Lap Child or own seat

[Davids-Coco]

We will be flying from Portland to Seattle and then Seattle to MCO (5 hrs) in September. We will have DS with us. He will be 1 at the time and is very active. We are having a hard time deciding how to fly. Either we "lap child" DS and go first class and have extra room (on the 5 hr - PDX to SEA is a commuter flight). Or, we buy him his own seat, take the carseat (which we won't really need once we are there), and go coach. Price isn't an issue... since they will cost about the same. We just don't know what to do. Any been there, done that parents who have info to share?

TIA!

[RangerPooh]

We've been there and done that! We fly from Seattle to MCO all the time and have been faced with this issue before. We flew with DD2 as a lap infant until she was 20 months. She's very active and it was definately a challenge! As she is now 2 she has her own seat and we bring the car seat along as it's the only way to keep her in her seat. We just returned from WDW last week and having to tote the carseat between the airport and hotel was a chore esp since we had connections during the flight, but it was well worth it. These days our youngest DD 5mo is a lap infant, so it's nice to remember how easy it is to fly with an infant.

So if money isn't an issue I'd buy a seat. First class is great but when your child doesn't want to sit still the 5 hour flight can seem much longer. BTW we've also done the commuter flights between PDX/SEA, SEA/Spokane, and PDX/Spokane and they are usually on tiny planes (2x2 seats) and the seats are very small and believe me having a very active lap infant isn't much fun.

[Tinkmom]

Having flown with a toddler, I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to keep one from running all over the plane, probably after only a few minutes. And trying to keep them in your lap would be a nightmare and everyone in first class, if not the whole plane, would be highly irritated as most would pitch a fit to be free.

My kids were so ingrained to riding in a car seat that it was not a big deal to keep them in that while flying. They also were comfortable for napping, looking at books, and otherwise being entertained at an easy level.

[va32h]

I would get opt for the extra seat in coach. For the reasons everyone else gave, and also because I think people in first class have less patience for a toddler in their midst!

Once, my then-18 month old and I got bumped to first class because the flight was oversold. There was a look of dread and horror on everyone's face as we came up the aisle!

[Davids-Coco]

Tinkmom, I wish our lives were that easy. Our little guy doesn't like his carseat too much. Hence why considering it.

va32h, we aren't concerned about what people think. For the most part, no one not recently in the situation has tollerance for little kids.

[emerymt]

We have three kids and have always flown with them. One was a car-seat hater, as well! We always put them in their own seat. I personally didn't want to hold them for that long, it's uncomfortable. Although it's not much of a concern, it's safer to have a child in a car seat in case of turbulence, too.

[va32h]

Tinkmom, I wish our lives were that easy. Our little guy doesn't like his carseat too much. Hence why considering it.

va32h, we aren't concerned about what people think. For the most part, no one not recently in the situation has tollerance for little kids.

Well I was trying to make a joke, with that last part. Sorry.

FWIW, even when I bought my under 2 her own seat, I didn't bother with the carseat, and no airline ever required it. She just sat in the seat with the belt during takeoff and landing, and the rest of the time sat in the seat, or laid in my lap, or stood on the floor in front of her seat.

[Steve's Wife]

Please get your DS his own seat -- my brother-in-law is a flight attendant. They call lap babies projectiles. Turbulence is not uncommon and . . .

[Davids-Coco]

Well I was trying to make a joke, with that last part. Sorry.

FWIW, even when I bought my under 2 her own seat, I didn't bother with the carseat, and no airline ever required it. She just sat in the seat with the belt during takeoff and landing, and the rest of the time sat in the seat, or laid in my lap, or stood on the floor in front of her seat.
lol, ya know... that computer sarcasm escapes me on occassion... lol

[graygables]

My dad is retired from American, so my DDs have logged MANY hours from the time they were infants. Buy the seat. Use the car seat. You'll be surprised how having the seat next to you in a new environment helps little ones who don't ordinarily care for their seats. It also offers a familiar and SAFE place. I have been on planes where little ones were injured b/c of turbulence, and on a plane that was prepped for several hours for us to survive the crash where the pilot did a major maneuver last ditch effort to pull down the landing gear, flight attendants were literally rolling in the aisle and lap children flung up, hitting the overhead bins. If money is no object, provide the safest travel for your child in his OWN seat.

[clownchk]

ANother vote for buying his own seat...PLUS its that much more luggage you get to take with you LOL!

