Flying w/ Infant in Lap - Your Experiences?

[disdreams]

You do NOT put the infant UNDER the seat where your luggage goes. If there is a big emergency, like if the plane is going down, you put the child on the floor between your legs. I know, that doesn't sound pleasant either, but just wanted to clear up that misunderstanding.

We fly stand-by, and at times there were not enough seats for me to have one for my baby. I could have waited hours, or until the next day to try to get on another flight, or held her on my lap. I held her on my lap. Also, there are people out there who probably can't afford to pay for another seat, and it's nice to have the option of holding your child. I, personally, do not think it is a sin, either. If it were that extrememly dangerous I'm sure there would be a law forbidding it by now. Yes, there is a chance that there may be turbulance, but you could also drive and get killed in an car accident....or, walk outside and get hit by lightning.

For those who would rather be extra safe, that's great, but do not assume that parents who hold their babies on their laps are bad or irresponsible parents. It's simply not true.

The only thing that might bother you is your arms may get tired, so if your spouse, or someone will be with you, take turns. Also, you may need someone to hold baby if you have to use the restroom. Good luck and have a great time.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Oh, what a precious little angel! Have a wonderful trip and take lots and lots and lots of pictures!

We flew a couple of times with DS #1 as a lap child when he was an infant. He did great--I nursed him during takeoff and landing and whenever else he wanted to and he was happy and comfortable the whole time. The sound of the engines put him right to sleep.
Just a side note, though--after the second time flying with DS in my lap I decided I would always buy him a seat. I just couldn't handle hearing the flight attendants' repeated calls for "everyone to keep their seat belts fastened for safety" throughout the flight, knowing that the ONLY person on the plane who didn't have a seatbelt to buckle into was my own little baby!

Best wishes for a fabulous trip. Enjoy that sweet little girl; what a treasure.

 

[Dan Murphy]

She sure is cute, gramps. Wow, 6 weeks!!!!!

As for the plane part, I never have had the situation, but, if it were me, Iwould do a seat and car seat. Just like almost all flights, never a problem, no severe turbulence nor emergencies, but, they do happen, and we are not in control of which flight those will occur on. Just my thoughts.

Enjoy!!!!!

 

[twinmomplus2new]

First of all to the poster that asked who is responsible for the baby as her mother is under 18. Very simple answer HER MOTHER.
As for flying with the baby, I have done it both ways. Never had a problem. Until one screw up with Southwest. They were one seat short for my ticketed twins, who were one year, a little less actually. we hit quite a bit of turbulence. To be honest, I was nervous over the baby in my lap, Not so much about his brother that was in his infant seat happily sleeping away. Since that flight I have never flown with out either one of them in thier seat.
It is up to you. It seems that most of us that have done it have done so until we had a scare that changed our minds and then made the switch.

 

[momof2inPA]

Wow, I am surprised how many have experienced severe turbulence. I have flown tons and not seen that, but I guess I have been lucky. I think I only flew with my son as a lap baby once. The rest of the time, he was able to use an empty seat or we bought him a ticket.

Keeping the child in the carseat as much as possible makes for a much nicer flight, but feeding them on takeoff and landing helps, too. I guess I'm torn.

Best of luck. She looks darling and sweet tempered. I'm sure you'll have a great trip.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by disdreams
You do NOT put the infant UNDER the seat where your luggage goes. If there is a big emergency, like if the plane is going down, you put the child on the floor between your legs.
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Yes, there is a chance that there may be turbulance, but you could also drive and get killed in an car accident....or, walk outside and get hit by lightning.

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If people have incidents where they couldn't even hold on to their child in their arms during severe turbulence, how on earth could someone hang on to a baby in a plane that is "going down" with their legs?? That doesn't make any sense at all..

As for getting killed in a car accident, does that mean people should only put their children in car seats sometimes because odds are you aren't going to be involved in an automobile accident every time you go out?

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I just wanted to stay, She's in such a beautiful angel. We are going to WDW in Nov. and my DD will be a lap baby, she will be 13 months at the time. Have a great time! And though others on this board think otherwise, I don't think its a mortal sin to not buy a child under 2 a seat, especially one as young as yours.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by roliepolieoliefan
I And though others on this board think otherwise, I don't think its a mortal sin to not buy a child under 2 a seat, especially one as young as yours.

