Athena
My son and I are traveling overseas in January to visit my sick mom. He'll be 5 months old. It's going to be just the baby and me from beginning till end. Since it's just the 2 of us, I'm taking my FAA approved car seat and stroller with me. I was wondering if anyone else has traveled this way and if you could give me advice. I'm already aware of the fact that I need to be there earlier than normal but will the stewardesses be mad if I book the seat next to me? Are they helpful? Is it hard to put the seat in place? What about bathroom brakes? Where do you change the baby? Can I take the CAN of formula or does it have to be in a bottle already mixed (I'll be breastfeeding but I'd like to have it with me just in case)? and things like that. I've traveled this route more times than I can count but never with a baby so any advice would be very welcome!
Thank you in advance!
I'm asking the question in this category because more mothers are likely to read it and respond! :)
Answer
Definitely book the seat next to you--it will give you SO much more space. You will get there early and you can just buckle his car seat right into the seat next to you just like you would do a lap belt install in a regular car. It works great! If you didn't do this and you hit turbulence during the flight, your baby would become a projectile, not only becoming injured himself, but injuring you and the other passengers. Not to mention, checking the carseat with luggage can mean a badly damaged carseat.
You'll take the stroller and carseat right to the gate and you'll check the stroller at the gate when the attendants get there and you'll carry him on in his car seat. They'll have the stroller waiting for you at the other end of your destination.
As for the canned formula, you'll have to ask the airline--each one has different regulations. That said, most say it's ok so long as it is completely sealed and you just buy bottled water once you are through security. If it needs warming, the flight attendants are usually more than happy to warm it for you.
Make sure to bring a few toys for him and a pacifier for take off and landing--or make sure he's feeding during those times. And, as for changes, many planes these days do have a spot for changing children. If your plane does not, either plan on changing him on your seat or the floor space in front of the seats which is why it's imperative that you choose the window seats not the middle section of the plane. Just bring a changing pad. If your baby has a poopy diaper, head for the bathroom and lay the pad on the toilet seat in there and work fast, or ask the flight attendants for a suggestion. They may let you change him in their area on the floor.
Definitely book the seat next to you--it will give you SO much more space. You will get there early and you can just buckle his car seat right into the seat next to you just like you would do a lap belt install in a regular car. It works great! If you didn't do this and you hit turbulence during the flight, your baby would become a projectile, not only becoming injured himself, but injuring you and the other passengers. Not to mention, checking the carseat with luggage can mean a badly damaged carseat.
You'll take the stroller and carseat right to the gate and you'll check the stroller at the gate when the attendants get there and you'll carry him on in his car seat. They'll have the stroller waiting for you at the other end of your destination.
As for the canned formula, you'll have to ask the airline--each one has different regulations. That said, most say it's ok so long as it is completely sealed and you just buy bottled water once you are through security. If it needs warming, the flight attendants are usually more than happy to warm it for you.
Make sure to bring a few toys for him and a pacifier for take off and landing--or make sure he's feeding during those times. And, as for changes, many planes these days do have a spot for changing children. If your plane does not, either plan on changing him on your seat or the floor space in front of the seats which is why it's imperative that you choose the window seats not the middle section of the plane. Just bring a changing pad. If your baby has a poopy diaper, head for the bathroom and lay the pad on the toilet seat in there and work fast, or ask the flight attendants for a suggestion. They may let you change him in their area on the floor.
Car seats in a Audi Q7?
Elisa
Hi :)
I know this might be a little wierd ,but i'm doing some research
And i was wondering what recommendations you have as far as car seats.
The car is a Audi Q7 , and the children are 30 months (2.5 years) , 15 months and a newborn.
Answer
This is a lot of information, so please bear with me.
First thing you need to know is that it is very possible to fit three car seats across in the backseat as a lot of parents have done them: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=33226
But each child seat needs to be independently installed. This means that a car seat cannot rely on another car seat to stay tight. To ensure that each child seat is successfully installed, install the center seat first. Check the center seat's installation. Then install the side seats right next to it. Take out the center seat. Then check the side seat's installation. A car seat is properly installed when it moves less than 1 inch side to side and front to back at the belt path.
The narrowest car seat on the market is the Diono Radian. The R100 model can be found on sale for about $210 on amazon. I realize that this is costly, especially when having mulitple children, but it is cheaper than a new and bigger vehicle. The R100 model goes up to 40 lbs rear facing and 65 lbs forward facing and has about 17 1/2" top harness slots. This means most kids can ride rear facing to age 3 to 4 in this seat and 5 to 7 forward facing. It will be a child's last harnessed car seat, so it is indeed worth the money if it can be successfully installed in your vehicle. This seat takes up a lot of front to back space when installed at a 45 degree angle. The 45 degree angle is needed for a newborn; however, for your 15 month old and 30 month old, you can use the angle adjuster. This makes the car seat more upright: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcPh2ORw9LY
Here is more about the Diono Radian: http://carseatblog.com/14805/diono-radian-rxt/
Are you looking for an infant car seat or a convertible car seat for your newborn? If you are going with an infant car seat, I would look into the Chicco KeyFit (22 or 30 model) has a narrow base. It generally works well in the center for fitting three car seats across. I would get this for your newborn. Here is more about this car seat: http://carseatblog.com/5364/chicco-keyfit-30-review-infant-carseat-nirvana/
If you are looking for a convertible, I'd go with the Cosco Scenera based on affordability. The bottom most harness straps are low meaning that it will fit newborns well and it is $40; it is 17" wide. It will be outgrown faster than other convertibles (around age 3), but it will help with your situation.
The Safety 1st Guide 65 can be used by either your 15 month old rear facing or by your 30 month old rear/ forward facing, but it will not fit a newborn as the bottom most harness slots are too high.
