Screaming lap babies

[natashag76]

As far as the public xportation, I only meant they were available to the public at large - if you can pay the fare, you can fly

 

[AmyBWV99]

We have traveled with both kidlets as babies and lap passengers. They have overall done very well. We've had our melt downs (which have only occurred over the car seat, not being lap bound) but survived as well as the rest of the plane. I think in general most people are understanding.

One time we were flying direct to MCO on a flight that would take 2.5 hours we were in business class on Air Tran (their version of 1st class) we boarded first with all our crap followed by another family with TWINS that were 4 months old we had our then 15 month old. Then there was 1 other baby across from us around a year. So basically all lap babies and all filling up business class. The looks we got and the sighs that were over heard as people boarded were comical. Not one baby made a peep and no one would have known any of them were even on had we all not been lined up in the very front of the plane. A number of people commented on how good they were, I thought at the time it's not like they'd turn the plane around if they weren't for all the dramamtic forlorn looks we got boarding.

Everyone makes choices when you are willing to get on any trasportation with stangers you never know what your going to get but you have to mentally prepared for whatever may happen.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think there are two parts to the OP's post.

One, she feels, and she is allowed to feel her feelings, that a screaming baby who has a paid-for seat wouldn't bother her as much as the free baby.

Two, the parents were neglectful b/c not only did they put the baby into more danger from turbulence by not restraining baby in a seat, but they were also passing the baby around *during takeoff*. Not b/c they couldn't keep baby from screaming, that's just silly, and reading into things too much.

OT: Drugstores sell something called Earplanes for your ears when you fly. My kids used to cry like crazy during takeoff and landing, even with the gum, yawning, etc., until we tried these. They are special earplugs that help with the pressure. Last two trips using them - no crying!

Agreed with earplanes. We discovered them when DS was 3.5 and it's been fabulous. There's a bit of a placebo effect with DS, but I am ALL about placebo effects, so I don't really care.

And I can assure you that if my baby were crossing over the rest of the family and the aisle to see Daddy, it would be that we were trying to keep him happy so that he was less likely to disturb other passengers by screaming.

You would do that during takeoff? Seriously not safe.




As for going to a funeral...I was once run off the road by a woman who thought it was a good idea to drive herself (and a van full of family) to her father's funeral. People make bad decisions while in grief. After that experience, I made sure that someone else, someone not emotionally involved, drove us all to my mom's funeral when she died.

I can't imagine making that time even worse by putting a baby into more danger, from turbulence, by not getting a seat.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

We have learned to bring ear buds to listen to the radio or an iPod during flights. I fly all over the place. I never let other passengers ruin my flight, even when the person next to me is too fat to put the arm rest down.

That said, we never flew without a seat for our boys. I have been thrown completely out of my seat a few times on flights. I have been bounced high enough to hit my head on the overhead compartments, then slammed onto the floor. There is no way that I would allow one of my boys to be placed in that much danger. I learned to wear my seatbelt at all times before the airlines started asking.

If we couldn't afford the additional seat, we drove or postponed the trip. Saying that you cannot afford another ticket is never a good enough excuse to put a child's life in danger - and everyone (adult or child) that is unrestrained during flight is in danger.

JMO...

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Wow its neglect to let your baby fly in a lap??? I take offense to that because I just flew a few weeks ago and I had a lap baby. Maybe the baby was crying because of the pressure in their ears hurting, maybe they were tired, maybe they were generally scared of being in a new location. I dont think its neglect. Yes, the child should have been held during take off and landing, but please dont judge others because its not what you would do.

It is neglect have a lap baby. You would never ride in a moving vehicle without a car seat. Everyone recommends a car seat.

To not do so is foolish.

(I have been on a turbulent flight where a baby flew out of a parents arms and went headfirst into the ceiling - that is a sound I will not forget.)

 

[mjkacmom]

I'm curious for those that hold this position -- did you not nurse your children on take-off and landing? Not only is it beneficial to their ears, it also is very comforting. I nursed my DD on and off the whole flight and there were absolutely no tears.

That is the main reason I would never buy a seat for a baby.

I bottlefed, but would've bought a seat if I bf'd, even if I nursed during take-off and landing - it's the rest of the flight I would worry about.

 

[kpm76]

It is neglect have a lap baby. You would never ride in a moving vehicle without a car seat. Everyone recommends a car seat.

To not do so is foolish.

(I have been on a turbulent flight where a baby flew out of a parents arms and went headfirst into the ceiling - that is a sound I will not forget.)

