Baby on plane - where do you put them if not in a carseat?

[NotUrsula]

I thought that if there were turbalents, she'd be in the sling, if I had to leave the aircraft, she'd be secure attatched to me!! I imagine some fool sued the airlines, or some lawyer saw a possiblitie of a lawsuit...

No, that's not it at all. The reason that they are banned is that dummy tests have shown that in the event of an impact that causes passengers to be thrown forward (such as happens when two planes cross too closely on a runway, or when a takeoff has to be aborted), an infant secured to a parent's body will be crushed between the adult and the seat in front; the child's body will act as an airbag. In the event of trouble, being on the floor is safer than being on an adult's lap, as the legs of adults and the seat brackets will help to prevent a baby from becoming either an airbag or a human missile.

 

[ptslp]

After reading these posts, I am curious what people do when their baby is crying in their seat and is incosolable? I bought a seat for my son when he was an infant and ended up having to hold him most of our return flight because all he would do is cry in the carseat.

Also, I did use my baby bjorn on the flight- no one said anything about it. Now that I have read the previous post, I can understand why not to use it, but it was not made clear to me on the plane.

I know that there are some airlines that give the 50% discount for infants in a seat, but there are many that do not. I know they are considering making it a law that all children that require carseats be in a carseat on a plane- that would make it all easier- no decisions to make!

 

[dtsaos]

Hi, scanned the responses really quick, but I just wanted to add:
4 yrs ago we used the Baby b'air from one step ahead when my son was 4 months old and I thought it was one of the greatest things ever. He was secured to my seat belt the entire time we were in the plane and I held him in my arms as well. Maybe it's selfish of me, but if he were in the car seat, I probably would've wanted to hold him the whole time and knowing my son, he would've screamed the whole time too! However, at that time, I don't remember it being as much of an issue as it seems to be now. We don't fly anymore-that was a one time deal for a family thing-so now we drive or take the train everywhere. Anyway, I'm not sure why so many people think the baby b'air is bad, I personally thought it was designed very well and would recommend it. And I know I'm gonna get flamed for this-whatever! To me it wasn't about saving money, it was about being able to hold my baby safely and securely during the flight. Our flight home was quite turbulant and I just kept thinking that I was so glad I could hold him in my arms and know that he wouldn't fly out of them if godforbid the plane was going down or something. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Tara]

First off, definitely inquire about half-price fares for your little one.

Second, definitely take the seat with you to the gate. If they have an open seat, they will work to move you around so you can use the seat for the baby.

Third, check with your carrier. I see you are in Canada -- I know some European airlines offer a special clip that you can use to somehow belt the baby to you. My memory on this is very vague, but I recall looking it up when a friend mentioned it.

As someone else said, Baby B'air isn't approved for take-off and landing by the FAA, but that might not apply to you if you are on a non-US carrier.

 

[Tara]

I know that there are some airlines that give the 50% discount for infants in a seat, but there are many that do not. I know they are considering making it a law that all children that require carseats be in a carseat on a plane- that would make it all easier- no decisions to make!

That legislation has been kicked around for a while. I think the AAP is pushing it this time (I can't remember for sure), but an FAA study a few years back showed that requiring children under 2 to be ticketed passengers would result in more families opting to drive rather than fly, thereby increasing the danger to those children because more would be likely to die in auto accidents. It might actually go through this time, though -- who knows.

 

[magicfan]

Maybe you could book a redeye flight, or on a day/time where not as many people are traveling, that way you have a good chance that there will be an extra seat available, and you won't have to pay for it. Just a thought.

 

[the kabuki]

PrincessasMomma- Don't let other people judge or flame you because you're not buying an extra seat. The youngest age mine flew at was 2, and never put them in a car seat. And that little ones' going to end up in your lap for 99% of the flight anyways, so why buy another tix?

 

[metta4]

First of all...Hugs to you and your family. I am sorry your asking for advice has seem to turn into a bit of a debate...I am sure that is not what you wanted or need right now.

I have 2 boys. My oldest will be 3 at the time of travel and will have his own seat. The youngest will be 1.5 and will be in my lap.

All I can saw is do what is best and right for you and your family. Look at all your options and make an informed decision...don;t let anyone imply or tell you that you are a bad mother if you don't side with their feelings on the issue.

Again..Hugs to you and your family.

