nursing infant on plane

[My2Cinderellas]

kudos to you for buying a seat! but please, leave baby in the carseat during takeoff/landing. even if they cry a bit. It's hard, I know. I flew with the girls several times when they were babies. if baby will take a pacifier, or bottle/sippy, use it. I bought the seat for safety, and had to argue with a couple of flight attendants who wanted me to stow the carseat and hold the baby, even though I showed them my extra ticket.

My guideline was to wait until the flight attendants started moving around, then I would take baby out of the carseat and nurse. Often, during landing, they were asleep so I didn't have to worry about it. I was lucky in that my girls both slept well on planes, the vibrations just lulled them to sleep and they were strapped into a familiar, comforting environment - the carseat.

Also remember that the screams seem loudest to you - people sitting a few rows away complimented me on my well behaved kids, so the crying must not have been as bad as I thought. And if all else fails - you will never see these people again!

 

[Lynderella]

You do not have to have a seat for any child under the age of 2. Those are FAA rules, but you are being much safer having a car seat. Midwest is an excellent airline with a lot of extra seat room (business class throughout the entire plane.) The pressure in the planes is so much better than it has ever been and I have found it more bothersome to me and my children on an overseas flight where the planes fly at a much higher altitude. The good news is the flight is only 2 hours. I have done it both ways, sometimes with my daughter (under the age of 2) on my lap the whole way.

Use your best judgement and do what makes you feel the most comfortable.

 

[grlpwrd]

...
The families I saw on my flights were well intended, caring parents that saw this product advertised and thought it perfect. They were very surprised when the FA explained the danger. FWIW - even on the websites that sell BBA they now have a disclaimer saying that it is not allowed for take off and landing.

I actually went to the Baby B'Air website to check it out and this is what their FAQs say:

Why does the FAA not approve Baby B'Air® for takeoff, taxi, and landing?

The FAA changed the existing regulations in early 1996, banning devices other than approved car seats during takeoff, taxi and landing. This FAA rule change DOES NOT prohibit the use of the Baby B'Air® during the cruise portions of the flight. The FAA banned these types of devices during take-off, taxi and landing because they could cause more harm than good (for more information see the next question in bold below.) These facts can be confirmed on the FAA website section titled "Reminders" second bullet point. The Baby B'Air Flight Vest® is the ONLY product which addresses these safety concerns in it's patent pending design.

Since the vest has been designed to address the specific safety concerns of aircraft, Baby B'Air® is working to win an exception for our new product so that it may be used during the entire flight. Until that rule is changed, the vest cannot be used during takeoff, taxi and landing in the U.S. The applicable FAA regulation, known as a CFR, is clearly marked on the back of each vest for the benefit of the parent and flight personnel. These regulations may also be found in the card that came with the vest. It is a good idea to keep this card handy when you use the vest on any airline.

Why is the Baby B’Air the only safety solution for lap children? Can’t I use another device to secure my child safely?

Shoulder or harness carriers and other such devices could place the child in the parent’s crush zone, injure the parent’s back or cause injury to the child. The Baby B’Air Flight Vest® was designed specifically to address these concerns, allowing the child to travel out of the parent’s crush zone while attached to the lap belt, not the parent’s body. The Baby B’Air® is the ONLY device to address these safety concerns found in aircraft. For more information about the use of carriers on aircraft see the FAA website section titled "Reminders" second bullet point

Isn’t take-off, taxi and landing the most dangerous portion of the flight?

No. Surprisingly, over 90% of all injuries occur during flight, mainly due to turbulence. Children are often left unprotected during this time and even removed from car seats. Parents are encouraged to secure their child through the flight.

Interesting.

Plus, from the statement that "over 90% of all injuries occur during the flight" means about 10% of injuries are possible during takeoff, taxi-ing, or landing. Still a risk.

Yes, hopefully, when your baby is older , baby will be able to eat a little or drink from a bottle or cup during takeoff or landing and stay restrained in a carseat. That is much safer.

 

[tjmw2727]

I actually went to the Baby B'Air website to check it out and this is what their FAQs say:

[/i]


Interesting.

Plus, from the statement that "over 90% of all injuries occur during the flight" means about 10% of injuries are possible during takeoff, taxi-ing, or landing. Still a risk.

Yes, hopefully, when your baby is older , baby will be able to eat a little or drink from a bottle or cup during takeoff or landing and stay restrained in a carseat. That is much safer.

You know that statement about the injures from the mfgr made me wonder.

First, its from a site that is promoting the use of its product - one that now can only be used in flight and not during take off & landing. If they don't make that claim, IMHO parents won't be motivated to buy it.

Second, every other website I have read, including NHTSA, FAA and AAP as well as the individual airlines state the most dangerous time is durng take off and landing, otherwise why would everyone be under the seatbelt requirement.... just thinking.

TJ