Flying w/ Infant in Lap - Your Experiences?

[Kirk]

We made a last minute change in plans - bought air tickets and am extending our stay a couple days.

Catryna will be just under 2 months, is happy most all the time and is getting strong (10 Lbs 4 oz @ 6 weeks and rolling herself over now) but I've never tried to fly with an lap infant before. Any words of wisdom?



I can fly!

 

[Chrissi Pooh]

No advice......just wanted to say how beautiful she is, just amazing!!!! Have fun on your trip!!

 

[lil mermaid]

I haven't done it...and I don't think that I ever would.

We were flying from Boston to San Francisco and there was some turbulence (it was the scary kind...when the plane just seems to DROP.) A woman across the aisle from us had a small infant in her arms. The baby's face hit the seat in front of her and then fell out of her hands. The baby was not hurt...but it was scary to see, that is for sure.

 

[MosMom]

I personally would buy her a seat. She is still young and would be much safer in her infant car seat strapped in. I have travelled with my kids without buying a seat to Canada because the planes are never full and we can strap them in anyway. However, I imagine a flight to Orlando in the summer will most likely be full.

If you decide not to buy the seat, I would make sure she is in a sling or snugli with mom and not just loose in your arms. Turbulence & air pockets can be pretty nasty!

 

[birdiesunshine]

It shouldn't be a problem. She'll probably sleep most of the time and since she's not too mobile, you won't have to worry about her trying to squirm out of the seat into the aisle. Now flying with my 19 month old in another 12 days is another story

 

[snoopy]

I've done it -- I didn't realize I was committing a mortal sin until I read the DIS boards -- its a BIG no no around here, apparently.

It was no big deal for us, the flight was short and there was no turbulence. DH and I traded off every 1/2 hour. Both of my boys have always been good travelers so we had no problems.

 

[Big Dude]

2 months, how precious. I've done this before and didn't have too much trouble. Others think that it is bordering on child abuse. Now I know this doesn't work all of the time, but try bottle feeding your little one during both the ascent and descent. This will help the ears equalize much like gum does for some of us. They also have a product called earplanes that do the same trick for some people. I'm not sure if they are for infants though.

Have a great trip.

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[zakatak]

I would do whatever you want... so I have nothing really important to add except my son was 10 lbs 13 oz when he was born! So you're picture brought back memories of my NEWBORN! Yeah, he was big with a lots of black hair! He did win over all the nurses, though .

Good luck on the trip! Remember, you can't use sunscreen on infants so please keep her in the shade, even on cloudy days she can get burned. Also, watch the feet and hands in the stroller.

Karen

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I flew with DS2mo(at the time) from SC to Montana-no problems. I was more nervous about "crying baby on airplane" than turbulence, does that make me a bad mom? Anyway, like I said, we didn't have any turbulence, I held him the whole way, and nursed him when he was about to lose it. In fact, on the return trip we sat next to another nursing mom, so DH was on the aisle seat with two babies happily slurping away right next to him!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

What a sweetheart!

She's rolling over at 6 weeks? That is really early. You're going to have an early walker on your hands there Grandpa. Watch out then!

 

[Bichon Barb]

I've got my popcorn, and I'm ready for the show!

We flew to Florida when DS#2 was 2 months old. I'd just recommend nursing or giving her a bottle when you take off and land. Or if she takes a pacifier, that works well too.

Best of luck to you. Oh, and she's safer on your lap in the plane than she is if you drove there.

 

[CamColt]

Weve done it twice, once with a 15 month old and once with an 8 month old. Both times they were fine. With any luck the baby will sleep a good amount of time during the flight.
I like Mosmom's idea of keeping her in a snugli during the flight. That should make it more comfortable for mom too.
Enjoy!

