Excerpt “10. Finally, among unusual new travel products is something called “CARES” (Child Aviation Restraint System), a harness-like seat belt for children under the age of 3 who also weigh less than 40 pounds. It’s an alternative to the child seat, and weighs only 1 pound.”
Arthur Frommer is the pioneering founder of the Frommer’s Travel Guide book series. He co-hosts the radio program, The Travel Show, with his travel correspondent daughter Pauline Frommer. Find more destinations online and read Arthur Frommer’s blog at frommers.com
Little Gulliver had a lovely phone call from Doug, who pilots his own light aircraft. He is looking into safety on board when he takes his grandchildren on a trip. The CARES will be used for the older children, but what are the best options for the baby (then aged approximately 3 months old)? The aircraft does not have bassinets installed.
Ben @ Little Gulliver said: March 3 2011 1:18 PM
Hello Doug,
Thanks for visiting Little Gulliver and your query on Tuesday. I spoke to Donna, our chief researcher, and your findings are in line with our understanding.
For children over 1, the only two child restraint options for use in all phases of flight are an Australian standard car seat (AS 1754) or CARES restraint. Although, for an Aust. car seat to comply, the airline must be willing to provide the 3rd overhead tether belt which may then restrict the use of any tray table directly behind the child’s seat and also limit feet rest area for the passenger behind. Each car seat will carry a different height and width dimension and this is why the airlines still have a policy of needing the exact make and model of the seat to cross check with the type of airline seat the child will most likely use.
We do not have access to any lists of which carseat is suitable for which airline seat unfortunately. For your particular aircraft, any Australian approved car seat that fits your seat configuration should provide a compliant seat for your baby passengers who are too young for a CARES. It will need to be setup in the window seat or bulkhead seat so it does not impede other passenger’s ability to move about. One brand we’ve seen mentioned is the Britax Safe N Sound Compaq car seat. The other brands I’d seen mentioned are US standard only so not available for use out here.
Additionally, airlines traditionally only recognise the car seat safety standard requirements of the country they are registered in, so US airlines will be OK with US standard car seats but not allow Aust standard ones on board. This makes it very difficult if travelling across multiple airlines for any overseas travel.
For a baby flyer, the options are even more limited. The infant lap belt is common on Australian airlines but banned in other parts of the world. Evidence appears to show them as relatively ineffective in certain circumstances too. A baby can be in a bassinet arrangement if under 3 months old, but you indicated this isn’t relevant for your charter craft. A suitable car seat or the infant lap belt are the only approved item for such young flyers.
Here’s a couple of articles that may be of interest, apologies if you’ve come across them already. Flying with babies – this is an article Donna published on our blog. This article also links to a Flight Safety Australia Fly Baby Fly discussing babies on board (it was published in 2004, but there appears to have been little progress on the issue since). We also list the links to the latest child restraint policies for most local airlines here.
I hope this helps, please let me know if I can assist with any other queries.
It will be our first time taking our 14 month on a plane to USA. Any tips for the such long flight would be a great help?
Donna @ Little Gulliver said: February 22nd 2011 1:02 PM
Hi Chantelle,
How lovely! At 14 months the little ones can be so different, some are up and about, on solids, breastfeeding or bottle. Travel tips can also depend a little on whether you’re travelling alone or with your partner. Other things can make a difference, such as whether you’re travelling on a holiday or visiting family (who may be able to have some goodies available for you on arrival). So, I’m giving a few general tips which I’ve found useful… I’m guessing though that you are travelling with your partner, as you said ‘our first time’. This can make it easier, as that extra pair of hands is handy for a break for yourself, or even if your child needs a cuddle just as your meal arrives. On the other hand travelling alone with a toddler is ideal, as they really just want to be with you and its a great reason to enjoy some time together while you’re catered on!
