EXPERIENCED Airplane ride with lap seat child

[CamColt]

Weve done it when 1 DS was 15 months and again when other DS was 8 months. It was really no problem at all, and I wouldnt hesitate to do it again. On those trips the kids slept most of the way in DH's or my arms which made the trip extremely easy. They probably wouldnt have slept so much in a seat. Of course bring favorite toys and something to munch on, to keep them busy.
As for the diaper situation change it before boarding, and hope for the best. We always brought the changing pad, wipes and daipers in our carryon along with a change of clothes, just in case of leaks.
Good luck!

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

I have flown 3 times with my kids from Ohio to Florida and each time at least one kid was under 2 (one time both were LOL). I always have paid extra for their seats and brought along their car seats and I was shocked that nobody else did!!! We did the layover/switch planes thing all 3 times, so we were on 6 different planes full of 6 different sets of people with plenty of little ones and no one else had car seats for their kids.

There was a little girl who had her own seat but no car seat, she prefered to run up & down the aisle. There was a woman who held her baby in a Snugli and there were plenty of kids who just sat with their parents. None of them had any horroble experiences. The kids were mostly good. Of course, my kid screamed for an hour in his car seat and pooped LOL.

There is no way to predict how your child will be. Just go prepared for anything to happen and have a great trip.

 

[holycow]

I've flown all over the US when my DD was younger and didn't have any problems...most of the time I would ask if the flight was full and if not could I change my seat next to an available seat...the car seat was combersome and really restricted movement so I never used it on the plane....I just buckled her in or kept her on my lap with no problems what so ever......

Just have little toys available to keep them busy or hopefully they will sleep the whole way...

good luck to you...

Holycow

 

[holycow]

Its funny you ask for opinions on LAP sitting but everyone
else has to put in there 2 cents worth


HC

 

[wuv tigger]

Have done it multiple times with both DDs and never had a problem. Took DD1 on a 10hr flight to Hawaii when she was 12 mos. and have been to Seattle, Los Angeles, etc. and never had a problem.

We use a 1/4 tablet of dramamine to help the kids sleep. You can also use benadryl, but test beforehand because it makes some kids hyper.

Make sure you have something for the child to suck on during takeoff and landing to help their ear pressure equalize. We also bring a small bag of new toys like McDonalds happy meal toys. We wrap them so it takes awhile to open and play with. Make sure you have snacks because the airlines don't have them.

You can also check your plane. If you are on a 777 it is easy because they have aisles and large galleys where the kids can stretch out. On a 757 or 737 it is hard because it is like a cattle car and there is little room. On all our transcontinental flights the flight attendants have taken the baby for about an hour and passed her around for a baby fix.

If you are worried about turbulence buy a Baby B'air vest at Babies R Us. They cost $20 and provide a safety jacket that hooks into the adults seatbelt. We use one and it works pretty well. I loop the loop around my arm unless we have turbulence and then I buckle it up in my seat belt.

David