazon.com/dp/B073VPXWD6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_RDIdBbT9YQPNJ

This is one I see recommended a lot as a travel seat for FF.

[coffeeandwhine]

I may be extra about flight safety but I would be putting them in a car seat or harness. It’s not about wiggly child or not, it’s about keeping them safe in the event of anything non routine during flight.
I also like to have a stroller with me and use gate check.

[loveswaffles]

I second Taitai ‘s suggestion of the Trunki. DD is slightly older so we don’t use a stroller anymore but the trunki gives her something to ride if she gets tired if walking, a seat when waiting in queues and her own luggage to pack so her toys etc are her responsibility.

[hawkward]

May 30, 2018 2:42:43 GMT -6 blurnette989 said:

For anyone who has used a CARES harness Transatlantic/longhaul or on flights with built in televisions in the seat, does the top strap not interfere with the passenger behind them?

Taitai

I used one a lot with DS1, and the only comments I ever got about it were from older people saying they wished it was an option when their kids were young. When I would install it, I would check that it was not lying across anything inconvenient for the person behind us, like their screen or tray. It’s slim enough to safely go between the tray and seat when the tray is up.

[thatgolfb]

May 29, 2018 22:54:09 GMT -6 FlightView said:

If you have time look into a CARES harness, especially if you have car seats set up at the destination. The harness is FAA approved and isn’t as restrictive as a car seat, but helps with wiggly kids.

I’d definitely bring a stroller and utilize gate check, you never know if your flight will be delayed, plus with hand carries and diaper bag it doubles as storage.

People bring car seats on the regular, so if you want to, you won’t be the only one. Just make sure you know exactly where the FAA approved for aircraft sticker is. They’ll ask.

Oh yes I always forget about the CARES! I have heard good things about it (and obviously FlightView knows what she is talking about).

[honda]

Does Southwest let you gate check items?

[robot]

May 30, 2018 6:32:01 GMT -6 honda said:

Does Southwest let you gate check items?

Yes.

[thatgolfb]

May 30, 2018 6:41:19 GMT -6 robot said:

May 30, 2018 6:32:01 GMT -6 honda said:

Does Southwest let you gate check items?

Yes.

Yep, I will second this. Southwest has always been super easy to work with re: gate checking strollers and car seats.

[gussie]

I don't think you'll need a car seat on the plane, that sounds like a nightmare to haul on three flights. And I would absolutely gate check an umbrella stroller, much easier to get around the airport, baby wearing a 3 year old doesn't sound like fun.

Some things that were big hits on the last trip w/ my 3 year old were My Little Pony blind bags, Water Wow books, stickers and Magic Ink books. And an iPad, of course.

[Cher]

Is your flight direct or do you have 3 flights in a row?

I have a personal belief that most people make flying with kids much harder than it has to be. The less stuff you can shlep, the better. A lot of it is kid/flight/layover-dependent.If I can avoid bringing a stroller or car seat, I do. I try to keep my carry-on limited to an iPad, snacks and a change of clothes.

[Taitai]

May 30, 2018 5:03:34 GMT -6 coffeeandwhine said:

I may be extra about flight safety but I would be putting them in a car seat or harness. It’s not about wiggly child or not, it’s about keeping them safe in the event of anything non routine during flight.
I also like to have a stroller with me and use gate check.

I can see being all about safety, but I also think it depends on how long the flight is and the personality of the kid. Commercial air travel is so, so safe. Would you insist on putting your 3 yr old kid in a harness or car seat if taking a city bus or traveling by train? Those modes of transportation are less safe than air travel, but I don’t see anyone putting their toddlers in a car seat on a bus or a train. Just to put things in perspective.

If it’s a short flight or you have a really wiggly kid who needs it, I’m all about the CARES harness at age 3. It doesn’t take up a lot of space and is easy to transport. For long flights (over 2 hours in my opinion), I’d only use the CARES harness on take off and landing/taxiing. Toddlers need to move around on flights - and even just having them sit in the seat with a lap belt can help them not feel so constrained (which keeps them happier).

Just my opinion - the CARES harness is a really great compromise. Car seat is just way too much trouble considering the minimal risk at age 3. 🤷‍♀️

[Cher]

May 30, 2018 5:03:34 GMT -6 coffeeandwhine said:

I may be extra about flight safety but I would be putting them in a car seat or harness. It’s not about wiggly child or not, it’s about keeping them safe in the event of anything non routine during flight.
I also like to have a stroller with me and use gate check.

Its extra but I’m not going to fight you about it because I’m patiently waiting for someone to come in and say that kids should be RF on planes. It’s my favorite thing to throw down over.