We bought out then 15 month old his own seat and were able to take a large cooler on wheels as a checked bag. We bought a TSA lock for it and instead of paying for a fridge, we refilled it with ice each night. It kept our milk, juice and water cold the entire week we were there!!

We were allowed an extra carry on (In addition to his diaper bag) which was nice for extra toys for all the kids (We had a 5 and 4 YO as well) And since we gate checked the double stroller, there wasn't much "extra" to carry and we were expressed through the security check point!

All these bonuses AND it is MUCH safer for everyone!!!

[emerymt]

Yes! I forgot about the extra luggage one can take with another seat! Sometimes (not going to Disney) we'd use that for dive gear or one of those travel beds/playpens, because (whichever child it was) would sleep better in his/her own playpen. Also, not every place has great cribs, some of them are pretty rickety :eek: .

With the five of us and our nanny we just got into the habit of counting bags at the airport- which was fine until one day we counted the car seat as a bag (sometimes we did check the car seat) and left the airport without a piece of luggage. Actually, this happened twice. So I'm rather sanguine about the airlines losing my luggage- they can't be any worse than our family :lmao:

[Disneyforus]

If you do decide to not purchase his own seat...there is a Vest called Baby B'air that your child wears during the cruise portion of the flight, and it attaches to your seatbelt...so you wouldn't have to be as concerned about turbulence. We bought ours on ebay for our 18 month old. By the way, it is FAA approved.

Good Luck!

[all4fun]

If you do decide to not purchase his own seat...there is a Vest called Baby B'air that your child wears during the cruise portion of the flight, and it attaches to your seatbelt...so you wouldn't have to be as concerned about turbulence. We bought ours on ebay for our 18 month old. By the way, it is FAA approved.

Good Luck!

The Baby B'Aire cannot be used on take off, landing, or during taxi.

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
While booster seats and harness vests enhance safety in vehicles, FAA prohibits passengers from bringing these types of devices on airplanes for use during taxi, take-off and landing. These devices should be checked as baggage. Also, supplemental lap restraints or "belly belts" are not approved for use in both airplanes and vehicles in the United States
The only harness that is currently approved for use on airplanes is called the CARES harness (http://www.kidsflysafe.com/) and is for children weighing 22-44lbs who have their own seat.


We've always bought a seat for ds to use, starting when he was 13mos (his first trip). There have been quite a few times I totally didn't regret it. One time in particular comes to mind when there was quite a bit of turbulence on our flight back into Portland. It did give some peace of mind knowing my ds wasn't going to go flying off my lap because he was strapped securely into his car seat. Is it a pain to take through the airport? Sure it is. But it was totally worth the hassle to know he was at least as safe as I was. jmho. hth.

[Benducci]

I have always bought my girls their own seats. I just felt it was safer in case there was an accident. Also I don't have to have a childon my lap for the trip making it more comfortable for them & me. I brought their own carseats so that they were comfortable and used to them.

[notafan]

Flew once with an 18 month old. Get the seat you will appreciate having it.

Just don't stop at the curb to drop off you wife and kids and unload the car or you will have a parking enforcer slap a $100 ticket on you for trying to help out:mad: (It wasn't nice of me, but I wished him a life of perptual jock itch as I went to park the car)

[grlpwrd]

We will be flying from Portland to Seattle and then Seattle to MCO (5 hrs) in September. We will have DS with us. He will be 1 at the time and is very active. We are having a hard time deciding how to fly. Either we "lap child" DS and go first class and have extra room (on the 5 hr - PDX to SEA is a commuter flight). Or, we buy him his own seat, take the carseat (which we won't really need once we are there), and go coach. Price isn't an issue... since they will cost about the same. We just don't know what to do. Any been there, done that parents who have info to share?

TIA!

If price isn't an issue, then bring the carseat.

I have worked for 2 different airlines and my 2 brothers still work for one - it really is better to be safe than sorry.

Even if your little guy doesn't care for the carseat on a day to day basis, it might be comforting for him in a strange environment to have something familiar.

GL!

[Tracie Wallace]

I also vote for getting your baby it's own seat - safer and more convenient for you. I always bought my baby a seat except once - and I regretted it! You might even check the price in First Class for a baby - usually the price of a seat is much less than for an adult.

