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Alternatives to Car Seats
Car Seat Accessories
Convertible Car Seats
Car Seat Travel Bags & Carriers
It isn't always practical--or possible
to bring along your child's car seat or safety booster. But there
are safer alternatives to traveling without the car seat at all.
Here are some solutions to consider for travel by taxi or car, and
also by airplane, without the car seat.
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CARES
Flight Safety Restraint
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
:
Turns the airplane seatbelt into a
4-point harness for children over 1 year old and weighing 22 lbs. to 44 lbs.
CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) is ideal when children will be flying in their own airplane
seats, but won't need their own car seat at the destination, as when you'll be
renting a car seat at your destination or using another car seat
alternative for your ground transportation. For very light travels,
consider pairing the CARES with
the Eddie Bauer portable
car seat or RideSafer Vest for car seat alternatives in motor
vehicles (see below). CARES is FAA-approved
for use
during all phases of a flight, including taxiing, take-off, and
landing. First adjust the straps
to fit around the airplane seat, then use the harness to secure your
child to both the seat back and airplane seatbelt. Please note that CARES is approved for use in aircraft, but
not in automobiles.
If
you're bringing along your car seat, but don't want to use it on the
aircraft, I recommend you
always gate-check your car seat rather
than subject it to possible damage--which
may or may not be visible--from the airport baggage system, or use
one of the other car seat alternatives for your ground
transportation. CARES
weighs only 1 lb. and packs into a 6" stuff sack.
>
Click here to read Shelly's detailed review of CARES.
Find it online at:
Amazon
Tip: You can also rent CARES
from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.
Click here foe info. |
Baby
B'air Flight Safety Vest
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
Turbulence is by far the leading cause of
injuries in flight, and no one on board seems quite so vulnerable to
injuries from turbulence than the little lightweight people riding as
"lap children." This handy little vest slips over your lap
child and attaches to your safety belt with a loop, securing babies and
toddlers against unexpected bumps. Made of soft 100% cotton and fully adjustable side
and crotch straps, it allows for shifting around as
needed, even for breastfeeding. The Baby B'air is permitted for use in-flight by the
FAA as noted on its tag, though not for taxiing, take-off,
or landing. It slips into the side of your diaper bag or carryon with
ease. Available in two sizes: Infant,
recommended for newborns up to 8 months, and Toddler for up to 2 years.
Note:
Of
course there's no safer position for a flying infant than in his car
seat behind a 5-point harness (especially in the case of an unplanned
landing), but I know that in the real world many parents will continue
to fly with a lap child as long as it's allowed, and even children
flying with their car seats often need to spend some amount of time out
of them (nursing, burping, etc.). In either of those cases, the Baby
B'Air is far preferable to no restraint at all. - Shelly
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
One Step Ahead
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Eddie
Bauer Portable Car Seat
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
:
It's the answer to many parents'
dilemma of whether to bring the car seat or not. While this
"portable car seat" does not provide the same level of protection as
car seats (approved as a travel harness, not as a car seat), it is a
far better option than no car seat at all. Fold it flat to store in
your carry-on, daypack, or underneath your stroller until you're
ready to use. Then run the seatbelt through the back plate to lock
it into the seating position, and buckle your child into the 5-point
harness as you would in a normal car seat. It offers a little
padding with a wipe-clean cover. Not approved for use in
aircraft. Forward-facing only for
children 22 lbs. to 40 lbs., and 34" to 43" tall. Weighs less than 4
lbs. Folds to 10" x 14.5" x 4".
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
Baby Age
One Step Ahead
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Ride Safer Vest
Why
Shelly recommends
it:
With
the Ride Safer Vest your child can travel safely without a car seat
or booster from 3 years and 35 lbs.
Think of it as a "wearable booster seat" you
can pack in the outside pocket of your carry-on. After your flight,
have your child put it on outside baggage claim while you wait in
line for your cab. She can wear it like a normal vest, or add the
optional crotch strap for the safety of a 5-point harness--something
you won't get from a regular booster. This is also a great option when you want to save space in a
small rental car and/or have another child in a car seat.
At home, you can keep it
handy in your trunk for carpooling with friends.
Like booster seats, however, it is not
approved for use in aircraft. A
removable head rest offers extra comfort when desired. Weighs 2.5
lbs. without head rest, under 5 lbs. with it. Available in two
sizes. Small for children 35 lbs. to 60 lbs. and 38" to 52" tall,
and large for children 50 to 80 lbs. and 45" to 57" tall.
Meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS213).
Find it online at:
Amazon.com
Elite Car Seats
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