If you buy an infant a seat, can you still nurse during takeoff??

[brymolmom]

My guess is that it totally depends on both the airline and the flight attendants...my experience is this: I did NOT buy a ticket for my 1.5 year old and had her on my lap for landing (as she was irritable and it was keeping her calm and from crying) - I had a 'run in' with the flight attendant about the empty seat next to me and she started spouting the 'FAA law' about how 'EVERY ticketed passenger is REQUIRED to be seated during takeoff and landing'. So - I calmly explained that my dd was NOT a ticketed passenger but a lap child and she started explaining the dangers of having her on my lap for landing. But- the basics of what she told me was that because she wasn't ticketed - I had the choice to keep her on my lap but IF she had been ticketed - she would have forced me to put her in the empty seat.

Sounds like others have differing experiences though.

 

[Nanu57v]

DD has flown 4 times and never had a problem during takeoff. The only time she had a problem was during landing on our last trip when we had to circle with painful ears for 30 minutes (mine hurt, too). Does DD drink EBM or water through a bottle or sippy cup? You can bring the EBM through security in a bottle, but not the water. You'll have to buy that or juice on the "green" side.

I too buy a seat for her for safety. And I couldn't justify taking her out during the more dangerous parts, as badly as I wanted to comfort her.

Also, ask your doctor, because he may recommend giving her a dose of Pediacare prior to takeoff.

 

[toesmom]

I've done this with both my kids on the plane, never any problem. Stewardess probably thought it was weird to nurse a 2 year old, oh well. When dd was 3 and still nursing on take off, we just covered with jacket, no big deal. Each time she was in car seat. Little uncomfortable for me, but not for the kids. Oh well, I shouldn't say that - they did have to sort of reach a little further than normal.

But I'd say go for it, the nursing/swallowing will help with ear pressure better than anything.

Just avoid nursing prior to take off so baby will want to. I forgot about how bad the ear pressure can be for babies.

 

[CharmedLife]

In my experience over a dozen or so flights, we have always been required to put our kids back in their car seat when the seat belt sign was on. In all honesty, this worked better, anyway - once the kids are in their car seat, they are mentally prepared for a "ride" since that's what normally happens when they're in their seat. My kids were always very well behaved and seldom needed to come out of the seat except for nursing and the occasional diaper change. The only time we had a problem was the ONE time we had a "lap" child, then she was out of control because she wanted to play, and roam around the airplane.

As for the ear pressure, never a problem with either of my kids. I'm a safety professional and have to agree with some previous posters - the safest place for your kids is secured in that car seat. Not only during takeoff and landing, but if you encounter unexpected turbulence as well during the flight.

Bring along some snacks, small toys, and new books to look at, and you'll be there before you know it!!!

 

[Monkeyfeet]

I've done this with both my kids on the plane, never any problem. Stewardess probably thought it was weird to nurse a 2 year old, oh well. When dd was 3 and still nursing on take off

I think I love you.

 

[NotUrsula]

Another thing you can ask your ped for is Auralgan or the equivalent, which is a topical painkiller for the ears (drops), which can be used to relieve pain if it happens. Be prepared for a strong lecture on not using it for too long -- peds don't like to give scrips for it because parents will be tempted to use it long-term to soothe a child with an ear infection, and doing that can mask serious conditions that need immediate medical attention. Auralgan is a wonderful thing, but you do have to be really careful about using it for kids. (BTW, it is Rx in the US, but OTC in Canada.)

I have Auralgan of my own, because I have Meniere's. I've made a deal with my ped that I will use one dose on the kid to relieve pain caused by an aircraft descent, but if the first dose doesn't do the trick, then we see a doctor. There has never been a case where one dose was not enough.

 

[justhat]

My daughter has flown on probably over 25 trips since she was 2 months old and has never had a problem with her ears so don't panic too much about it. My son has been on 6 flights so far an no problems for him either. Both kids fly in their carseats and while I brought a bottle on for DD a few times, she never seemed to need it and with DS I haven't bothered with the bottle.

As far as keeping them in the carseat, I've had some FAs tell me that they had to be in their seat for takeoff/landing (which I was doing anyway), but then others didn't seem to care. On DS's first flight I took him out of his seat during takeoff to nurse him cause he was screaming and I was flying alone with him and DD and it just seemed easiest.

I've done the nursing in the carseat thing too many times but it does work in a pinch despite the discomfort involved. I've had to sit on at least one leg to get the height/angle necessary, but not a huge problem. I don't think I've done it on a plane though, just in the car.

I agree to try some snacks if your daughter has ear trouble. Another option, since my DD didn't do sippys, is to take a small water bottle. I guess you'd need an empty one to fill onboard or past security, but get the spout top kind. My daughter would use these but not bottles or sippys so maybe you'll have better luck with that.

 

[kohlby]

Quote:
Originally Posted by toesmom
I've done this with both my kids on the plane, never any problem. Stewardess probably thought it was weird to nurse a 2 year old, oh well. When dd was 3 and still nursing on take off




I think I love you.

Me too! I have yet to fly with both kids, but I'm still nursing both of my kids - a 3.5 year old and an 8 month old. Nursing both for the descent is going to be quite the challenge! My son is a big 3.5 year old and it's quite easy to nurse him from his seat. (He doesn't sit in a car seat on the plane. The only car seat that fits him isn't approved for airtravel).

 

[KristiKelly]

We flew in Sept to WDW, DD was 15 mo. I'm not sure what it was, but going down and coming home, she was asleep before the plane left the runway. She was tired both times and I think the sound of the plane and the vibration knocked her out. Her ears never bothered her. I was fully prepared to hold her and nurse her but didn't have to.

 

[Luv2CDisney]

I have flown with my children since the oldest was 3 months old. We always purchased a seat for them and used their car seat. They were strapped into their seats during takeoff and landing. We would leave them in their seats as long as possible because that is the safest spot on the plane for them. You never know when you can hit turbulence.
You may have to have a few things for your child in case one doesn't work that time. Just try and leave them in the car seat for their safety. No one would take them out of the seat when a car is moving. Think of it the same way.
Good luck...and have fun on your trip.

 

[lclark0621]

I dont know the answer.

But just giving you another option. We use dum dum lollipops to help DS pop his ears & have since he stopped taking a bottle and didn't want his sippy cups.

Of course my DS has never complained about his ears & usually finishes the lollipop before we take off. His ears never seem to bother him on planes. Wish I could say the same thing.