What is foolish is to say traveling with a lap baby is neglect. Perhaps there is a better choice (i.e. purchasing a seat and taking the car seat) but it's not neglect. Airlines allow children under 2 to travel as lap babies and I highly doubt they would if they considered it neglect. It's not that I disagree that a seat for a child is a good thing, it's the choice of the word "neglect" that I think if off base.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

...It's not that I disagree that a seat for a child is a good thing, it's the choice of the word "neglect" that I think if off base.

I am not sure if I agree with the use of the word neglect, either - but I do believe that it puts the child at risk of serious injury. Anyone that has ever been on a really turbulent plane trip would probably agree. So, neglect? Maybe not, but it comes close.

 

[kevschickee]

Until you have had to work with abused children and have seen it first hand I would not use neglect. Neglect is such a strong word and no I wouldn't use it in this situation.

 

[crashbb]

I bottlefed, but would've bought a seat if I bf'd, even if I nursed during take-off and landing - it's the rest of the flight I would worry about.

If your child has their own seat, they have to be in it whenever the seat belt sign is on (e.g. during take off and landing). If you see a child (who has there own seat) in their parent's lap during take-off/landing, they have moved the child after the FAs went through (and are now belted into their own seats).


Passing a child between seats during take-off/landing is just stupid.

 

[stella27]

You would do that during takeoff? Seriously not safe.

Yes, I would. What's your specific objection to handing a baby to another parent sitting across the aisle during takeoff? I wouldn't send a child walking down the aisle, but transferring from my arms to his, yes, I really would. I really don't see the problem, and I have been flying cross-country and internationally with lap babies and babies in a carseat and three children under 6 for years - if Daddy is with us, it's rare, and we appreciate the extra lap and extra hands.

 

[Colleen27]

I have only been really bothered by a crying baby once on a flight, on my very first trip to Disney 12 years ago. The baby was strapped securely into his car seat the entire flight. He screamed for the entire 2.5 hr flight and the parents never picked him up. At the time, I assumed they were just selfish/lazy but maybe they were just too scared of turbulence to take him out of his seat to soothe him.

As far as lap babies go, I've only flown once with an under-two and I felt really stupid for spending the money and lugging the car seat through the airport, only to end up nursing DS pretty much through the entire flight. Now I don't think I'd get a seat for a young infant for such a short flight; once they're big enough to be distracted by a toy or soothed by something other than the breast, sure, but before that I think it is pointless to buy a seat that isn't likely to be used.

 

[LWatson]

It is neglect have a lap baby. You would never ride in a moving vehicle without a car seat. Everyone recommends a car seat.

To not do so is foolish.

(I have been on a turbulent flight where a baby flew out of a parents arms and went headfirst into the ceiling - that is a sound I will not forget.)

Then call CPS on me because my child flew as a lap baby. If it was neglect then it would not be allowed by law.

 

[disfan07]

Now, somehow, i always get unlucky and have a screaming kid on my flight...every flight...usually about 5 RT flights per year. I would rather have the kid flying next to me when i'm flying by myself b/c for some reason, kids like me....maybe thats why i work with preschoolers

Its somethign i laugh about now b/c theres no question it will happena and i cant do anything about it.

I might get flamed by this but here it goes:
That being said...the ONE time it really bothered me to have a screaming baby on the flight was in first class. We're not rich my any means but when we went to california in 2007 we dcided to splurge and get first class seats. for a 5 1/2 hour flight we thought it would be nice. Well, the flight back was a red eye flight and when we boarded there was a family with twin babys (couldnt have been more than 9 months old) both lap babys. This is a red eye flight...that means people want to sleep adn thats one of the reasons we got first class seats so it would be easier to sleep
3 HOURS of screaming and crying....3 HOURS!!!!! that was absolutely and completely ridiculous. The kids were crying when they boarded and didnt stop until more than 1/2 way throuh the flight. And the parents were acting like it wasnt a big deal at all. Apparently, coach was very quiet and they were pretty well rested back there. We all said that we could have pain $500 less and had a quieter flight. We landed at 5:30AM and i had to be at work at 8:45 with 3 year olds....i so did not want to see anymore kids for a while
That being said, its not like a PP said that they got put into first class b/c it was a full flight....like a 1/4 of coach was empty

Before that flight i never agreed that they should put an age limit on first class passengers...but OMG now i do....when you're paying $800/person for a one way flight and its a red eye....it should be quiet

Flame away

 

[JUJU814]

Ok, so if it's ok, can I share my NIGHTMARE flying with my 5 month old exactly 5 years ago? We flew to disney..it was me, my then 12 year old and my 5 month nursing dd.