You may have already looked at our shop by age category and flying with babies article. It may be worth a look if you haven’t, even though you’ve moved into the toddler years. Also, think about whether you may prefer a bassinet on board and consider booking one if you can. Think about whether booking a bassinet means your seat won’t recline and if that is OK with you. (In most aircraft the row of seats where the bassinets are don’t recline). It will also depend on the weight of your child, you may find you’re past the bassinet range on your airline.
Seating-wise, some parents opt to book a seat for their child, even if they don’t need to for the under 2’s. Alternatively you may also find yourself with a spare seat, which will allow you some extra room to spread out. At 14 months your child may be around 10 kilos, in which case the CARES harness is also an option (recommended for use with children weighing between 10-20 kilos). Much like a carseat does in a car, the CARES is attached to the aircraft seat and provides upper torso support. Some parents like it as it is more difficult to wriggle out of than the aircraft seat belts!
You may like to think about the layout of the plane – is there a particular location you may like, such as closer or further from the toilets etc. www.seatguru.com is a helpful resource for that as it shows the layouts of the aircraft. I generally like to sit on the aisle, as it is easier to get in and out with the little ones.
I have always found a Baby Carrier (like a Baby Bjorn or Infantino) for boarding and disembarking the
Portable baby chair
plane really handy, depending on how big your toddler is now. Your child may be up and about already and too heavy! I also love the smart nappy bag which can be worn as a satchel or as a back pack – perfect for when you have baby in a carrier on the front! It’s really handy when travelling. Check out www.LittleGulliver.com.au for other handy baby travel items such as disposable bibs (very popular) and (new to the market) disposable change mats. Consider a breastfeeding blanket, portable baby chair and perhaps a Pea Pod travel bed or a zoobie (plush toy, pillow and blanket in one).
Some people mention medicating children and problems with their ears and the like. While it is always a good idea to have some pain relief with you, just in case, I have never found this to be a problem. When I first started travelling I gave them drinks if they looked anxious on take off and landing, but now we just sing songs or look through a book (our youngest has just turned 2).
Food-wise, consider a good insulated lunch box and drink bottle. Take more snacks than you think
Spencil Lunch Box
you will ever need. Then, at the appropriate time, pick one out or let them choose one only. I find mine always pick the really unhealthy thing first and when travelling I think that is OK. You may be treated to some great things on the plane though. Mine couldn’t keep the smiles off their faces on the way to Cairns once, they were given the biggest ice creams they had ever seen!
Nappy-wise, go for nappy pants. If they are wet only, I find they are so much easier to get on and off as they can do it standing up. Take plenty of wipes as they’re handy for all sorts of things. I also use disposable nappy sacs for clean up, to move any sort of rubbish out of your seating area quickly and easily.
Activity-wise, take something you know your child will like and I always get something new – more interesting for both of you! Maybe try an Aquadoodle, colour wonder, play doh, chubbies (cars, planes). For some ideas on travel activities see Ten tips for keeping a toddler busy on a plane and my Top ten travel activities.
I’ve sprinkled a number of Little Gulliver products through here, not as an intentional plug, but we’re got so many great products on board its hard for me to give tips without recommending them!
I think the most important tip though – is to relax and enjoy the trip! I know that sounds obvious, but I know with myself I get really wrapped up with the details and it generally works out OK anyway! Having said that, it doesn’t hurt to expect some discomfort – either a plane will be delayed or you get a headache or something…it is surprising how much more prepared for things you can be if you’ve considered it beforehand. And since you’ve emailed us, you’re obviously thinking about it, so are likely to be very organised!
If you’re wanting to escape Christmas / end of year planning, maybe a short break is what you need! And hooray, you can take your CARES Child Aviation Restraint! Pacific Blue have updated their online ‘Travelling with Infants and Children’ policy to specifically mention CARES. See Pacific Blue; Travelling with Infants and Children.
Update;
Pacific Blue relaunched in December 2012 as part of the larger Virgin Australia brand making it easier to book international flights with Virgin. Operating as Virgin Australia, the airline still offers discount flights to major island holiday hot spots across the Pacific, including flights to New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, Bali and Phuket from major Australian airports like Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.
