Question about flying with baby on lap

[Not so Dumbo]

We didn't purchase a seat for our DD will be 6mo. She hates her carseat and is a mommy's girl anyhow. However, I read on another thread that if the plane encounters aproblem and we have to assume the crash position, that they make you place your baby on the floor. Does anyone else know about this? I this really the way they do things.

 

[DebbieB]

Yes, that's true. Safer for the baby, in a crash they would be ejected out of your arms and land who knows where. On the floor they are more likely not to go flying. You wouldn't ride in a car with your child unrestrained, why would you fly 400+ miles per hour with no restraints?

 

[salmoneous]

why would you fly 400+ miles per hour with no restraints?

The same reason other parents put their kids in the car and take them with running errands, rather than hiring a sitter and leaving the kid at home where they would be much safer.

I suggest that only those parents who have never ever done anything other than the safest possible option with their kids be allowed to tell other parents they are bad for flying with a lap baby.

 

[NotUrsula]

No, it isn't true. It WAS true, but the recommendation was changed in 2003.

"Children which are occupying approved child restraint devices should be
braced in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Children in
passenger seats should utilize the same brace position as adults. Adults
holding infants should provide as uniform support as possible to the infant's
head, neck, and body, and lean over the infant to minimize the possibility of
injury due to flailing."


The cite for this is FAA Advisory Circular AC121-24C (2003) -- This URL is really long; so you'll have to cut/paste it to go to the doc:
http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library
/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/1ab39b4ed563b08985256a35006d56af
/2026259a7a7247f986256d7a00508ba7/$FILE/AC121-24C.pdf

Naturally, the FAA doesn't illustrate what this position looks like in that document, but the CAA (Canada) does illustrate it in their documentation of the same standard:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/c.../AC0155_att.htm

 

[kaytieeldr]

Do keep in mind, though, that if the plane should encounter severe turbulence, you may have trouble holding onto ANY item, human or otherwise, not secured on its own. No, salmoneous, my comment isn't about parenting - it's about physics.

 

[Acklander]

And if you really want to be realistic about it - If the plane has serious problems, it doesn't matter if the baby is in your arms, on the floor, or in a car seat - the outcome is probably going to be the same.

 

[adrock1976]

While you can hold the baby by law, it is really recommended that you purchase a seat for the infant...it really is the safest way to go.

 

[DebbieB]

The same reason other parents put their kids in the car and take them with running errands, rather than hiring a sitter and leaving the kid at home where they would be much safer.

I suggest that only those parents who have never ever done anything other than the safest possible option with their kids be allowed to tell other parents they are bad for flying with a lap baby.

I never said she was bad. I just wanted her to consider the risk, it was more of a rhetorical question.

 

[Hannathy]

I used a car seat once to fly with my kids and it was such a hassle and pain especially if travelling alone that I never took it on the plane again. I checked it if needed at arrival.

I flew enough with my DD when she was a lap baby to be elevated to the "elite flyer" club level or whatever United called it and the important part of this is I was NEVER instructed on putting my baby on the floor and this was before 2003!
I was told to hold her facing me with my arms crossed over her and to lean forward. Had to land this way once. Never did a flight attendent tell me to put her on the floor in case of emergency landing and some were very thorough in going over emergency proceedures. I was never told this on any other airline either. I feel it is a calculated risk as is everything in life and statistically I don't feel it is justified to put up with the hassle to take a car seat. In a car yes, in a plain no.

 

[CarolA]

Food for thought

http://www.ntsb.gov/Speeches/S960801.htm

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I have never flowen before and have no idea of what to expect. In fact, the reason I've never been on an airplane is because I'm scared to death of flying. DH convinced me that flying is safer than trying to drive from MI. in December, especially with kids as young as ours. I thought that if it wasn't a requirement that they be buckled in, it must be safe.

We had changed our minds and wanted to buy her a seat, however, I checked the assigned seating chart and the 2 seats next to me are now taken. Now what?

 

[disneyldwjr]

I have never flowen before and have no idea of what to expect. In fact, the reason I've never been on an airplane is because I'm scared to death of flying. DH convinced me that flying is safer than trying to drive from MI. in December, especially with kids as young as ours. I thought that if it wasn't a requirement that they be buckled in, it must be safe.

We had changed our minds and wanted to buy her a seat, however, I checked the assigned seating chart and the 2 seats next to me are now taken. Now what?

