CARES - Is It Usefull?

Are you talking about walking around the airport or when you are on the
plane? I think I am missing something. If I remember correctly, this is a
harness type of restraint for the plane. Is there a weight requirement for this?

My daughter is 8 years old now, but when she was younger I RENTED the CARES system from a person on eBay. I rented from a really nice lady in Florida - instead of spending the 80 or so bucks to buy it for one or two time use this made it cheaper and better then dragging the carseat.

You have to double check the weight requirements- I think its 22 lbs to 44 lbs - you may be able to use if for both your kids, I would check in the carseat - the airline never charges you for this. Unless thats changed recently. I carried a small bag that had the CARES for my daughter and she was strapped in like she was in a carseat. Its a no brainer - and no one was bothered by a large bulky carseat.

I once traveled with my sister and her child - he is the same age. She got an FAA approved carseat which she had to drag thru the terminal and then thru the plane. It was bulky but lucky there was no one on the otherside of his seat - so no complaints. So image me and my sister pushing a double stroller (got it on freecycle) with two carseats, luggage and two kids, it was crazy! That could be you, lol.

Keep in mind the carseat you use has to be FAA approved, not all carseats can be used in a plane. The seat would have the certification on the stickers you find on the sides of the seat. If your 13 month old fits the requirements you would save yourself a lot of headaches by renting them.

Hope everything works out!

We have one and have used it many times and love it. We started using it when my daughter was just over two. It is so easy to use and she was excited because she could sit in a real seat. Now we just check her car seat and use the CARES thing. We have probably used ours about 10 times. But we just took a trip in may and I think that was the last time we will be able to use it because my daughter is almost 5 and is jsut at the weight limit for the restraint.....
I would say if you travel often, then it is worth buying it. But if this is for one trip, it isn't worth it. I think you can rent them (look on ebay). That way you can see if you think it is worth it. I think I am going to try and sell mine since we can't use it anymore.

I bought it and loved it. I used it for a couple of years to keep my little one safe in his seat. I would highly recommend it.

I rented it then bought my own since we travel to FL 2X a year we bought our own. It took me a while to learn to set up but all in all would def get again.

Love it love it love it. We bought Cares harnesses when my twins were almost two and have used them about ten times since. They're so easy to carry, upper easy to install, and they keep the child restrained just like a car seat. I have lent them to friends who then went and bout their own.

If you'll only travel once with small kids, you can rent them on eBay. If not, buy them! FYI- if your 13 month old is 20 pounds you can put her in a Cares too.

To Cheryl.

The CARES harness is for a child in their own seat. The 2yo child is required to have their own seat.

We have one and like it. From around 2-4 yo, it's helpful. With my 4+yo, though, we won't use it anymore. We'll save it until my youngest turns 2.

seriously? I used it once - I would rather spend the money to get my child their own seat! I know it's not cheap - but it's such a pain to have your child on your lap for that long!!!

EDIT: sorry - confused the CARES with the red harness I bought...it looks the same except you use it around you...urgh....