I use a great nappy bag, it’s a satchel style by day and converts to a back pack – ideal when travelling with a baby. Strap your baby into an Ergo Baby, put your back-pack on and you’re set to board (and have a free hand if you have toddlers). Together, these work really well in smaller airports where boarding and disembarking may entail a number of stairs.
The gear
Our ‘baby’ is 18 months old now, so our nappy bag also has his lunch box with snacks.
One back pack, comfort toy and lunch box each for 3 & 4 year old. They’ve each travelled with their own back pack from 2’ish
Heinz disposable bibs for baby and Sticky fingers wipes
Drink bottle each
a selection of Crayola or other colouring books and large washable crayons (comes in an 8 pack so I’m covered if some get lost or roll down the plane aisle)
Medibuddy
Back Packs
Our 3 and 4 year old carry their own back-packs and have been comfortable to do this from around 2+. I have read other people suggesting that kids wont carry their own backpacks and that you’ll end up carrying them yourself? I haven’t had this problem, my kids love their backpacks and insist on having them on. I’ve found it’s all about routine.
Little Beetle backpacks are strong, lightweight and include a pop top drink bottle!
We range the Little Beetle backpacks because they fit all our criteria. They are gorgeous, comfortable and have lots of zip pockets. Easy to use for the kids and even come with a pop top drink bottle. Great quality, great designs.
In the kids back packs for these short flights I have a lunch box and a comfort toy. In the lunch box I always pack a few serviettes and numerous snacks. I generally let them pick “1” thing to eat at various intervals (otherwise they will just eat everything – been there, done that).
The comfort toy is seldom used, but handy to have in case they get sleepy or distressed. My eldest son is really keen on his teddy, but I asked my daughter to choose which toy she wanted to bring. So dolly is coming too.
For these ages I generally keep the play activities in my satchel. This way I can pass them out, based on timing in the flight and moods. It’s also easier to keep track on what they have. For older kids and longer trips I would keep a checklist of the activities we have with us (to make sure we don’t leave any) and only let the child use one or 2 at a time before putting away.
This is a short trip and we will be picked up at the other end by family. For longer trips I would look at Potette Plus (ideal to ensure you always have a clean toilet and no line up), colouring / sticker books, a selection of small cars or animals and I would consider a walking harness (especially when travelling with a baby and a toddler in busy areas like airports and shopping centres).
Little Gulliver have harnesses that range from wrist straps to cuddly toys. We understand that parents and children’s needs are varied and therefore have plenty to choose from.
Lunch Boxes
Drink bottle (water), serviettes, vegemite and cheese scrolls, pre-packed sweet biscuits, banana, apple and cheese sticks. This seems like a lot of food, but if you’ve read some of my other posts you will remember I have been stuck on the tarmac and run out of food on more than 1 occasion. Now, I pack big and limit ie – “you can pick 1 thing out of the lunch box now”. This seems to work well.
I also always try and travel over a meal time. I find having lunch or tea helps to pass the time. The scrolls work well, I usually have them ready frozen in the freezer to take out the night before. Of course you can buy food on the plane, but that just seems like extra work so I don’t tend to. Maybe when they’re older.
Vacuum -packed to save space and keep them fresh and clean
Now that our youngest is much more capable I carried him easily and use a satchel style nappy bag for him. Spare nappies, travel wipes, disposable change mats, disposable bibs and a lunch box full of snacks. I also put a snack for myself in his box. I have travelled before with no food for myself and then have been busy changing a nappy when the food cart went by or trying to stop someone from having a tantrum! And have arrived hungry with a headache!
Next instalment will be more about the flight – choosing flight times, airlines, boarding and using a CARES.
I’m putting together some information to help parents who have little ones “uninterested” in flying. Our 3 year old has recently shown some fear, such as not wanting to sit near the window and has more recently been uncomfortable looking out the window when decending.
