WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FLYING WITH A CAR SEAT
As your frequent flyer and Child Passenger Safety Friend - I'm here to help you navigate flying with your littles!
WHY
As a dedicated child passenger safety advocate and frequent flyer, I advocated strongly for the use of a Child Restraint System (CRS) for children under 40 pounds on airplanes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) agree that a CRS provides the highest level of protection for young passengers.
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Unlike adult seat belts, which are not designed to fit small bodies, a CRS is specifically engineered to secure children effectively during turbulence or in the event of an emergency. This ensures that your child is not only safer but also more comfortable throughout the flight.
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The FAA strongly recommends that children under 40 pounds use a CRS, as it is the safest option during air travel. Turbulence, which can occur unexpectedly, poses a significant risk to unrestrained children, potentially leading to serious injuries. The AAP echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that a CRS can prevent children from being thrown around the cabin during sudden movements. Additionally, in the rare but serious event of an accident, a properly installed CRS can dramatically reduce the risk of injury or fatality, much like how car seats protect children in automobiles.
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Beyond safety, using a CRS can make flying a more pleasant experience for both the child and the parents. As a toddler mom, I know first-hand a CRS provides a familiar and comfortable environment for young children, helping them to remain calm and settled during the flight. This can be especially beneficial on longer journeys, where the security and comfort of a CRS can help reduce travel-related stress. As parents, ensuring the utmost safety and comfort for our children is paramount, and following CPST, FAA and AAP guidelines by using a CRS on airplanes is a crucial step in achieving that goal.
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For more information on the FAA recommendations - click here.
HOW
I’ll be honest, one of the most annoying things about traveling with kids is having to lug a giant car seat around. 🙄 But at the same time, it’s also one of the very least things we do for our kids. Am I right?😂
As a frequent flyer & CPST.. here are the three most common ways people carry their car seat in the airport:
The Dolly Method
Using a luggage dolly or cart, secure the car seat onto the dolly with straps or bungee cords. This allows you to roll the car seat through the airport, saving your back from carrying the weight. Especially good for heavier car seats!
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The Backpack Method
Some car seat manufacturers have travel bags (WayB Pico, Nuna, Chicco, Uppa Baby, Britax) that either have backpack straps or wheels for easy transport. You can also use one of the cheaper Amazon backpack bags to keep the dirt off (not for gate checking).
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The Stroller Method
Infant car seats are compatible with strollers, which is a n brainer when traveling. If you’re using a convertible car seat sometimes you may safely be able bungee cord the car seat through the belt path and attach to the stroller.. or place the car seat in the bucket under the stroller (cosco scenera fits perfectly under uppa baby vista)
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