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I don't think it's a "mortal sin" - I'm just very confused as to why parents choose not to use safety features that are readily available.. Sure - there's extra cost involved, but don't parents purchase car seats for their automobiles; helmets for bike riding; life jackets for family boating excursions; safety alarms for backyard swimming pools; and a multitude of other safety features? Accidents involving any of the afore mentioned items may NEVER occur, but we still buy the safety products - right?

 

[disdreams]

If people have incidents where they couldn't even hold on to their child in their arms during severe turbulence, how on earth could someone hang on to a baby in a plane that is "going down" with their legs?? That doesn't make any sense at all..

I don't know why they have that rule, I was just clearing up a misunderstanding about it. I don't see the logic in it, either.

As for getting killed in a car accident, does that mean people should only put their children in car seats sometimes because odds are you aren't going to be involved in an automobile accident every time you go out?

By law you have to have an infant in a car seat while in a car. It is not, however, against the law if you don't use one on an airplane. Again, if it were a big problem I'm sure the airlines would not allow children under two to sit on laps. If children were getting hurt left and right on planes, airlines would be getting sued all the time for it and would change the rules, I'm sure.

I don't think it's a "mortal sin" - I'm just very confused as to why parents choose not to use safety features that are readily available.. Sure - there's extra cost involved, but don't parents purchase car seats for their automobiles; helmets for bike riding; life jackets for family boating excursions; safety alarms for backyard swimming pools; and a multitude of other safety features? Accidents involving any of the afore mentioned items may NEVER occur, but we still buy the safety products - right?

As was discussed on another thread already:
The chances are very slim of being in a plane crash, and will a carseat save a baby's life if the plane goes down? Your comparisons are not in the same league at all. Not even close. I use all the safety measures you listed, yet I still believe it is safe to hold a child on your lap on an airplane. I have flown on hundreds of flights and see many, many people holding their child on their lap.

Eating sugar is bad, being overweight is unhealthy, I've heard that Nutrasweet and hotdogs can cause cancer in children; getting in a car or a boat "can" be dangerous, as can crossing a street. However, a good majority of people have done the above things, and allowed their children to. If we overwhelm ourselves with the "what-if's", then we'd all be locking our kids, and probably ourselves, in a padded room....just to be safe.

Like I have said before, if you choose to be extra careful, that's great. However, a lot of people don't think it's unsafe to not have a child in a carseat on a plane. If we did, I'm sure we would not do it.

I got the impression that the OPwas going to put the baby on his lap and wanted to hear from others who have done so. I apologize that this has turned into a debate.

 

[tiggerlover]

My two cents.....

My DS has flown more in his (almost) 8 years than most adults as he has spent more than half of his life in Italy. He has flown when he was 4 months, 16 months, 2 years, 2-3/4, 5, 6 and will be flying again this summer at 8. My advice is to request a bulkhead seat, as there is more room and many airlines have bassinets that attach to the bulkhead walls. There is a table top type device that is bolted to the bulkhead wall and it folds down, then the steward will attach a bassinet which has a seatbelt type device inside. You may not place the infant in there when taking off or landing, but you may use it for the rest of the flight. Our flights from Italy to NY were 8 hours plus, so this was very convenient for us. DS used it when he was 4 months and 16 months. If we had any turbulence, which we had little, I would just pick him up and hold him. I second the advice of nursing or bottle feeding on take off and landing, the sucking motion helps their little ears to pop.

Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I got the impression that the OPwas going to put the baby on his lap and wanted to hear from others who have done so. I apologize that this has turned into a debate. [/B]

This always turns into a debate. Its ridiculous! Its your kid, if you want to buy a seat, buy one, if not, don't. Thats your choice! My DH works for the airlines, and he feels perfectly OK with not buying a seat for our DD. He flies constantly and is still comfortable with the idea. The world is filled with what ifs. Here we go again!

 

[aprilgail2]

I wold never EVER NOT buy my child a seat. I once saw a TV special about "lap children" on a plane and it shows how with turbulance they can actaully slip out of your arms and if the plane drops they can be smacked up against the ceiling! No way would I chance that for my child. I just flew with my 4 year old and I made sure to bring her car seat with us and she had to stay fastened in it the whole plane ride. I would never seat my chld on my lap in a automobile so why do it in a plane??

 

[tw1nsmom]

We flew with our children on our laps when they were 9 months old. We didn't have any problems. I don't know if it would work for you because your granddaughter is so young, but we always dressed our children in overalls for flying on our laps. What other people have stated is correct, you can't use a snuggly on a plane, but with the overalls we could loop our hand through the back and have a more secure hold on them. I hope you have a great trip, and I'm sure the flight will be fine for all of you.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by disdreams

I got the impression that the OPwas going to put the baby on his lap and wanted to hear from others who have done so. I apologize that this has turned into a debate.

