Safe/easy Convertible Car Seat for Air Travel and Rental Cars

Hello S.,

I am a Safety Seat Tech. You will need a rear facing safety seat rated to 30 or more pounds, and be airplane certified. Babies stay rear facing for one year AND 20 lbs. The year is significant to allow the hips and shoulder bones enough time to solidify. As long as the babies torso fits comfortably in the seat, the placement of the legs is not an issue. Most combination seats are rated to 30 -35 lbs rear facing and then can be used front facing to 40 lbs or higher depending on the seat. This information is required to be on the seat itself. Good luck, Jim

We traveled quite a bit the first year of my daughter's life. This is the seat we used for travel and as a back up in our other car. It is a bit pricey, but worth it as it converts into a stroller. This made travel soooo easy. You can use the seat as a car seat, a booster seat or a stroller. It can be used rear or forward facing. My daughter fell asleep in it and seemed super comfy!

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2403962

There are a few cons, but I still think it's worth it:

#1. It doesn't have a tether system or a base to lock into so it's not as easy to use as a permanent seat. You have to buckle the baby in twice every time. Once into the actual seat and second into the car. It's not a big deal when traveling or using on occasion, just not good for every day use.

#2. It doesn't fit well as a stroller down the plane aisle. We had to lift it off the ground rather than push it because it was too wide for the economy aisle. It did fit in the airline seat though. It's a minor inconvenience.

#3. It takes practice to convert it from a car seat to a stroller. The ads make it seem much easier than it is, but once you get the hang of it, it's no big deal. Practice using it before you go on your trip.

#4. As I mentioned earlier it's a bit pricey at $250, but it really made life a whole lot easier.

*On a side note, our main car seat for everyday use is a Britax Boulevard and we are very happy with it!

most people will tell you to get a britax because they are like the best out there the round about would be good for your son too! and they are fda approved. the down side is that they are a little bulky. what i got for my daughter when we fly is the cosco serena (its like 45 bucks at walmart) its very light and comes in a carry bag. its also a convertable. it is a little on the cheaper side but i like it for my daughter. it has a 5 point harness on it and is pretty roomy my daughter is two and only 27lbs and still fits great in it. it goes up to 40lbs. i hope this helps good luck!

I went to the Northwest Airlines SkyMall and got a really cool one. It fits in any coach seat and is easy to use in the car. It also converts to a stroller really easily. I have traveled a lot with my little one and this is really an easier option than the carseat and the stroller. It goes up to 50 pounds so if your (big) little one should be good to go for at least a little while!

Hi S.-

We really like our Radian 65 by Sunshine Kids. It got great reviews and has a floor tether for rear facing which is an extra safety feature. Also it's slim and you can fit 3 in the back seat side by side. It is also FAA approved for use in airplanes. It was the 3rd brand of seat we got but the first one that installed easily into our car. It was about $200. It actually folds for travel but is pretty heavy due to its steel frame.

Hope this helps!

Hi S.,

The Maxi-Cosi infant seat only goes to 22 pounds, so you should be looking for a convertable seat soon. He should remain rear-facing up to the maximum weight of the convertible seat -- usually 30-35 pounds. Just to note... it is now recommended that children remain rear-facing until TWO years of age.

However, there are infant seats that go to higher weights. A newer one on the market is the "Graco Snugride32." 32 pounds rear-facing and I believe may be installed without the base (I do recommend you find a Certified Technician in your area to show you how to do this (http://tinyurl.com/6oe32h).

The Sit-n-Stroll is heavy seat, but makes up for it with the integrated wheels. You MUST use the S-N-S rear-facing with your child, even in aircraft. See the material at www.carseat.org. Look under Parents' Corner, then Aircraft Travel. Car seats that are approved for use on aircraft will have a label stating such affixed to the seat.

If you have more questions, just ask a Technician. That's what we're trained for.

Best,

-- M. Cohen
Passionate Child Passenger Saety Technician/Instructor
I-575114

Loving Step-Father of Melissa Monique - 1980-2002
Loving Grandfather of Alec Jaye - 2000-2002
"Again this year, Alec and his mommy won't be going to grandma's for the holidays."

I agree with Jacy, I traveled a lot when my 3 Y old was a baby, and end up having a Britax for our car and a Graco ComfortSport Convertible for traveling. It was worth the money and very easy to install. I used it for a lot of trips and sometimes as a second car car seat. Whatever you buy, make sure that it will be really light, because getting inside the airplane with a baby, diaper bag and a car seat it is not easy (but it is great as soon as you are inside the airplane and you baby is happy or sleeping in his car seat)
You may want to consider to buy a baby carrier as an extra option, you never know how your baby will react to all the ups and downs.

I don't know the name, but there is a car seat that cnverts to a rolling child vehicle -- much easier for airports than dragging along a heavy standard seat.

I can't remember the name of a carseat that I had that also turned into a stroller. It was big and soft and we used the carseat on the airplane, in taxi's, and cars. It collapsed from the stroller into the carseat, so you didn't have to fight 2 separate pieces. I found it online when my daughter was 2 months old and we only sold it last month - she is now 4 years old.

I love the sit-n-stroll. Super convenient in airports, taxis, and rental cars. Holds up to 40 pounds - my tall 2 1/2 year old is just about to outgrow it.

http://www.lillygold.com/sns.html

Go to mystrollers.com and they have a sit-n-stroll I love it I started using when my son was 4 1/2 months and still using for travel at 2. It's good up to forty pounds. It's a stroller that converts to a car seat. Even good at resturants as a booster. It's around $230. Definitley try opening and closing at home to get the hang of it. It comes with asscories as well if needed. Good luck! A lot of my friends travel and we all have one.

Hi, I traveled with my first born to the Far East and we used this car seat that was converted. It has a pulled out carrier just like luggage and roller blade wheels that pops out. It was awesome since we can just wheel him up the plane and put him on the seat without removing him. I don't think they make that anymore and it is a shame. I know that there is something similar that my girlfriend have used. However, I am not sure if it is smaller enough to be wheeled onto the plane. You should check out online catalog for something similar to that idea. We love it. That car seat was a life saver.

Buy a first years true fit my baby is huge too 32lbs and only 11 months this seat is good to 35lbs in the rear facing position. If has GREAT safety standard and is faa aproved. it is also small unlike a graco seat! Look it up I suggested it to someone else on mamasource and they baught it too!!! TRUST ME MY BABY WAS 16 LBS AT HER 2 MONTH VISIT SHE IS HUGE THE CAR SEAT IS GREAT YOU NEED TO CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!