I came across this old Tom and Jerry cartoon on You Tube. It stars ‘Droopy and Dripple’ and ‘Mr McWolf” where they help him overcome (using some interesting methods) his fear of flying. It runs for around 6.49 minutes. The kids should get a laugh!
So, you’ve packed the bags, cancelled the papers and are really looking forward to being away for a couple of weeks free from the usual routine but you’re really anxious about keeping your young kids occupied on that long plane flight.
So, the seat belt goes through this loop?
So, you’ve packed the bags, cancelled the papers and are really looking forward to being away for a couple of weeks free from the usual routine but you’re really anxious about keeping your young kids occupied on that long plane flight.
Besides packing a few great new travel toys that your toddler hasn’t seen before, you’ll want to have some airplane activities that won’t break, get lost or cost the earth.
So here are some practical tips for travelling with toddlers and preschoolers that will help you to relax, enjoy the journey and help you all arrive with your sense of humour!
1. Bathroom
Make sure that your toddler has used the toilet before boarding the aircraft as they are spacious and much cleaner compared to the aircraft ones! It’s also a good idea to carry a supply of baby wipes and be sure to put them in a place where you can easily reach them throughout the flight.
2. Seat choice
Only choose bulkhead seats if your baby needs a baby bed as the armrests can’t be moved. Normal seats are far better if your baby or toddler wants to lie down on the seat with their head on your lap as the armrests can be moved up which is far more comfortable.
3. Ear pressure
If your baby is breastfeeding or on a bottle, give them the breast or bottle during take-off & landing as it is the best thing for their sensitive ears. They will be more relaxed and far less distressed and you will feel more at ease too.
If your child is older, then carry cotton wool or ask for earplugs as soon as you board the aircraft. Make use of them for take-off then save them for landing as the crew may not have any fresh ones left by then. Or play a yawning game with them to see how many times they can yawn on take off or landing as this helps pop their ears so the pressure doesn’t cause them discomfort.
4. Food
Carry a supply of biscuits, water, juice & healthy snacks for your toddler. Raisins are great for keeping little hands and minds occupied for quite awhile and also carry milk packets (the UHT small packets) yourself. Airline snacks run out in flight and milk is a shortage very often too so bring your own so you won’t panic if they run out.
5. Bottle heating
If you ask the crew to heat up your baby bottle check the temperature of the liquid yourself periodically and don’t depend on the crew as they are extremely busy. Most crew in Economy Class are not mothers themselves (as they are very young) so they don’t necessarily know the right temperature for your child’s feed. Airline crew are most willing to help but it’s always best to take responsibility for your own child’s bottle.
6. Health
If your child has a cold it’s a good idea to see a doctor before the flight to check if your child is fit to fly. Toddlers flying with a cold can experience terrible pain during take-off & landing and it’s also dangerous to their eardrums too!
7. Clothes
Always carry a change of clothes for your child and it is a good idea to carry a change of top / t-shirt for yourself too. You never know when you will need it…
8. Rubbish
Get a carrier or plastic bag from the crew, to put your rubbish in as you go along. It helps to keep your area clean and more organised. Also take fragranced bags with you to dispose of your nappies before putting them in the toilet bins provided.
9. Books
It’s always a great idea to carry reading books (new ones as well as old favourites), colouring books and crayons, as well as an ipod with their favourite songs and stories to listen to.
If you can carry a portable DVD player they are usually a big hit with toddlers. If you bring your own DVD player and your child’s favourite DVDs then you will have full control over the content and also the timing of their video entertainment which is good for maintaining a healthy balance about how much they watch. Another alternative might be to play their DVDs on your laptop.
10. Games to play
Toddlers often get naughty when they experience long delays to their journey, so being prepared is half the battle.
* Pack a goody bag filled with activities to keep them occupied and busy and include things like play dough, a few blocks, some small board books, a little car or your toddler’s favourite teddy. You could also wrap each item in wrapping paper a few times too and play pass the parcel with them, to add to the fun and excitement.
