Kidco Pea Pod Review

Another one of our unique travel gear rentals is the Kidco Pea Pod. It's about the length of a Pack N Play but no where near the 30 lb weight or odd bulky shape. At just 5 lbs and folded in it's slim round carrying case, it's about the size of a spring-type sunshade for your car (those of us in Phoenix are VERY familiar with them!) It springs open right out of it's case and is ready to use, no assembly required. Blow up the air mattress insert with a provided hand pump, and you're ready to go.

The Pea Pod is a great option for motorhomes and RV's, trailers, or outdoor camping. It zips shut with a mesh flap or can be left open and folded back. The fabric of the Pea Pod is UV protective too. We used one on a camping trip with our then 2 year old and it worked very well. We were able to pop it open when she was ready for bed and still able to maneuver around it inside the RV. It was a fun play tent for her during the day too. We had previously tried using a Pack N Play and it was too big to fit in any of the open floor spaces in the trailer. The narrowness and flexiblity of the Pea Pod made it a much better option for us. She's almost too big for it now so we've moved up to the Phil and Ted's Traveller but Kidco does make a PeaPod Plus that's bigger too.

Phil and Ted's Traveller Review

I just picked up a couple Phil and Ted's Traveller beds today and tested them out with my official product tester, my (almost) 3 year old daughter. I was interested in these for her height, although they do officially say to discontinue use at 35 inches tall. She's been able to climb out of a Pack N Play since she was less than 2 and has been too long to fit in one for some time. The situation was tough because she wasn't ready to move into a toddler bed (ie. not be confined), but when we travelled, she was too big for anything else.

Here's a few snapshots I took of her in it for a size comparison. She is almost 3 years old and is 38.5" tall. It doesn't appear that she can crawl over the top of the railings and the side does zipper open if we wanted her to have free reign to get in and out. She can lay comfortably, completely stretched out with a few inches to spare (and I actually think she is napping in it while I type this!) The side and top panels zipper open/off for easy access for babies or smaller children and there is a self-inflating mattress that goes in a zippered pocket in the bottom.

The specs:
Lightweight travel crib - 5.6 lbs (without mattress)
Open: 51" x 24.8" x 31"
Folded: 24.8" x 8.6" x 8.6"
Lightweight aluminium frame/fabric is washable & waterproof
Self inflating mattress (cushion & insulation)
Not too difficult to put together after you've done it wrong the first time

CARES for Special Needs Children

I've talked a lot about how easy and safe the Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) is and I've come across another wonderful use for it. I was recently contacted by a mom of a special needs 15 year old to rent a CARES after she read about another family who used a CARES harness on their flight for an older child. I was unsure of the process to actually be allowed to use it outside of it's pre-approved 44lb weight, so I contacted Louise Stoll, creator of the CARES and owner of Kids Fly Safe. She graciously explained the entire process of obtaining an FAA Exemption to use the system for a special needs child or adult who does not fit within the pre-approved weight. If your child is already in the 22-44lb weight range, no exemption is needed.

Below is what you can do to ensure your special needs child remains safe and secure on your flight and can use the CARES harness:

1 .Discuss with your caregiver (doctor, physical therapist etc) whether the CARES will provide sufficient upper body support for your child

2. Contact the FAA and request what is called an Exemption (meaning an exemption from the regulations governing the weight and height of CARES users) for your child. The person to contact in the FAA is Ms. Nancy Claussen Nancy.L.Claussen@faa.gov.

3. Explain in the email to Ms. Claussen why your child needs the extra support beyond a seat belt, and state that you and their caregiver believe CARES is appropriate for your child to use. Include your child's height and weight, and ask permission to use the CARES. Be sure your contact information is clear, as the FAA will no doubt call to be certain that they understand the situation.

4. The letter should indicate that you are aware that exemptions have been made in the past, and that they understand your will need to seat your child in a seat where no one is behind them who might push against her seat back. (This means the last row of any section of the plane.)

5. Allow at least 4 weeks prior to your trip, but the earilier the better, to receive the exemption.

Beach Vacation

Here's a photo of us on our last San Diego beach trip. We make these frequently to get out of the AZ summer heat! We took one of Sweet Pea Baby Rental's BOB's along for the journey and pushed it loaded with our 2.75 year old and beach gear through the sands of Pacific Beach with no problem. I can't say enough how much I love these strollers! Rent one from us today for your next summer escape.

Want to see more travel pics? Check out Photo Friday at Delicous Baby!