I would try and see if a Diono Radian is available at your Toys R Us. Toys R Us will usually let you try out the display model. Ensure that you use the rear facing boot while rear facing as it will change the angle of a rear facing installation. Remember that some car seats don't may install well in one seating position and install terribly in another seating position. This means to try out the Radian both rear facing and forward facing in the center seating position and in the outboard seating position.
Here are some tips on putting three car seats across:
-Install with the vehicle's seat belt as it gives you more room than with using the lower anchors
-Get behind rear facing car seat and push your stomach into it at the same time while tightening the seat belt (this can be difficult when your pregnant).
-For a forward facing car seat, put one knee in the seat while tightening the seat belt
-With installed with the seat belt, you can try to "scoot" a car seat closer to the door. The seat still needs to be successfully installed.
-Try different combination of car seats
-Try the same seats rear and forward facing (if your 30 month old is forward facing)
For example, here are some combinations you can try from driver, center, passenger:
-Chicco KeyFit, rear facing Diono Radian, rear facing Diono Radian
-rear facing Diono Radian, Chicco KeyFit, rear facing Diono Radian
-forward facing Diono Radian, Chicco KeyFit, rear facing Diono Radian
-forward facing Diono Radian, rear facing Diono Radian, Chicco KeyFit
-rear facing Diono Radian, Forward facing Guide 65, Chicco KeyFit 30
These are just examples, go out and try out different combinations in your vehicle.
Another option, which I usually don't recommend is having your 2 1/2 wear a vest while in the car. The Ride Safer Travel Vest is as safe as a forward facing car seat; this is a "wearable" car seat and takes up as much space as the child. It needs a lap belt and a top tether anchor or a lap/shoulder seat belt. Ride Safer also publishes their head excursion results. Here is their website: http://safetrafficsystem.com/ver4/
The minimum age for the vest is age 3 though.
This is a lot of information, so please bear with me.
First thing you need to know is that it is very possible to fit three car seats across in the backseat as a lot of parents have done them: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=33226
But each child seat needs to be independently installed. This means that a car seat cannot rely on another car seat to stay tight. To ensure that each child seat is successfully installed, install the center seat first. Check the center seat's installation. Then install the side seats right next to it. Take out the center seat. Then check the side seat's installation. A car seat is properly installed when it moves less than 1 inch side to side and front to back at the belt path.
The narrowest car seat on the market is the Diono Radian. The R100 model can be found on sale for about $210 on amazon. I realize that this is costly, especially when having mulitple children, but it is cheaper than a new and bigger vehicle. The R100 model goes up to 40 lbs rear facing and 65 lbs forward facing and has about 17 1/2" top harness slots. This means most kids can ride rear facing to age 3 to 4 in this seat and 5 to 7 forward facing. It will be a child's last harnessed car seat, so it is indeed worth the money if it can be successfully installed in your vehicle. This seat takes up a lot of front to back space when installed at a 45 degree angle. The 45 degree angle is needed for a newborn; however, for your 15 month old and 30 month old, you can use the angle adjuster. This makes the car seat more upright: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcPh2ORw9LY
Here is more about the Diono Radian: http://carseatblog.com/14805/diono-radian-rxt/
Are you looking for an infant car seat or a convertible car seat for your newborn? If you are going with an infant car seat, I would look into the Chicco KeyFit (22 or 30 model) has a narrow base. It generally works well in the center for fitting three car seats across. I would get this for your newborn. Here is more about this car seat: http://carseatblog.com/5364/chicco-keyfit-30-review-infant-carseat-nirvana/
If you are looking for a convertible, I'd go with the Cosco Scenera based on affordability. The bottom most harness straps are low meaning that it will fit newborns well and it is $40; it is 17" wide. It will be outgrown faster than other convertibles (around age 3), but it will help with your situation.
The Safety 1st Guide 65 can be used by either your 15 month old rear facing or by your 30 month old rear/ forward facing, but it will not fit a newborn as the bottom most harness slots are too high.
I would try and see if a Diono Radian is available at your Toys R Us. Toys R Us will usually let you try out the display model. Ensure that you use the rear facing boot while rear facing as it will change the angle of a rear facing installation. Remember that some car seats don't may install well in one seating position and install terribly in another seating position. This means to try out the Radian both rear facing and forward facing in the center seating position and in the outboard seating position.
Here are some tips on putting three car seats across:
-Install with the vehicle's seat belt as it gives you more room than with using the lower anchors
-Get behind rear facing car seat and push your stomach into it at the same time while tightening the seat belt (this can be difficult when your pregnant).
-For a forward facing car seat, put one knee in the seat while tightening the seat belt
-With installed with the seat belt, you can try to "scoot" a car seat closer to the door. The seat still needs to be successfully installed.
-Try different combination of car seats
-Try the same seats rear and forward facing (if your 30 month old is forward facing)
For example, here are some combinations you can try from driver, center, passenger:
-Chicco KeyFit, rear facing Diono Radian, rear facing Diono Radian
-rear facing Diono Radian, Chicco KeyFit, rear facing Diono Radian
-forward facing Diono Radian, Chicco KeyFit, rear facing Diono Radian
-forward facing Diono Radian, rear facing Diono Radian, Chicco KeyFit
-rear facing Diono Radian, Forward facing Guide 65, Chicco KeyFit 30
These are just examples, go out and try out different combinations in your vehicle.
Another option, which I usually don't recommend is having your 2 1/2 wear a vest while in the car. The Ride Safer Travel Vest is as safe as a forward facing car seat; this is a "wearable" car seat and takes up as much space as the child. It needs a lap belt and a top tether anchor or a lap/shoulder seat belt. Ride Safer also publishes their head excursion results. Here is their website: http://safetrafficsystem.com/ver4/
The minimum age for the vest is age 3 though.
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