 

[lovethattink]

When my son was 18 months old we didn't buy him a ticket. For us it was a BIG mistake. He would not sit on our laps. He wanted to play. He wanted to run. So the next time we flew, we used the car seat. He sat in it the whole time. Played with his toys while seated. We had a much nice flight.

 

[disnutt]

Never had a problem with the Baby B'Air when I used it a few years back. FA saw it on baby and didn't say a word. I even used it during take off/landing.

We're able to get a seat for all three kids now. We used the BB by itself a couple years ago when I was in grad school with 2 little ones. We've got a 3rd one now and we've got the seat but also the BB for in case DS gets fussy and wants to sit on our laps. That's probably going to be the majority of the time. He's fine in the carseat in the car because he can't see my lap but once he senses that I'm available he wants to sit there.

On my last flight I saw at least 4 babes in arms. None of the parents had any slings/BB or anything. It may be IDEAL to have the child in a seat but the Baby B'Air seems to offer some control of a less than ideal situation.

 

[tjmw2727]

It may be IDEAL to have the child in a seat but the Baby B'Air seems to offer some control of a less than ideal situation.

Except that they are not allowed on US carriers! As mentioned before anything that you use to "attach" baby to your person can result in the baby acting as your airbag. I know people have been able to use them in the past but in my experience they are not allowed and I have seen many parents not able to use them. I have seen on two occasions when the parent has been insistant on using it and the FA has removed the sling/snugli/ BBA to be returned after the flight.

I have not commented on the OP's choice not to buy the seat - just trying to impart information - I posted links above and I am trying to help the OP and all others make an informed decistion. What they decide is up to them.

TJ

 

[DissyLove]

I held our baby on our last trip, because the flight attendant said lap children must be held, not restrained if we are sharing a seat. I don't know if that is true for all airlines, but you may want to look in to it. Good luck on your travels!

 

[Tinkim]

On our first trip to WDW my DD was then 18 months old. My DH and I discussed it and we both felt she needed her own seat for her carseat. She was very good on the plane and stayed in her carseat the entire time except for that one interesting trip to the tiny bathroom to change her diaper. We didn't get a discounted seat so yes we paid extra and yup it was a pain to lug the carseat onto the plane without beheading the other passengers or rendering them unconscious but this is what worked best for us. You have to make a choice based on your own circumstances even if other people don't agree with your choice. Good luck with your decision. Read the advice here and then make up your own mind. I think you will know the right decision to make for your family. Incidentally, we went down to Florida to see DH's grandfather as the kids had never met him and they wouldn't have had another chance to do so if we hadn't gone when we did. So I understand that situation very well and I'm sorry your grandmother is not well. Have a good trip and just do what is right for you.

 

[dtsaos]

so basically what some of you are saying is that it's better to hold your baby and not attach them to you so that if the plane crashes your baby can go flying out of your arms and have certain death? I never heard about the baby acting as an "air bag" thing before, but even if that's true, why would the airlines let you just "hold" them if that's the case? Pretty much if you hold them without a restriant system then they will definetly die if the plane crashes but you might survive? Sounds pretty crappy to me! On the other hand if you bring a car seat, what are the odds that the baby will actually stay in it during flight anyway? So you're right back to holding your baby without restraint again! That's why to me the baby b'air makes so much sense. And let's be real people, no I don't have statistics on this but I'm pretty sure that for the most part when planes crash there's very little chance for survival unlike when cars get into accidents. I hate to say this but i really think that the whole car seat on planes thing started because it became the politically correct thing to do.
Lst year I was on a similar thread to this, and I suggested the baby b'air and someone that was sooooo against it said that it was totally illegal and that one step ahead didn't sell it anymore, etc. I was like "oh my G_ _ ! i'm so sorry that I brought it up" and then I checked the one step ahead website and Lo and behold it was still for sale. So I'm hesitant to believe that there's been lots of incidents where the airlines have not let people wear the baby b'air. As we've seen on this thread, I'm not the only one who has successfully worn one and not been told not to.

 

[DissyLove]

I don't have anything against any restraint, I was just explaining what happened when I travelled with my baby. They told me airline regulations said I had to hold her, no restraints. I would suggest the OP call her airline to double check on their rules just to make sure.

 

[k_k_100]

The facts are that the FAA for take-off & landing does not allow Baby B’Air. It IS allowed during flight. The majority of injuries occur due to turbulence during flight. Many flight attendants will look the other way if you use one during take-off or landing - some will not. The Baby B'Air is effective for safety during turbulence - often it hits when you are not expecting it.

