3 (maybe 4) adults and one baby - flight questions...

[Karenj2]

Hi all - this will be the first time that I'll be flying with a baby (9mo at the time of the trip), and I have some questions/need some advice... (I know this can be a hot topic, so please keep it nice!)

I'd like to get a seat for my baby, however we will be traveling with my MIL, and DH says that since we'd take up an entire row, we should have her just be a lap baby. (Partly for the cost too...)

1) Can anyone recommend a good/safe product to attach her to the belt with me, in case of turbulence? (I also have wraps to "wear" her when we're in the parks - would those work?)

2) If I can convince DH that we should get a seat for her, should I bring the car seat, or get the CARES harness? We won't be using the car seat for any other reason while we're down there...

3) Any reasonable points I can use to convince hubby? Personal stories?

 

[crashbb]

Hi all - this will be the first time that I'll be flying with a baby (9mo at the time of the trip), and I have some questions/need some advice... (I know this can be a hot topic, so please keep it nice!)

I'd like to get a seat for my baby, however we will be traveling with my MIL, and DH says that since we'd take up an entire row, we should have her just be a lap baby. (Partly for the cost too...)

1) Can anyone recommend a good/safe product to attach her to the belt with me, in case of turbulence? (I also have wraps to "wear" her when we're in the parks - would those work?)

2) If I can convince DH that we should get a seat for her, should I bring the car seat, or get the CARES harness? We won't be using the car seat for any other reason while we're down there...

3) Any reasonable points I can use to convince hubby? Personal stories?

1) Nothing. Attaching your child to you essentially turns your child into your airbag. In fact, many North American airlines ban any such product. They are not allowed during take-off/landing, but some airlines ban that totally since they cannot trust people to only use them when they are allowed to do so.

2) Does your baby like the car seat? Is your baby more likely to sit still in a car seat? At 9 months, can your baby sit in the seat unsupported, without sliding into a very uncomfortable position? Personally, if you don't need the car seat otherwise, I'd probably go with the CARES harness. If you don't fly often, I have seen them for rent (cheaper than buying for a one time use).

3) I've never flown with a lap baby. In my opinion (and the opinion of my family) the safety benefit is worth the cost of the seat. Sorry, I don't have any stories.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

The safest place for a child is in a car seat, in their own seat.

Do not attempt to place a child under your seatbelt or place them into something that connects to your seatbelt, that is a huge safety risk.

The only statement I will make because this subject has been talked to ad nauseam. No matter how hard you hold your child, the sheer force of enertia in the event of an emergency landing or severe turbulence will not allow you to hold that child safely without crushing it.

Think about the Delta plane that crashed in JFK a few days ago because the landing gear failed. Think about how you would safely hold a child while you are holding your head down in a crash position and then hitting the runway. It's a jolt to an adult, never the less a child that his being held in someones arms curled up.

Now, if you're going to choose to drive instead to save the money versus buying an extra seat, then I'd say stick with the lap child as plane travel, even with a lap child is safer then driving.

 

[Hannathy]

Sorry I'm with your husband. I never bought a seat for my kids when they were under 2. They always were lap babies. My DD flew enough in her first year that we were premier or whatever they called it at United at the time. In all those flights including a rough landing where we were told how to brace I never had a problem. If there are 3 of you to pass her around to I think it would be very easy to do.


If you do not plan on using the car seat at Disney I wouldn't be lugging it around the airport for the flight.