Worrying about Flying with a "lap child"

[my2minnies]

Now I have always purchased tickets and brought car seats for my kids while flying. I do not necessarily because of safety, but because I like the ease of having my kids in one place. I am not patient enough to hold my kid for 3.5 hours. That said, it is SOOOOOO difficult to keep a toddler from kicking the seat in front of them when in a car seat--their legs automatically touch the seat in front of them. So I am not sure what people mean when they say a lap child is an annoyance to those in front of them--it would be worse if they were in a car seat I think.

 

[fun4disney]

I wasn't going to reply because people think I'm rude for saying I wouldn't travel without the car seat, BUT I have travelled with my son, in a car seat, several times. I don't allow him to kick the seat in front of him. I also don't allow him to walk the aisles. I don't allow him to kick my seat in the car, so why would I let him kick a stangers seat on a plane? Does he get mad at me for stopping him, you bet! But I do it anyway because I am the parent and it is what I am supposed to do.

I did find that taking his shoes off when we get on the plane works well for keeping him from kicking.

 

[CindyCharming]

I guess we can agree to disagree. Like my grandma used to say, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you SHOULD."

I will have to wonder if these lap parents are going to be the same ones who are going to complain when they find out that school buses in the majority of states do NOT mandate seat belts????

pinnie

And it doesn't mean that you shouldn't either.

What does lap parents have to do with complaining about no seat belts in school busses?

 

[thepeach80]

I guess we can agree to disagree. Like my grandma used to say, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you SHOULD."

I will have to wonder if these lap parents are going to be the same ones who are going to complain when they find out that school buses in the majority of states do NOT mandate seat belts????

pinnie

Please look up the safety info on buses before making such crazy statements. Buses don't have seatbelts for a good reason and unless you find a way to make lap/shoulder belts on buses fit children 4-19, there should be no seatbelts on buses.

 

[NemoMOm]

I'm sorry, But I can't understand this for the life of me!!!! If your husband is saying that you can't afford it, then you shouldn't be going. You should also be considering the people all around you. They don't want to have a child kicking their seat and a parent juggling a kid around....I could ALMOST understand if it you had an infant, but a 17 month old, come on. He says it isn't going to bother him with the child on his lap, but lets face it, it will be you traveling with the child on YOUR lap!

By the way, the airlines offer 50% off the fare when it's a child under 2.....if they are over 2 they pay the full price.

I think it's a bad idea!

I'm sorry but my child never bumped anyone in front of me. I do however get bumped by 10 yr olds kicking the seat behind me. It is the parent's job to ensure that the child does not do that. It is also the parent's job to endure the child is entertained and does not disrupt the others to the best of their ability. As a parent I do an outstanding job as DS always gets compliments at the end of the flight by both passengers and flight attendents and he has flown 27,000 miles on my lap.

Also I have NEVER founf discounted pices for DS and we ALWAYS CHECK ALL AIRLINES. They are always the same price as the adults, the may have in the past but not longer, and no longer discount when you have a death in the family.

 

[my2minnies]

I wasn't going to reply because people think I'm rude for saying I wouldn't travel without the car seat, BUT I have travelled with my son, in a car seat, several times. I don't allow him to kick the seat in front of him. I also don't allow him to walk the aisles. I don't allow him to kick my seat in the car, so why would I let him kick a stangers seat on a plane? Does he get mad at me for stopping him, you bet! But I do it anyway because I am the parent and it is what I am supposed to do.

I did find that taking his shoes off when we get on the plane works well for keeping him from kicking.

I am not saying that I let my child kick, but when in a carseat the feet are right there touching the seat in front of them. Any sort of movement causes impact to the seat in front. I find it impossible to keep a two year old from moving at all. I do my absolute best to get them to fall asleep and then there is no problem at all.

 

[NemoMOm]

I will have to wonder if these lap parents are going to be the same ones who are going to complain when they find out that school buses in the majority of states do NOT mandate seat belts????

pinnie[/QUOTE]

Uh no. In fact I grew up riding the bus and we never had seat belts so there is no "finding out" for me.

To the OP, it sounds like there are plenty of lap moms that have never had any problems. We have flown 27,000 miles w/DS as lap child and HAVE hit bad turbulence w/o any scratch. We will continue to do so with the next one.

