Hi helpful mamas! I have a question... my daughter and I are going on a plane trip in three days and I was wondering if there are any alternatives to her booster car seat for car travel at our destination. She's 46 inches tall and still uses her child car seat here. I had a "safefit" belt adjuster from when my son was small but that doesn't legally replace a child car seat. If I can't find an alternative I'll just have to bring her big, heavy car seat, but I was wondering if any of you know a better way...many thanks for your advice... *Peace*!
Thanks so much for your great advice! I never knew about Bubble Bum. I went out and bought one today, so we're all set (and I just tried it out with my daughter in my car and it works great!) *Peace*!
I'd suggest skipping the carseat for the plane. You really don't need it once they're past the infant stage.
For the cars there, you can usually request a carseat in a cab or Uber. Uber has the family option where the cars come standard with them.
Does she weigh enough for a backless booster? Those are easy and lightweight. Even some booster with backs are very light - usually the ones that are around $40.
Another idea is the bumble bum seat which is an inflatable booster. It has been crash tested with the air out as well. You can find it on amazon, target and walmart. It's genius for traveling as it is lightweight and rolls into a small bag with the air out. Narrow so fits in any car and easy on their bum since it is filled with air instead of hard plastic!
My DD flew last spring without a car seat on the plane. We bought a Bubble Bum inflatable seat for taxis and the rental car. She did not prefer it, as it is a butt booster and belt positioner only, but it was portable and I felt better than renting a seat. When she was 2, we brought our Marathon and checked it (most airlines allow a car seat checked for free). The Bubble Bum was easy to take along and very quick to install as needed.
I would not use the carseat on the plane.
If you are determined to use your carseat, you can check it with baggage but depending on the airline you fly, you'll pay about $25 to do that.
If you are renting a car, you can request a car seat they will have it for you.
Have a safe and happy trip!
Are you renting a car? We flew and rented a car, and the rental company added a carseat for a small fee.
How old is your daughter? She might be old enough for a backless booster. They are so light!
But I definitely wouldn't worry about her on the plane.
My daughter is around the same size and we are bringing a backless booster with us. We are going for a week and it didn't make sense for us to pay $13 a day for a rented car seat. I've never used a car seat when flying with kids. Most airlines check car seats for free. Check with your airline. I plan on checking my backless booster at the ticket counter when we check our regular luggage.
I would not worry about it on a plane trip. I would have her car seat in the cargo hold. She'll be fine.
How old is she? At 46" I would assume she's 6 or 7?? She does NOT need a car seat for a plane ride.
You didn't say how old she is. That is important (is she a really tall 3 year old or a smaller 8 year old?). I would just check her car seat through to your destination. Don't hassle with it on the plane. Every person I've ever know to rent a car seat from the car rental company says they're disgusting!
If you are renting a car at your destination, then I'd get a backless booster to take along. FYI it is always free to check a carseat as baggage on planes and it does not count as one of your checked bags.
If you are taking taxis or a shuttle bus at your destination then don't worry about it. You don't need car seats in taxis or on shuttle buses.
I wouldn't want to deal with the large heavy seat. I would buy a simple backless booster. I've seen them for as little as $25. If I could find a Bubble Bum I'd use that unless the cost is lots more than the backless.
Buy a bumble bum. They are easy to pack.
I don't know. In Oklahoma a child goes out of a car seat period the day they turn 6. My grandson wasn't much larger than what you're saying when he started using a regular seat belt with nothing.
Depending on where you're traveling why not just get something there? He can't use it on the plane, right? You'd have to carry it around and hope it didn't get lost on the flight.
