Originally Posted by Leigh Ann
But she also said the only times they really do get used are for infants.
You'll find many folks here on FT who'll dispute that. We used a 5 point restraint seat until my son 4.5 years, 42 lbs because that's how long we used it in the car.
Originally Posted by Leigh Ann
That means we won't be able to recline the seat for Katy to sleep and it's likely that her tray table will not completely lower, either, and she needs to be able to eat.
Does her seat recline for her to sleep in the car? My son slept fine in his seat both in the car and in the air (including on flights between Europe and the California) - he was used to the slightly slanted angle of the car seat. Since he outgrew the 5 point seat and he flies in a regular plane seat, he's actually less comfortable, because the seat is too deep for his legs to bend comfortably, and leaning the seat back doesn't help him. Unless you're in a class of service where the seat would recline all the way, I don't think seat recline helps kids a great deal.
I found with my son's seat, we didn't have a problem with the tray table unless the seat in front of us was reclined. Probably depends on how high the seat is.
Originally Posted by Leigh Ann
I think it'll make a long miserable trip even longer and more miserable.
If you've already decided the trip will be miserable, it will be. Parental attitude makes a huge difference in how kids see things.