 

[firsttimermd]

I think it is funny that people are so bothered by kids when there are so many other possible irritants on a flight too. How about the smelly perfume lady or the girl cracking her gum every 5 seconds or the person who snores loud enough to drown out a jet engine? Not to mention the person who insists on the window seat, but fails to remember they have a bladder condition and let us not forget the sin of all sins--the customer of size!!! What could be worse than a big rear impeding your precious space? A little kid of course! (Don't attack, I am about as plus size as they come!) And I bet none of the folks who are all bent about a kid kicking their seat would hesitate for a minute to fully recline their seat during a flight (providing of course that it wasn't in front of one of those darn kids!). That can be rather annoying to the person behind you, especially if they are trying to work or eat! Should we stop allowing reclining seats now too?

Oh, and to the lady who found no one commenting that the child was injured during the flight, I wanted to say that I have a 14-month-old who is learning to walk--she get's a goose egg every 10 feet or 10 seconds, which ever comes first so she'll actually fare out better if that's all that happens to her on the plane!!

I still say darned if you do, darned if you don't!!!

 

[firsttimermd]

[/QUOTE]To the OP, it sounds like there are plenty of lap moms that have never had any problems. We have flown 27,000 miles w/DS as lap child and HAVE hit bad turbulence w/o any scratch. We will continue to do so with the next one.[/QUOTE]

Now THAT is the kind of feedback I bet the original poster was interested in, as am I. Great to hear a real-life experience with turbulence coming out with no incident. Some would have us think we will be peeling our little ones off the ceiling with a spatula by the end of the flight!

Glad your travel has thus far been safe and I trust it will continue to be.

Take care!

 

[NemoMOm]

I think it is funny that people are so bothered by kids when there are so many other possible irritants on a flight too. How about the smelly perfume lady or the girl cracking her gum every 5 seconds or the person who snores loud enough to drown out a jet engine? Not to mention the person who insists on the window seat, but fails to remember they have a bladder condition and let us not forget the sin of all sins--the customer of size!!! What could be worse than a big rear impeding your precious space? A little kid of course! (Don't attack, I am about as plus size as they come!) And I bet none of the folks who are all bent about a kid kicking their seat would hesitate for a minute to fully recline their seat during a flight (providing of course that it wasn't in front of one of those darn kids!). That can be rather annoying to the person behind you, especially if they are trying to work or eat! Should we stop allowing reclining seats now too?

I still say darned if you do, darned if you don't!!!

Agreed!

What about the person who takes off their shoes and then proceeds to stink the entire plane. Or OMG the monk who does not bathe on the flight from London to NYC Don't flame I am for all religion but picture this. We were all getting sick at the gate then went in a enclosed plane for 6 hours! We were so sick!!

 

[firsttimermd]

Agreed!

What about the person who takes off their shoes and then proceeds to stink the entire plane. Or OMG the monk who does not bathe on the flight from London to NYC Don't flame I am for all religion but picture this. We were all getting sick at the gate then went in a enclosed plane for 6 hours! We were so sick!!

Look on the bright side, since they don't give much food these days, at least you probably didn't have much of an appetite when they offered you those 4 delicious peanuts!

I also forgot about the hideous-croup-cough man who for some reason cannot appear to get this hand, elbow, or a tissue up to cover his mouth.

 

[katerkat]

I wasn't going to reply because people think I'm rude for saying I wouldn't travel without the car seat, BUT I have travelled with my son, in a car seat, several times. I don't allow him to kick the seat in front of him. I also don't allow him to walk the aisles. I don't allow him to kick my seat in the car, so why would I let him kick a stangers seat on a plane? Does he get mad at me for stopping him, you bet! But I do it anyway because I am the parent and it is what I am supposed to do.

I did find that taking his shoes off when we get on the plane works well for keeping him from kicking.

One of our last flights, I measured. The guy in front of my son reclined and my son had exactly five inches between the edge of his carseat and the seat in front of him. Five inches for his legs - every movement caused a "kick" whether he was trying or not. (And he wasn't trying!)

 

[brandylouwho]

Agreed!

What about the person who takes off their shoes and then proceeds to stink the entire plane. Or OMG the monk who does not bathe on the flight from London to NYC Don't flame I am for all religion but picture this. We were all getting sick at the gate then went in a enclosed plane for 6 hours! We were so sick!!

I experienced something like this too a few years ago. Not monks, but a HUGE group of people (20 or so), who had definitely not bathed in awhile. It was some 9 hours from Frankfurt to Detroit. Then entire cabin had a slightly funky odor, but the back of the plane, where they were all sitting smelled awful. My husband just about died when two of the kids from that group were seated next to us, with no adult.

