No carseat?

[EthansMom]

So if I DON'T bring the car seat, I will have to hold him for take off and landing? When I called Song - they told me on two seperate occassions that I did NOT need a car seat for him - I am SO confused.

Yes, you will have to hold him during take off and landing if you do not have a car seat.

You do not NEED a car seat for a child under 2 as long as you are willing to hold him on your lap at any time that the "Fasten Seat Belt" sign would be lit.

Since you already paid for him to have his own seat, take your son's car seat with you.

 

[lulugirl]

I wouldn't even consider NOT using a carseat for a 1yr. old on a plane. It's just safer.

 

[Gillian]

We flew twice when DS was 1-2. He likes his car seat and often sleeps in it. For us, even though it's a pain in the airport, it worked well. He slept most of the time, and was comfortable when he was awake. You can't really use the tray table, so I brought a clipboard. He didn't use it much.

 

[Bugsmom73]

Use the car seat. We have flown 3 times with kids under the age of 2. Every single time, we have had their carseat. They know what it is for and why they need it. My kids are big. My 18mos old is 28lb and 36 in. They are used to traveling in the car with them and that is how they will travel on an airplane too.

 

[JennsBabySky]

So if I DON'T bring the car seat, I will have to hold him for take off and landing? When I called Song - they told me on two seperate occassions that I did NOT need a car seat for him - I am SO confused.

I'd plan on holding for take off and landing without a carseat. I can't imagine my 15 month old sitting for more than 1 minute in those large, uncomfortable airline seats. My 4 year old is very well behaved and she is quite squirmy in them because they are so large for her frame.

I usually get mixed messages from the customer care call centers about carseat usage. Ultimately it is the flight attendants decision. Some are stricter about the rules than others, so a strict attendant will make you hold your child during take off and landing and a lax one might not care. In all honesty, I don't know what I'd do with the empty seat if I didn't have a carseat. However, it would come in handy for warding off passengers that don't want to sit next to infants. On one trip, my husband and I were split (we each sat with one child) and the older gentleman next to me looked mortified that an 8 month old would be sitting next to him on the long, red eye flight. He was quite polite, but still had a worried look in his eyes. I was petrified too, because I was planning on a morning flight, but it was switched by the airline. Luckily we had the carseat and my son slept the entire flight (except for a really uncomfortable 30 minutes during the beginning of the flight).

Good luck,
Jennifer

 

[Aneille]

My children have flown twice now. The first time was a 5-6 hour flight and they were 4 months and just turned 2 at the time. The infant sat in my lap and was fine. I brought a carseat on the plane for the 2 year old. It was the best thing I did. She stayed in her seat and never once asked to get out. She is used to the seat and knows she needs to stay in it.

Second time was to WDW. It is a short flight and we also flew Song. I brought a carseat for both my children this time as the infant was now a walker. They were 14 months and almost 3 at the time. And again I was so glad I brought them. Both sat in their seats and never got out or asked to.

We will be flying again to WDW and I think I am opting to let my now 3.5 year old fly without a seat. I am pretty confident she knows she needs to remain seated. However my youngest will be just under 2 at the time of the trip and I didn't buy her seat on the plane. I am worried about how I am going to handle a walker that can't sit still. And I am hoping that I there will be an empty seat on the plane that I can have her take when we arrive at the gate.

Lugging the carseats through the airport was a hassle but I am one of those that think its easier with a carseat. The first flight I was essentially flying alone as my parents were at least 7 rows ahead of me and my kids. I could get up and go to the bathroom with my infant and leave my 2 year old asleep in her seat and know she couldn't get out.

Another good thing about seats is that they fall asleep in them pretty easily.

 

[jenjenmouse]

Hi,
My son was born on Oct 28th too. Yes 2004. I just wanted to say hi and we will be going to wdw in June and he will be a lap seat kid. I'm going to go back and read the posts to see if it changes my mind.
Thanks,
Jen

 

[grlpwrd]

I did buy him a seat on the plane. He will be 1 at the time of travel, not 6 months.

I think you made a very wise decision and I hope you decide to bring a carseat for him.

Yes, it's definitely safer, but also like someone already stated they know what it is for and why they need it and also because it'll be easier for you during the flight.

There are many other threads on this issue which I encourage folks to read and I am one who encourages people to use a carseat for their child.

GL!

 

[poohbear7]

Airlines advise that a child under 40 pounds is safer in a carseat than a lap belt. Hope this helps.