Most US Airlines offer 1/2-price seats for children under 2. Some discount carriers do not offer this. You also cannot get one if you are using air miles to travel.

Good luck on your trip. We had a couple of occasions when traveling when we used miles that we could just not afford a seat for dd (eg. - almost $3,000 for a seat on the same plane). We always tried to fly during off peak times when this arose. Out of over 20 flights we only had to hold her in our laps 2. We always brought her car seat - then gate checked it w/ her stroller if we had to.

I have a good friend who is a flight attendant. She always looked the other way w/ Baby B'Air - she felt it was better to have the baby attached to something rather then flying through the cabin. She always went out of her way to help parents find a seat for their baby. Unfortunately not all are like this. Go, have fun, and enjoy Disney!

 

[tjmw2727]

so basically what some of you are saying is that it's better to hold your baby and not attach them to you so that if the plane crashes your baby can go flying out of your arms and have certain death? I never heard about the baby acting as an "air bag" thing before, but even if that's true, why would the airlines let you just "hold" them if that's the case? Pretty much if you hold them without a restriant system then they will definetly die if the plane crashes but you might survive? Sounds pretty crappy to me! On the other hand if you bring a car seat, what are the odds that the baby will actually stay in it during flight anyway? So you're right back to holding your baby without restraint again! That's why to me the baby b'air makes so much sense. And let's be real people, no I don't have statistics on this but I'm pretty sure that for the most part when planes crash there's very little chance for survival unlike when cars get into accidents. I hate to say this but i really think that the whole car seat on planes thing started because it became the politically correct thing to do.
Lst year I was on a similar thread to this, and I suggested the baby b'air and someone that was sooooo against it said that it was totally illegal and that one step ahead didn't sell it anymore, etc. I was like "oh my G_ _ ! i'm so sorry that I brought it up" and then I checked the one step ahead website and Lo and behold it was still for sale. So I'm hesitant to believe that there's been lots of incidents where the airlines have not let people wear the baby b'air. As we've seen on this thread, I'm not the only one who has successfully worn one and not been told not to.

Ok - I am not saying it is better to hold your baby, fwiw I am in favor of using a CSR for a baby and personally would not fly with a lap baby. However that is not the question the OP asked so I am trying to answer her question - what to do with a lap baby, hold baby on your lap!!

The FAA and American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend a CSR and neither approve of the use of the harness/vest type devices for aircraft travel. In fact the FAA does not allow them for take off or landing and most carriers don't allow them at all. Why do the airlines "let you" hold them, well my guess is $$ and statistics but I can't answer that.

Again this is not my opinion it is FAA regulations. I don't doubt you used one and I am sure you made the best decsion for your family based on the informaiton at the time. I am saying that I have personally seen the FA not allow a sling and also a BBA, October 04 and December 04. You may be hesitant to beleive me, that's ok, but I have seen it.

Check out any US carriers website on traveling with children and the wording is quite clear. I guess its up to the individual FA's as to the enforcement.

I posted the link in my eariler post along with a quote, every carrier has similar wording.

As for an emergency situation you will not be able to hold your baby but baby will be placed on the floor between your feet to prevent the baby becoming a projectile. DH was in such a situation when they could not verify the landing gear was operating properly. Luckily it was, but they had to prepare for an emergency landing. He said it was very scary, so scary that we never even considered not using the CSR with our kids. And yes they did stay in the carseat, they do in the car and the did in the air it was familiar and comfortable.

Why is the BBA still for sale? Honestly this baffles me, I can't undersand why they can claim what they claim. Perhaps they are ok for overseas flights. I know that if I bought one only to be denied its use by an FA I would be expecting a full refund.

TJ

 

[k_k_100]

I just became a Mouseketeer!!!

 

[DissyLove]

Does anyone think the airlines are going to require all infants to have their own seat in a few years, and will they require a car seat, as is law in our vehicles? Just wondering if that is coming soon....

 

[Mersmom98]

I flew with my dd when she was 8 months old and just held her. Your baby will be fine, and you can't compare driving in a car with millions of other people driving beside you (including 16 year olds!YIKES!!) and flying in an airplane with a highly trained pilot. Just make sure that you are well rested and relaxed for your children's sake and everything will be fine. Tense mothers = tense children. Hope you have a great trip!