Luckily, the kids were very well behaved and their odor wasn't bad (pre-pubescent thank goodness). Needless to say, we avoided the back restrooms on that flight.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

I cant help but read and laugh at this point. I have been on this board for years and post questions all the time...."Help me find a chocolate basket for my husband" or "My Mothers is having her 64th Birthday and its her first trip to Disney-Need ideas" Or a "Pre trip report", "Grocery delivery options at DVC resorts?" I even tried out the WISHES section of this board (lost 70lbs btw) and Im lucky if I make it to a page 2. TONS of posts. But never something that turned into 8 pages. Now if I could get 8 pages of suggestions on WHERE to find the best chocolate basket!!

I HAVE read some great suggestions. Although now I wonder if the car seat will only cause more issues (kicking). I have a Britax Boulevard and its HUGE- perhaps (if we were to get an open seat) the car seat would only cause issues with her "kicking" the back of the seat in front of her, maybe I should just see if I can put in the seat without the carseat. She is about 19lbs and not 30" yet (thats small for a baby her age) so her little legs aren't very long, but who knows.

I certainly feel more confident no matter what because, thanks to several posters (Rrobin and firstimemd, etc) I bought a back pack and filled it with various activities. Its already ready to go. with everything from colorwonder paints to stickers, activity books, post it notes, mini boxes of goldfish, DoodlePro Travel size and MORE!!! .

It hadn't occurred to me to gate check the car seat- love that idea!

So now I just have to calculate how many carry ons I will have!

Does anyone know what website gives details of what security rules are for products allowed in a diaper bag and how they must be packaged?

 

[Rileymax]

for anyone interested I found this

www.travelingwithkids.com
health and safety- air travel

I wonder about the liquids. she wont drink anything but milk or formula. I need to check out the rules for that. I do have little "to go" packets of formula that is mixed with water. Milk has to be kept cold...

We just flew with our two children (ages 3 and 16 months). I would never fly without a seat for both my children, mainly for my own peace of mind... My children are very rarely still, and for me personally, two hours trying to keep him occupied and on my lap would be torture for me. (not to mention the people around me) This is just MY opinion and how I know my kids would handle that situation... For us, its more than worth the extra money to purchase a seat.

We bought the harness above, his little feet were not long enough to reach the seat in front, and we had our seats so that my husband and my 3 year old were directly behind us... so the few times she did kick the seat in front of her... it didn't bother another passenger. She just kicked her brothers seat...

Worked out great for us. And the harness is SO MUCH smaller to carry around the airport... i loved it!!!

We flew before with the carseat, but as many people have posted it puts the little feet mere inches from the seat in front. Especially if they recline... just by moving his feet prior to the flysafely harness, he'd bump the seat in front of us.

I think the harness is 75 dollars, but would be easier to carry with you through the airport in case they did have an empty seat....

 

[firsttimermd]

I just wanted to say that the other day I read that if a car seat is wider than 16" it won't fit on an average plane seat. I said heck, my left thigh is bigger than that!! I do know some of those Britax carseats (very expensive, ultimate in safety for those that question if we value our children's safety!! ) are HUGE--I have one too. My friend has a marathon and I really doubt it would fit, at least with the arms down. Anyway, I talked to AirTran yesterday and she said, "you can take anything you need for a baby as long as you are travelling with one." Lord knows if I call again I will get a totally different answer, so I am going to try to find an authority online and get a real answer.

Can't wait to figure that one out! Sounds like the backpack is coming along nicely. I have to get mine together too. I'm also adding a little bag full of stuff I don't mind if she tosses on the ground and easy enough to pick up later because she LOVES to empty bags and refill them. Usually my wallet falls victim, but I can't have my license floating around the plane!!

Take care!

 

[MamaJen]

I cant help but read and laugh at this point. I have been on this board for years and post questions all the time...."Help me find a chocolate basket for my husband" or "My Mothers is having her 64th Birthday and its her first trip to Disney-Need ideas" Or a "Pre trip report", "Grocery delivery options at DVC resorts?" I even tried out the WISHES section of this board (lost 70lbs btw) and Im lucky if I make it to a page 2. TONS of posts. But never something that turned into 8 pages. Now if I could get 8 pages of suggestions on WHERE to find the best chocolate basket!!