Well, once in WDW, baby became horribly constipated. I think we spent 1/2 the time at the parks in the baby care centers and my poor baby was sooooo uncomfortable. NOTHING and I mean NOTHING worked for this child. They gave us prune juice...a pharmacy made a delivery of something to our resort..nothing worked.

On our last day, dd was miserable, oldest dd miserable because we were now not even in the parks, and I was pulling my hair out. Soooooo, I got us on standby for an earlier flight home.

Got on a PACKED plane..dd and I got the last 2 seats on the plane. Baby was going to be on my lap. In row 1, was another mom and baby and we both said "PHEW!"...and I was about to sit with her with baby on my lap...she wouldn't mind..I wouldn't mind..we'd suffer it together. Well, federal regulations prohibit 2 babies being in the same row. I don't get that..it's dumb..but it's the law...so oldest dd got to sit there. She had a *wonderful* flight talking to this wonderful lady.

I kept walking down the aisle, crying baby in hand..and yup. There on the right hand side was ONE empty seat on the plane..between two very much older women ..neither volunteered to let me have an aisle or window..no biggie..but you should have seen the looks on their faces when they saw a young mom with crying baby coming to sit right between them.

Then, I didn't know what to do, because she was in soooo much pain and discomfort and she needed to nurse. Many older women are very offended by any "public" nursing..so I sat there almost in tears...do I whip it out? What do I do? Finally, I didn't care..I was going to comfort my baby. So as discreetly as possible, in between these two women on a crowded flight, I proceeded to nurse baby on take off. You should have seen their faces.

So, we're taking off, baby is sucking away happily..and yup, you guessed it...she did a load in her diaper like there was NO tomorrow and in 5 minutes, the plane wreaked like you wouldn't believe!!!!!!!!!

I was just dying. I honestly did not know if I would survive this flight. Once in the air, I got out to go change dd in the tiny lavaratory..trying to change her diaper..turbulence while in the lav. Ugh..

The rest of the flight baby slept and I wept internally "you stupid idiot..why on earth would you ever think to go to Disney world alone with 2 kids..one of them a baby..you moron! Why????? What were you thinking?"

Oh I get upset just thinking about it!!!!!!!! I don't even want to think about what others thought of me and my screaming lap baby.....

 

[kevschickee]

Now, somehow, i always get unlucky and have a screaming kid on my flight...every flight...usually about 5 RT flights per year. I would rather have the kid flying next to me when i'm flying by myself b/c for some reason, kids like me....maybe thats why i work with preschoolers

Its somethign i laugh about now b/c theres no question it will happena and i cant do anything about it.

I might get flamed by this but here it goes:
That being said...the ONE time it really bothered me to have a screaming baby on the flight was in first class. We're not rich my any means but when we went to california in 2007 we dcided to splurge and get first class seats. for a 5 1/2 hour flight we thought it would be nice. Well, the flight back was a red eye flight and when we boarded there was a family with twin babys (couldnt have been more than 9 months old) both lap babys. This is a red eye flight...that means people want to sleep adn thats one of the reasons we got first class seats so it would be easier to sleep
3 HOURS of screaming and crying....3 HOURS!!!!! that was absolutely and completely ridiculous. The kids were crying when they boarded and didnt stop until more than 1/2 way throuh the flight. And the parents were acting like it wasnt a big deal at all. Apparently, coach was very quiet and they were pretty well rested back there. We all said that we could have pain $500 less and had a quieter flight. We landed at 5:30AM and i had to be at work at 8:45 with 3 year olds....i so did not want to see anymore kids for a while
That being said, its not like a PP said that they got put into first class b/c it was a full flight....like a 1/4 of coach was empty

Before that flight i never agreed that they should put an age limit on first class passengers...but OMG now i do....when you're paying $800/person for a one way flight and its a red eye....it should be quiet

Flame away

Oh I agree about babies in 1st class. I think there should be some min age.

 

[kevschickee]

Ok, so if it's ok, can I share my NIGHTMARE flying with my 5 month old exactly 5 years ago? We flew to disney..it was me, my then 12 year old and my 5 month nursing dd.

Well, once in WDW, baby became horribly constipated. I think we spent 1/2 the time at the parks in the baby care centers and my poor baby was sooooo uncomfortable. NOTHING and I mean NOTHING worked for this child. They gave us prune juice...a pharmacy made a delivery of something to our resort..nothing worked.

On our last day, dd was miserable, oldest dd miserable because we were now not even in the parks, and I was pulling my hair out. Soooooo, I got us on standby for an earlier flight home.