These ideas are best and most effective for keeping your child occupied during the normal waking hours on a flight as they encourage your child’s imagination and creativity.
* Put some fun pictures onto your digital camera of the people and places you are going to visit or pictures of a recent trip you’ve been on, like to the zoo, for your child to look at. During the flight, you can relive the fun and tell stories about where/who you’re visiting. It will keep your little one busy and relaxed which will make the flight a pleasurable one for all of you.
* When the flight attendant delivers drinks, ask for a cup, a couple ice cubes, and a straw. There are endless games you can make up with this combination as ice is fascinating to toddlers. Make sure that the ice doesn’t end up in their mouth though as it is a choking hazard.
* Bring a book of Finger Rhymes to teach your toddler. Great ones are “Finger Rhymes” by Marc Brown and “Little Hands, Finger Plays & Action Songs: Seasonal Activities” by Emily Stetson and “365 Games Smart Toddlers Play” by Sheila Ellison
* Learning how to fasten and unfasten an “old fashioned” seatbelt, jacket zipper and poppers or buttons on their clothing (or a carry on bags) can keep them occupied for a long time too.
* And don’t forget the old favourite of peek- a- boo if you’ve got friendly neighbours and “I spy”!
It’s all about relaxing, imagining the journey going really well a couple of nights before you fall asleep, so your unconscious gets ready for the journey positively, and planning ahead. It’s also about being flexible and relaxed when unexpected things happen that you have no control over. Toddlers will pick up on your vibes so lighten up, chill out and have a brilliant holiday!
This great article comes from www. Parenting Australia.com.au
Sue Atkins is a Parent Coach and Author of “Raising Happy Children for Dummies” one in the famous black and yellow series and mother of two children. She has written many books on self esteem and toddlers and her Positive Toddler Taming CD and ideas book is available from her website. To find out more about her work and to receive her free monthly newsletter bursting with practical tips and helpful advice for bringing up happy, confident, well-balanced children from toddler to teen go to => http:/www.positive-parents.com
Put together your own kit! Choose from a number of road tested boredom busters=>visit our popular Travel Activities category Little Gulliver fun stuff!
Qantas is rolling out new Kids Kits on domestic and international services Qantas kids kits. Children travelling on domestic and trans-Tasman services receive an activity pack from the Mr Men range of books. The new characters Mr Messy and Little Miss Sunshine will be featured (suitable for 3-12 year olds). Children on other international services will receive a Race Around the World pack, comprising a reusable travel pouch with an activity book, a time-zone card, a deck of cards, jigsaw and pen.
-adapted from Kay O’Sullivan, Smart Traveller, The Age, Saturday September 18, 2010
Sounds great? Put together your own kit! Choose from a number of road tested boredom busters=>visit our popular Travel Activities category Little Gulliver Games and Activities
At Little Gulliver, we appreciate that our customers are travelling for all sorts of reasons.
Fancy a reception at Lake Como Villa?
Some are catching up with family and friends, others have ailing loved ones abroad, while some are treating themselves and the kids to a much needed break. All are really good reasons to visit Little Gulliver for some help in getting the kids organised and making your life a little easier.
One memorable customer this week is Tamara. We would like to wish her all the best as she heads off to Italy to get married! We hope you and your loved ones have a really memorable time.
The CARES harness (A$99.95 at Little Gulliver) seemed like the perfect solution to my concerns about flying for the first time with my four-year-old son. While my son loves riding in the car and has never complained about sitting in his car seat (thankfully!),this would be the first time he would spend several hours on a plane. In particular, I was nervous about whether he would sit still with just a lap belt restraining him.
Installing the harness was easy, but required an awkward moment of asking the person behind us to move her tray table down while we installed the wrap-around strap. If my son had been seated on the aisle, this may have been an easier installation, but he insisted on sitting by the window. Installing the Cares Harness while kneeling on the middle seat and trying not to hit my head on the overhead bins was tricky. If there were some way for the system to work without having to bother another passenger, that would make it better.