My baby is now 10 (she's still my baby), but I remember the looks of horror as I walked down the aisle with her. Then after the flight everyone congratulates you as to your great child if she doesn't fuss during the flight.:rolleyes:

[RayJay]

We will be flying from Portland to Seattle and then Seattle to MCO (5 hrs) in September. We will have DS with us. He will be 1 at the time and is very active. We are having a hard time deciding how to fly. Either we "lap child" DS and go first class and have extra room (on the 5 hr - PDX to SEA is a commuter flight). Or, we buy him his own seat, take the carseat (which we won't really need once we are there), and go coach. Price isn't an issue... since they will cost about the same. We just don't know what to do. Any been there, done that parents who have info to share?

TIA!

Boy oh Boy, we bought a seat and brought the carseat, after watching everyone hold their kids for 2 1/2 hours, it was the right choice for us. Definately get a seat if money is no concern. 5 hours yikes, I couldn't do it, but then again many people on SWA were doing it. It was at christmas too, the plane was packed.

Good luck
RayJay

[jessica52877]

I vote for own seat due to length of flight. I would put him in the carseat and pretty much not take him out unless absolutely necessary. I have found that my son sits great on the plane in his seat, he also doesn't know he has the option of getting out. 5 hours is probably a pretty long time, hopefully he'll sleep, but I would not want to be holding him for 5 hours, trying to keep him from wanting down, etc. Around 1 is also my borderline age for buying a seat anyways vs a lap child. Size is often a consideration.

[MiniGirl]

Add me to the "buy him his own seat" crowd. Not only is it truly safer for him. It is better for YOU as well. We love our little ones, but holding them that long is hard and tiring. Trying to eat or even keep a cup of soda on your tray can become a challenge. Also, you can put your carry ons under the seat in front of him -- thus leaving the area by your seat free.

[katerkat]

I held my son as a lap baby for about a half dozen flights when he was under 1 - all cross country. (No, wait, one was Spokane to Disneyland.) Then when he was 13 months old, he learned to walk, and from then on, we had to buy a seat because I couldn't contain him alone anymore.

The next half dozen flights, we used the carseat, which was great for most of them but a disaster for the last two. He did not want to be in it and he screamed and fought the entire time he was in it.

This upcoming flight, this weekend, will be his first flight sans carseat (but in a seat.) Cross country again! I'll let you know how it goes. ;)

[#1 Pocahontas]

He did not want to be in it and he screamed and fought the entire time he was in it.


Oh my, that was our experience the last time we flew. We only had a 2 1/2 hour flight and it was probably the longest 2 1/2 hour of my life. My only saving grace was that I had another mother behind me that understood and she didn't get mad or at least didnt' let her annoyance show. :scared:
DD hardly spent any time in her seat. She was constantly in and out of it while I was trying to get her to stop crying and screaming. She was 12 months at the time.

My other daughter has always had her own seat. She never did this, she always just slept the entire flight. Even a 9 hour one! I think she felt totally comfortable in her carseat and just relaxed.

I'd say go with the car seat, but from my last experience I also say be prepared for anything! LOL

[cheerbop]

We had my (then 19 mo old) 3 year old in his own car seat the last time. He will be 3 1/2 when we fly this time. He was a BEAR the whole 2 1/2 hour flight back then!!!
We will now have a 9 month old flying with us also. Is it true you are not allowed to have rear facing seats on the flight? That is what his infant seat is. Should we buy him his own seat and use a forward facing seat even though he is to be rear facing normally or????

[wendygrace]

cheerbop, check to see if your carseat is FAA approved. It should have sticker on the back part that says "FAA APproved" or something like that. If it does not, then you'll have to get another carseat. I do believe all carseats need to be forward facing but yours might be set up for that while on an airplane. Which one do you have?

Another former airline employer....get the child the seat. It will give you that extra luggage allowance to bring every possible toy that may entertain. :)

[dhardawa]

We had my (then 19 mo old) 3 year old in his own car seat the last time. He will be 3 1/2 when we fly this time. He was a BEAR the whole 2 1/2 hour flight back then!!!
We will now have a 9 month old flying with us also. Is it true you are not allowed to have rear facing seats on the flight? That is what his infant seat is. Should we buy him his own seat and use a forward facing seat even though he is to be rear facing normally or????

All US infant seats are FAA approved and you can most definitely use a seat rear facing on a plane.

[dhardawa]

Get him his own seat. First, kids are used to being in car seats and kind of know that once they are in them, they are staying. (At least they SHOULD know this.) So, he is much more likely to sit quietly than if you are trying to pin him down the whole flight. Second, he is much safer in his seat. If you hit turbulence, are involved in a runway accident, etc. his car seat could be the difference between life and death. Lap babies are referred to as "cabin missles" in the airline industry.