4.5 yr old, airplane, etc...

[bri276]

DD will be 5 in July, she's 40 lbs and I don't know how tall. Short for her age. We're flying to Florida next month. We have a Boulevard. Does she still need to be in it on the flight?

Also, I know she's outgrown the Boulevard when the top of her head reaches the top of the seat, right? What do I get her after that?

[alegna]

She has also outgrown the blvd if her shoulders are above where the straps come out on their highest setting.

She's probably fine flying in just the lapbelt, BUT if you'll need her seat at your destination it is usually easier to just have her sit in it on the plane.

-Angela

[bri276]

Oh, the straps aren't even on the highest setting yet, so I think she has some time with it.

We have a connecting flight with a short layover and the Blvd is pretty heavy. DD still doesn't walk well due to special needs and will have to be in the stroller, I'll be 5+ months pregnant, so the less to carry/wheel around, the better!

On that note, is it safe to rent carseats or is it always better to bring your own?

[Mrs-Mama]

Originally Posted by bri276

On that note, is it safe to rent carseats or is it always better to bring your own?

I personally don't feel comfortable renting carseats. I'd be afraid that it would be dirty, out of date, etc, etc, and then I'd be stuck with no alternative. We always bring our own carseats.

[Eris]

Originally Posted by bri276

Also, I know she's outgrown the Boulevard when the top of her head reaches the top of the seat, right?

Tips of her ears, not top of her head.

[DahliaRW]

If you don't want to rent (which I would advise against) and you don't want to carry the BLVD, the ride safer travel vest is great for travel. You could put it in the stroller basket to get through the airport. And it's a wearable 5 point harness essentially. We LOVE ours for travel.

[EviesMom]

Originally Posted by DahliaRW

If you don't want to rent (which I would advise against) and you don't want to carry the BLVD, the ride safer travel vest is great for travel. You could put it in the stroller basket to get through the airport. And it's a wearable 5 point harness essentially. We LOVE ours for travel.

It's great for travel as it's easy to carry around, but it's not approved for use on an airplane. The label specifically says not to use it on a plane, actually, because it cannot be used with only a lap belt which is all an airplane has.

I have a radian for the younger child and a vest for the older. The radian folds so it fits in the overhead bin if you don't want to use it in the seat (DS slept better on one flight using lap belt only and he was secure enough in it, sleeping so not wiggling around). But it is HEAVY. I wasn't expecting how truly heavy it is. The vest is fantastic once they're old enough for it though. I take it everywhere!

It's a great next step from a car seat, so OP, if you're looking for a new option, I recommend the vest highly!

[DahliaRW]

I wasn't recommending it for the airplane. FYI. Her child is old enough for the lap belt on the plane.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by bri276

On that note, is it safe to rent carseats or is it always better to bring your own?

Not really safe. I would never trust it. For one- they don't promise they will have what you need. At that age/weight they would most likely only have boosters.

-Angela

[Eclipsepearl]

ITA about the rental seats. The fine print absolves them of any real responsibility to provide them. They are also often in bad shape.

I have a Radian and use it on the airplane but I would recommend the vest over this option. Then she would just sit with the lap belt on the plane. You could look into a CARES harness on the plane. They're available for rent too, on Craigslist and Ebay if you don't want to buy one.

Another option, which is NOT as good as the vest but is to use a baby equipment rental company, which I would trust over a car rental car seat. Since they're in the "baby business", they can also answer questions about their products. The downside to this option is whether you can get the seat to the airport, if you need it right away.

FYI, car seats are never required unless it's an under-2 with their own seat.

If you are visiting friends/family, you can have them ask around for a suitable seat. I would though, be sure of the lendee (like is that the same person who's kid just entered college??)

Being pregnant, be sure to schedule a Ob visit right before leaving. If everything's going well, there shouldn't be a problem. Specifically s/he will check the cervix and your blood pressure, two factors which can pop up suddenly and make flying not such a good idea. But just be sure and eliminate them from your worry-list.

[caemommy]

Although I agree with the flying/carseat advice, I have to respectfully and completely disagree with getting your cervix checked prior to flying. Checking in with your health care provider is fine, but no one's fingers need to up there, particularly at 5 months! Make sure you drink lots of water on the days prior to flying, as well as on the flight date. If you have a longer flight, make sure that you are getting up to stretch your legs, too.

Originally Posted by Eclipsepearl

Being pregnant, be sure to schedule a Ob visit right before leaving. If everything's going well, there shouldn't be a problem. Specifically s/he will check the cervix and your blood pressure, two factors which can pop up suddenly and make flying not such a good idea. But just be sure and eliminate them from your worry-list.

[bri276]

Well, I found out today that I have a shortened cervix and probably won't be going anywhere. So.