Plane Travel (again) WWMMMD?

[buckeyegirl]

We are flying at the beginning of June from Cleveland to Athens, Greece.  We have two layovers on the way there.  We stay there for three days then fly to Barcelona.  We are then going on a 8 day cruise.  Then, we're staying in Barcelona for three days before we fly home from Barcelona to Cleveland again with two layovers.  For most of the flights it will be me, DH and DS.  The trip total is 13 days. 
 
DS will be 26 months.  He has flown before but only as a lap child and has done pretty well.  He is getting his own seat on all these flights.  Would you take a car seat or order a CARES harness?  My only concern is the sleeping part.  Will he still be able to comfortably fall asleep in the harness or would the car seat be better?  I am also thinking of renting a toddler Tula for the trip.

[Deleted]

Car seat. We took DD to Hawaii at the same age and took a car seat.

[mpc]

We're also flying to Athens this June. DS will be 15 mo and we are using CARES. Lugging the car seat around everywhere we went sounded too stressful. Especially on your cruise it will take up so much room. I haven't actually done the flight though, so I can't speak to which would be easier. Good luck!

[CloudBee]

My kid slept on his belly under the seatbelt in his own seat on our last flight. He slept like a rock, in the same position he does at home. I'm never taking the car seat onto the plane with us. It's always being checked.

I would consider CARES, or just use the lap belt. But for sleep I would probably remove CARES and just use the lap belt.

I'm risky. Judge me, people.

[chickens987]

DD is a belly sleeper. She can't sleep well in a carseat because she can't get comfy. I am seriously considering a CARES harness for our next flight at 27 months.

[Deleted]

DS slept like a rock in his CARES harness on Saturday Night.

[frlcb]

May 13, 2014 11:00:59 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

My kid slept on his belly under the seatbelt in his own seat on our last flight. He slept like a rock, in the same position he does at home. I'm never taking the car seat onto the plane with us. It's always being checked.

I would consider CARES, or just use the lap belt. But for sleep I would probably remove CARES and just use the lap belt.

I'm risky. Judge me, people.

Agree with this!

My kids can sleep in the CARES but if they couldn't I would just take them out of it for sleeping, and use the lap belt. I hate carseats on planes, what if he isn't comfortable? He won't be able to use the tray table, and he could kick the seat in front of him easier from the car seat.

[buckeyegirl]

Thanks for the replies. I really don't want to lug something like a carseat around especially on a cruise ship. I saw that you can rent the harness on ebay or we'll buy one and sell it when we return.

[lurknomore]

May 13, 2014 11:00:59 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

My kid slept on his belly under the seatbelt in his own seat on our last flight. He slept like a rock, in the same position he does at home. I'm never taking the car seat onto the plane with us. It's always being checked.

I would consider CARES, or just use the lap belt. But for sleep I would probably remove CARES and just use the lap belt.

I'm risky. Judge me, people.

This exactly.  And can I come?  I'll meet you at Hopkins!!!!   

[kangaroo11]

May 13, 2014 13:07:50 GMT -5 buckeyegirl said:

Thanks for the replies. I really don't want to lug something like a carseat around especially on a cruise ship. I saw that you can rent the harness on ebay or we'll buy one and sell it when we return.

Please try to sell it here first. *wink wink*