I HAVE read some great suggestions. Although now I wonder if the car seat will only cause more issues (kicking). I have a Britax Boulevard and its HUGE- perhaps (if we were to get an open seat) the car seat would only cause issues with her "kicking" the back of the seat in front of her, maybe I should just see if I can put in the seat without the carseat. She is about 19lbs and not 30" yet (thats small for a baby her age) so her little legs aren't very long, but who knows.

I certainly feel more confident no matter what because, thanks to several posters (Rrobin and firstimemd, etc) I bought a back pack and filled it with various activities. Its already ready to go. with everything from colorwonder paints to stickers, activity books, post it notes, mini boxes of goldfish, DoodlePro Travel size and MORE!!! .

It hadn't occurred to me to gate check the car seat- love that idea!

So now I just have to calculate how many carry ons I will have!

Does anyone know what website gives details of what security rules are for products allowed in a diaper bag and how they must be packaged?

I actually just went to website because I'm leaving tomorrow and wanted to know what I can and cannot bring with me. I went to our airlines website (southwest.com) and they had a link to a website that listed everything that you can and cannot bring on an airplane. If you are bringing a child you can bring food/formula/juice that is more than 3 oz., just make sure that it's packaging is see through. If you bring anything that liquid (yes, even eyeliner) make sure that it's less than 3 oz. The airlines website even told how much carry-on and checked baggage you are allowed to bring. With SouthWest it's one personal item (purse, computer case, ect.) and one carry-one item for every ticked person, so lap children are not allowed to bring their own carry-on . I was very disappointed when I read this but I guess it's good because I would be going around with a 1 yo, a diaper bag, purse, toy bag, hubby's computer bag, hubby's carry on, car seat or stoller (gate check-in) . I'm probably better off with just my two bags and hubbys two bags.

Good luck and have fun on your trip!!! I'll be on my flight about 16 hours!!!

 

[Colinsmom]

I just wanted to say that the other day I read that if a car seat is wider than 16" it won't fit on an average plane seat. I said heck, my left thigh is bigger than that!! I do know some of those Britax carseats (very expensive, ultimate in safety for those that question if we value our children's safety!! ) are HUGE--I have one too. My friend has a marathon and I really doubt it would fit, at least with the arms down. Anyway, I talked to AirTran yesterday and she said, "you can take anything you need for a baby as long as you are travelling with one." Lord knows if I call again I will get a totally different answer, so I am going to try to find an authority online and get a real answer.

Can't wait to figure that one out! Sounds like the backpack is coming along nicely. I have to get mine together too. I'm also adding a little bag full of stuff I don't mind if she tosses on the ground and easy enough to pick up later because she LOVES to empty bags and refill them. Usually my wallet falls victim, but I can't have my license floating around the plane!!

Take care!

The Marathon (and its cousins) fits on airplanes; we've flown with it quite a few times. You do have to raise the armrests but that's no biggie - just don't get into the bulkhead row and it will be fine. Only the Regent isn't certified for air travel (nor are their seat belt positioning boosters, but no one makes a booster that can be used on an airplane since planes don't have shoulder belts).

 

[allyphoe]

I just wanted to say that the other day I read that if a car seat is wider than 16" it won't fit on an average plane seat. I said heck, my left thigh is bigger than that!! I do know some of those Britax carseats (very expensive, ultimate in safety for those that question if we value our children's safety!! ) are HUGE--I have one too. My friend has a marathon and I really doubt it would fit, at least with the arms down.

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?p=199728 suggests that both the Marathon and the Boulevard should fit.

 

[Disneyforus]

To the original poster, I was in much the same position as you...for me I realized too late that I wanted a seat for my 18 month old. (the flight was
already full) I am a worrier, and thought of every possible bad thing that could
happen to my child on the flight unrestrained...I decided to purchase the baby b'air vest and at least know that I could relax (not worry) during the cruise portion of the flight. I got it on Ebay for a decent price. I bought the toddler size and it was plenty big for my 30 lb; at the time, toddler.

So, I put him in the vest once we got settled in our seat and planned on hooking him to my belt after take off. Well, none of the FA's batted an eye at him having it on so I hooked him to my seatbelt for take off. (Please no FLAMES) I also did it for landing and had the same experience on our flight home.

Bottom line, I would have preferred him to have his own seat...it just didn't work that way. But, ya know what???? We had a fabulous trip of a lifetime and all the worry about him flying unrestrained was just a minor blip.

So, have a wonderful trip however you all get there!!