 

[JVL1018]

We flew with our 3 month old daughter on our lap--on the advice of the Delta reservationist-I didn't even know you didn't have to buy them a seat(this was our first LOL).
Bad advice.
The ride down was fine-the flight back we had horrible turbulence and my husband had a really hard time really keeping a hold of her. It was not safe at all.
In all subsequent flights, she and our son have had their own seat.

 

[kasar]

We flew with a 10 month old. I also didn't know that I should have gotten another seat. It does make sense now that I think about it, but I just followed the guidelines at the time. Everything was fine - I think she slept most of the way.

Just a nosy question, Kirk (you don't have to answer if you don't want to): I was just wondering who is responsible for little Catryna if her mom isn't 18. Do you have the legal responsibilty for both of them? I was going to answer to this thread that "it's her baby and she can do whatever she wants to" but then I wasn't sure if that was true or not. I'm just curious.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Most carriers will also give you 1/2 price infant fares. I have read that Southwest does this from the full price ticket, not sale prices. Other major airlines give you 1/2 of the sale price.

We have flown with DD 3 times and bought her a seat. However, I did take her out to nurse her and she slept in my arms for a while, but she was in her seat most of the time. I made sure she was in her seat for take off and landing also.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

if you don't buy her a seat, bring her car seat on board anyhow, you may be able to use an empty seat. if you can't use it, they'll check it as luggage for you.

bring twice as many diapers as you think you'll need.

if she's on formula, bring twice as much as you think you'll need.

 

[kimber79]

No real advice to add here, personally I would buy a seat. It just seems safer to me.........but I have never experienced it either way.

I just wanted to say ~ I CAN'T BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN 6 WEEKS ALREADY. Wow! She is beautiful, and growing like a weed!

 

[MelessaG]

I did it in an emergency with my youngest dd when she was about 5 mos. old. I kept her in a sling so I could nurse discreetly during take-off and landing and she did great. We didn't experience any turbulance either, but I did feel safer using a sling. I second bringing the car seat just in case there is room. It didn't work out for me that way, but it was nice during layovers to have a place to put her while in the ladies' room or checking in for my next flight so I had both hands free for a few minutes. (The sling worked at the check-in counter, but wasn't much use in the ladies room. )

 

[tjmw2727]

I have done it with both dd's and it was fine but after dh and I have been flying for business more often I can honestly say I would not do it now.

FWIW you are no longer allowed to use a sling or snugli on the aircraft - during one landing I think I would have lost dd if not for the snugli. Only a CSR with a sticker stating it is FAA approved will be allowed these days.

A recent flight that dh was on had an issue with landing gear. All passengers were required to take off shoes and the FA's gave the emergency landing instructions. In the event that the emergency got to a certain stage lap children were to be placed under the seat in front like a carry on! I honestly can't even imagine this? Luckily they did not get to this stage and obviously landed safely, the landing gear was fine the equipement just didn't show it. I don't think has a more than a 1 in a million chance of happening but its worth some consideration.

If nothing else plan to bring the carseat along, if there is an empty seat they will allow you to use the carseat for baby.

If you have some time do some research on the subject and recommendations and then make an informed decision that is right for you and your baby.

Have a wonderful trip.

TJ

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by tjmw2727
FWIW you are no longer allowed to use a sling or snugli on the aircraft - during one landing I think I would have lost dd if not for the snugli. Only a CSR with a sticker stating it is FAA approved will be allowed these days.

A recent flight that dh was on had an issue with landing gear. All passengers were required to take off shoes and the FA's gave the emergency landing instructions. In the event that the emergency got to a certain stage lap children were to be placed under the seat in front like a carry on! I honestly can't even imagine this? Luckily they did not get to this stage and obviously landed safely, the landing gear was fine the equipement just didn't show it. I don't think has a more than a 1 in a million chance of happening but its worth some consideration.


TJ

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I would purchase a ticket and use a car seat.. And after reading the above, I would never attempt to fly with an infant without a car seat!! Can you imagine being in that same scenario and being forced to put your baby under the seat in front of you?????? Yikes!