Once that part was done, though, strapping in our son was a breeze. From that point on, the 4-point harness made my son feel like he was in his car seat at home rather than in an airplane. Well, apart from the clouds passing by the window to show we were in the air. My son really does enjoy being in his car seat, so we did not experience any problems with him getting antsy from being restrained by the Cares Harness. It also may have helped that this was his first flight and he knew no other way of flying. I would imagine that children who do not like being strapped in a car seat or who are used to flying with fewer physical restrictions may not appreciate this product in quite the same manner.
For the two-plus hour flight from Orlando to Boston, I was not interrupted by my son complaining about being buckled in, and he was much more contented than other children I witnessed climbing all over the aircraft without any seat belt being used except for takeoff and landing. I was actually very close to offering up the harness to the family aside of us who probably could have gotten much better use out of it than we did!
The belts used to create this harness are very similar to those used for the lap belts, so the system looks like it belongs on the plane. One might almost wonder why the airlines do not make these available to all families flying with younger children. It is a great concept that keeps kids safer than just using a lap belt. We chose not to bring our car seat with us on the vacation and this product allowed us to keep our son safe without the hassle of lugging onboard a car seat. We saw one family with twins carrying their car seats onto the plane, installing them, and then having to carry them out of the plane with them. It looked like way too much for anyone to handle at the airport.
The only problem I encountered with the harness was my husband and his unwillingness to let me use it on the flight down to Florida, as he did not want to let me ask the person behind me if I could move his tray table to install the straps.
For families that travel frequently with young children over age two (or under age two and using an individual seat), this is a great product if you’re willing to bother the person behind you for a moment to install the Cares Harness. The price of $US 69.70 for the CARES harness is a little steep if you were planning to only use it once. With no visible expiration date, it certainly looks like it is made to last for a long time.
Here’s a quick summary:
Pros:
Only FAA certified alternative to a car seat
4-point harness that’s identical to your child’s car seat configuration
Durable material that’s made by the same company who makes airplane safety belts
Light (500 grams / 1 pound) and portable
You can check-in your 50 pound car seat instead of lugging it on board
Cons:
Simple to install, but requires an awkward moment when you ask the passenger behind your child to put their tray table down.
No straps between the legs (the 5th safety point), so the straps have to be very snug or else smaller kids may slide down or wiggle out
Red strap sometimes doesn’t align flush for curved back seats
A big price tag if you don’t fly often
This article was written by US parent Bostonmom for Trekaroo.com.
For children over 1, the only two child restraint options for use in all phases of flight are an Australian standard car seat (AS 1754) or CARES restraint. Although, for an Aust. car seat to comply, the airline must be willing to provide the 3rd overhead tether belt which may then restrict the use of any tray table directly behind the child’s seat and also limit feet rest area for the passenger behind. Each car seat will carry a different height and width dimension and this is why the airlines still have a policy of needing the exact make and model of the seat to cross check with the type of airline seat the child will most likely use.
Additionally, airlines traditionally only recognise the car seat safety standard requirements of the country they are registered in, so US airlines will be OK with US standard car seats but not allow Aust standard ones on board. This makes it very difficult if travelling across multiple airlines for any overseas travel.
I’m guessing though that you are travelling with your partner, as you said ‘our first time’. This can make it easier, as that extra pair of hands is handy for a break for yourself, or even if your child needs a cuddle just as your meal arrives. On the other hand travelling alone with a toddler is ideal, as they really just want to be with you and its a great reason to enjoy some time together while you’re catered on!
Qantas is rolling out new Kids Kits on domestic and international services 
with younger children. It is a great concept that keeps kids safer than just using a lap belt. We chose not to bring our car seat with us on the vacation and this product allowed us to keep our son safe without the hassle of lugging onboard a car seat. We saw one family with twins carrying their car seats onto the plane, installing them, and then having to carry them out of the plane with them. It looked like way too much for anyone to handle at the airport.