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I'm sorry it has turned into a debate as well - and doubly sorry if it's preceived that I am the one turning it into a debate.. I'm just honestly confused as to why parents would not use this safety measure when it's so easy to do..

Also - can someone explain what this "snuggly" is that everyone is referring to? Is it that soft, sling type thing that Mom's often use to carry their infants when shopping and such? And if so, why isn't that allowed?

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Your smart to bow out of this one.

 

[carole88]

I would have to guess that the reason for not buying a ticket for a baby would be to save a few hundred dollars. I just don't get it. When you consider the things that could possibly happen to a child sitting on a lap duing a flight it just doesn't make sense to me that it is worth the $$$ that is saved. Maybe the possibilities of injury are slim, but think of it as an insurance policy. No longer would you have to worry about the "what ifs".

 

[Kirk]

Well, I think I got more than I asked for here! But one of the guys from work just got back from China with a newly adopted baby girl. They used a thing called a "travel bear" and are loaning me theirs for our trip. It's basically a harness that YOUR seatbelt loops through to secure them to your lap. Here it is:

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by Kirk
Well, I think I got more than I asked for here! But one of the guys from work just got back from China with a newly adopted baby girl. They used a thing called a "travel bear" and are loaning me theirs for our trip. It's basically a harness that YOUR seatbelt loops through to secure them to your lap. Here it is:

These types of restraints ARE NOT FAA APPROVED. You will not be able to use it during takeoff, landing or any time the seat belt sign is illuminated during turbulance. Which is basically all the times if holding an infant you'd want to use it. During severe turbulance you might be instructed to place the baby on the floor, yes the floor. It is the FAA's preferred place for small children (flying as lap babies) during severe turbulance and crash landings. Your friend flew on most likely International Airline, where these type of restraints are regularly used, but they are not approved by any US airline for use.

 

[Kirk]

Originally posted by jel0511
These types of restraints ARE NOT FAA APPROVED. You will not be able to use it during takeoff, landing or any time the seat belt sign is illuminated during turbulance. Which is basically all the times if holding an infant you'd want to use it. During severe turbulance you might be instructed to place the baby on the floor, yes the floor. It is the FAA's preferred place for small children (flying as lap babies) during severe turbulance and crash landings. Your friend flew on most likely International Airline, where these type of restraints are regularly used, but they are not approved by any US airline for use.

OK I just got off the phone with a customer service rep from US Airways, I repeated your comments and this is what she told me:

"Bring an approved car seat with you. If there's an open seat they'll give it to you free of charge. If not they'll check the seat and give you a special extendable restraint to use. They do NOT expect you to put your baby on the floor! And they DO expect you to restain your baby during take-off, landing, etc. Alot of people are travelling with babies these days so we have to make things reasonable for them."

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by Kirk
OK I just got off the phone with a customer service rep from US Airways, I repeated your comments and this is what she told me:

"Bring an approved car seat with you. If there's an open seat they'll give it to you free of charge. If not they'll check the seat and give you a special extendable restraint to use. They do NOT expect you to put your baby on the floor! And they DO expect you to restain your baby during take-off, landing, etc. Alot of people are travelling with babies these days so we have to make things reasonable for them."

Yes, restrain the baby by your own arms, not with a NON FAA approved restraint. You will be told that the way to restrain the child is to hold them, not to use the vest. You will be told by the Flight Attendant that you will not be able to use it. Unforunately, the Customer Service Reps at the airlines aren't very knowledgeable about these devices. The flight atttendants are trained to know what is and what isn't a proper infant restraint. The only restraint approved for using during takeoff, landing and turbulance is a car seat. Anything else, these vests, a baby bjorn carrier, sling, are not allowed. There was a post on the family board about this exact topic about two weeks ago. TWO different flight attendents posted and stated that these type of devices, the vest you're inquiring about, and the others I've mentioned are NOT allowed to be used during takeoff, landing and turbulance. Here is a link to the post. The two flight attendents are newmommy and Lover_of_Disney. http://130.94.75.33/showthread.php?s=&threadid=560798&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

It is true that if you bring the car seat to the gate, and there is an empty seat next to you, the FA will try to block it off so you can use the car seat, if no empty seats are available you'll have to check it at the gate. Be sure you have some sort of cover for the car seat, so it won't get dirty or damaged under the plane. It is not a clean place, and you don't want grease or dirt on the seat.