Got on a PACKED plane..dd and I got the last 2 seats on the plane. Baby was going to be on my lap. In row 1, was another mom and baby and we both said "PHEW!"...and I was about to sit with her with baby on my lap...she wouldn't mind..I wouldn't mind..we'd suffer it together. Well, federal regulations prohibit 2 babies being in the same row. I don't get that..it's dumb..but it's the law...so oldest dd got to sit there. She had a *wonderful* flight talking to this wonderful lady.

I kept walking down the aisle, crying baby in hand..and yup. There on the right hand side was ONE empty seat on the plane..between two very much older women ..neither volunteered to let me have an aisle or window..no biggie..but you should have seen the looks on their faces when they saw a young mom with crying baby coming to sit right between them.

Then, I didn't know what to do, because she was in soooo much pain and discomfort and she needed to nurse. Many older women are very offended by any "public" nursing..so I sat there almost in tears...do I whip it out? What do I do? Finally, I didn't care..I was going to comfort my baby. So as discreetly as possible, in between these two women on a crowded flight, I proceeded to nurse baby on take off. You should have seen their faces.

So, we're taking off, baby is sucking away happily..and yup, you guessed it...she did a load in her diaper like there was NO tomorrow and in 5 minutes, the plane wreaked like you wouldn't believe!!!!!!!!!

I was just dying. I honestly did not know if I would survive this flight. Once in the air, I got out to go change dd in the tiny lavaratory..trying to change her diaper..turbulence while in the lav. Ugh..

The rest of the flight baby slept and I wept internally "you stupid idiot..why on earth would you ever think to go to Disney world alone with 2 kids..one of them a baby..you moron! Why????? What were you thinking?"

Oh I get upset just thinking about it!!!!!!!! I don't even want to think about what others thought of me and my screaming lap baby.....

OMG you poor thing. I feel for you I really do

 

[brockash]

So either I have crossed into a new perspective, or I have just found my line in the sand, but I have just discovered how much a screaming lap baby bugs me.

We have always bought our children tickets for planes and put them in their carseats. I recommend it to everyone who asks or comes close to asking on these boards...no big secret here.

But yesterday we had to sit right behind a family with a crying lap toddler the entire 2 hour flight. So here we has spent nearly $200 a ticket to fly and this crying toddler was flying for free. Paying ticket and crying, doesn't bother me (I don't think), but free and crying just got under my skin. Not only was she flying on mom's lap, but she was allowed to get off mom's lap, cross over her sister and brother and the isle into dad's lap during take off and landing...during! I figure she was so unhappy because she could tell just how neglected she was on this flight......

Wow, if that's top on your list of things that bug you, feel lucky. No one likes to hear a screaming baby/toddler/person, paid seat or not, but I've always said I'd much rather be just another passenger trying to tune it out, then the parent trying to deal with it. And "neglected"????? - Come on now, that's way too rediculous

 

[BBG-BLT]

Really? A minimum age for First Class?

While we're going there I'd like to add a weight limit (I do not like big guys spreading into my space on a flight). People with not nice BO in Business class, people who snore should also not be allowed to sleep on red-eyes , anyone who keeps their lights on or goes to the bathroom on flights to the EU should be banned, loud eaters... I think you get my point.

If someone wants to spend money for first class (and it is a lot of money) for their family to try to make their kids more comfortable - good for them - I wish I could be one of those people.

Me - I don't have the money this year so #4 will be on my lap for the 2 hour flight to WDW. I'm doing my best and of course will do what I can to make her and the rest of the people around me comfortable.

 

[disfan07]

Really? A minimum age for First Class?

Yes.

When we were on that trip, i was sitting next to a guy who was on business. When they kids were screaming he made a comment that he had 3 kids, all under the age of 4 and he said that even though they could afford it, he only flies first class when hes alone b/c he knows how much it cost to fly first class and that people pay for a reason and he knows that at least one of his kids would be looud at some part of the flight so they fly coach. He said he sees no reason to fly first class with kids. That came from someone who HAS kids.

My uncle said teh same thing. He has an 11 year old. They flew first class to paris this past weekend. He told my cousin that if she didnt behave herslef from california to new york that they could always downgrade to coach in new york adn for the trip back. The last time they flew overseas they flew coach even though they could have afforded to fly first class b/c as my uncle said there was no way he would take my cousin in first class before she was old enough to really understand how she needed to behave. Its expensive for them and other people and he wasnt going to subject other people who paid that much to what could possibly be a screaming baby.

I love kids. I absolutely love kids. I work with them all week and i babysit on teh weekends. I love sittign next to kids on the plane most of the time and they really like me. That being said, i do think that an age limit in first class would not be a bad thing.