Call the airlines and see if they can reassign seating that will accomodate you.
Good luck!!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Are there any seats open? I believe a car seat has to be in the window seat. You may be better off calling your airline directly and talking to them, explaining the situation. Just for the record, I think you are making a wise decision. Babies are always better off in a car seat on a plane. Everyone involved had a much better flight. Best of luck to you in your attempts to get her a seat!!

 

[katerkat]

If you want to take your chances, you can bring the carseat and ask if there's any empty seats when you get to the airport. I'd say we got an empty seat for free about 75% of the time I asked. I only started booking seats for him to guarantee we get one when he was too big for me to hold onto him - I can't take the chance of not getting one now!

I've had him in a Snugli on the airplane when he was very little - you're not allowed to have them in it during take-off and landing, but no one said anything about him being in it during the flight and any turbulence.

Personally, the restraint system for young kids on airplanes is really lacking. Carrying a carseat on board, without help, is a PITA. Rear-facing carseats piss off the passenger in front because they can't recline. Forward-facing carseats often put their little kicky feet practically touching the seat in front of them. And wWhen he's two, they are no longer required to have carseats, and my son will NOT be safely restrained by a lapbelt at that age.

Oh, and my favorite - seat assignments that mean nothing. One flight, they split us up, and I just smiled and told the checking-in-lady that I would be happy to not sit with my 16-month old but i really doubted the other passengers would be. This was after I had picked out the best seats for us during booking (window seats, not near the exit rows, etc.)

 

[mdhkitten]

How about using one of these for your baby:

http://www.babybair.com/


My dd is 28 months, and I flew with her as a lap baby starting at 3 months until she was 2 years old. When she was tiny it wasn't a big deal because at that age she wanted to be held anyway, so I figure that she probably wouldn't have sat in her car seat anyway. It does become a pain once they're over a year old. All of a sudden she didn't want to be still and wanted to stand on the floor or just go anywhere she shouldn't. I honestly regretted our last trip (she was 23 months), because she was just way too big to sit on anyone's lap for the duration of a flight. Good luck!

 

[WDWBetsy]

How about using one of these for your baby:

http://www.babybair.com/

I bought one of these for our DD who will be 7 months old on our upcoming trip. I also contacted our airline (Northwest) to make sure they would allow us to use it. I have the emails to take with me just in case. It is only allowed during the flight - not taxi, take-off or landing, which I'm fine with.

 

[mdhkitten]

And BTW, in case anyone didn't know, the CARES harness for children ages 1-4 is now available for air travel. I may get it for the convenience factor, but $75 seems pretty steep to me...........then again, it is FAA approved for ALL parts of the flight, including taxi, takeoff, and landing. Here's the site:

http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

 

[TAKitty]

We didn't purchase a seat for our DD will be 6mo. She hates her carseat and is a mommy's girl anyhow. However, I read on another thread that if the plane encounters aproblem and we have to assume the crash position, that they make you place your baby on the floor. Does anyone else know about this? I this really the way they do things.

I wouldn't worry about the flight. I fly all the time from Michigan and the flights are pretty fast and smooth. If I had a 6 mo. I would have her sit on my lap. Can you check your seats online? You may want to move to a row that doesn't yet have anyone else in it. You may luck out and get a free seat too.

 

[Pinnie]

I was on a flight from BNA to DTW a few summers ago and we hit an unexpected pocket of turbulance. The lttle lap baby across the aisle from me got a nasty goose egg sized bump on the head when his head smacked into the tray table that was in the upright and locked position.

pinnie

 

[NARM Forever]

I travelled quite extensively with my children (now 8 and 5) when they were babies and I found the facilities were different depending on the airline. Many of the European airlines would give me a seat belt for baby that fitted into my seat belt. I was never once told that I should put my baby on the floor!! On the longer flights or ones where I was travelling on my own, I tended to take the car baby seat onboard so at least I could go to the washroom without worrying about turbulence.

I would check with the airline to see if they have the seat belts that loop into yours, it will give you an extra feeling of security. If you want to take the baby seat you might also want to check about the storage capacity of the plane and whether it will fit in the overhead lockers.

Good luck with your decision and don't forget to enjoy the experience - won't it be exciting to say "you went on your first flight at 6 months". I really enjoy flying and I've managed to pass that on to my boys, despite my DH hating it.