Worrying about Flying with a "lap child"

[firsttimermd]

What a cute picture!! Mine will be 15 months and I'm on the fence too. On one hand, of course safety is priceless, but on the other hand, if I fork out hundreds of dollars for a seat that she will freak out and not want to be in all whilst the ever-so-understanding (not!) travelers nearby give me the evil eye, then what good have I done. It is cliche, but you are darned if you do and darned if you don't. Hmmm, let's see--happy baby snuggling with mommy but might get torpedoed into the roof during turbulence or screaming horrified baby disturbing an entire planeful of people that will want to lynch both of us by the end of the flight. Either way I say our safety is in jeopardy!!

Let's just pray for an open seat that we can have the carseat and hope the little ones tolerate it without crying until they puke!!!

Take care!

 

[brymolmom]

We try to make decisions together, we are a single income family,I guess we would call it "discussing" but the truth is, he handles the finances and to purchase a ticket he has said we should not be buying would be really disrespectful in my opinion. I wish I had pushed harder in the beginning when the price was lower.But to spend $400 without mutual consent- I just cant do that. I wish we had the extra funds.

Thankfully by our next trip she will be 2 and will be required to have a seat.

I think you should try again with starting with the 'making decisions together' statement. Because in this instance - you didn't make a decision together. He made the decision. Maybe if you look at your finances that you do handle (trips to the grocery store or other??) - and cut as many costs from that from now until your trip - you will 'find' the $ needed - or maybe half. Then presenting this 'compromise' might be an option.

Of course, this being said - I never purchased a ticket for my kids prior to 2. I was comfortable (well as comfortable as I can be on a plane with my kids - even now with them in their own seats I am nervous of crashing) with it though. It really sounds as if you are having a tough time with it though and will be way too stressed to even enjoy your trip.

Make sure you ask before doing what a pp suggested and saving a seat between you...if the flight MIGHT be full - it would be so much easier to have 3 across with a lap child.

And, during your discussions - make sure to tell dh that he gets half the time with the baby during the flight! Ask him what distractions and toys he plans to bring for his time.

 

[annie1995]

OK, stupid question coming here...... I have a car DVD player that runs off a cigerate lighter. How do I run it on the plane??

 

[dunbarfamily]

We've taken our children as lap babies from age nine and a half months to two years old with no problems. In September, we'll be flying with our 5 month old as a lap baby.

Don't worry!

 

[viscohana]

OK, stupid question coming here...... I have a car DVD player that runs off a cigerate lighter. How do I run it on the plane??

We had to purchase a rechargeable battery separately. Found one at Office Max on clearance for $11 last month. It lasts about 2-3 hours.

 

[CindyCharming]

My daughter was 21 months last year and I decided to buy her a seat figuring we would all be better off. She sat on one of our laps both there and back. It was nice to have the room in the middle but, since it was a half empty flight, we probably would have had that extra seat without buying a ticket anyways. I was kind of kicking myself, but hey, I did what I thought was best.

I wouldn't worry too much about it either way. Bring lots of stuff, rotate her between laps if you need to, and just try to stay calm yourself. Sometimes I find if I'm all stressed out and anxious my kids seem to sense that and act accordingly. If I focus on staying and calm and going with the flow they do the same. Remember, it's an Orlando flight, there are lots of families.

 

[Jaymie]

I am planning on bringing my car seat- but thought I would have to check it- are you allowed to bring it as a carry on? If you aren't planning to use it in the seat.

With the car seat that I brought & couldn't use, they did give me option of putting it in the overhead bin, but ours was a little too big or odd sized and wouldn't fit, so they gate checked it with our stroller and it was all waiting there when we exited the plane.

How long is your flight? If it's less the 3 hours, I woulnd't stress too much. It's only a few hours. Even if it's doesn't go smootly, it won't last forever. The odds of anything happening with your lap child must be very slim or it wouldn't be allowed. Wiggle worms and crying babies aren't the end of world. IF DH feels that strongly and he's willing to take on some of the work, forget about the extra seat and avoid the stress of fighting it out.

Soon enough you'll be enjoying your wonderful vacation!!

 

[firsttimermd]

I think you should try again with starting with the 'making decisions together' statement. Because in this instance - you didn't make a decision together. He made the decision. Maybe if you look at your finances that you do handle (trips to the grocery store or other??) - and cut as many costs from that from now until your trip - you will 'find' the $ needed - or maybe half. Then presenting this 'compromise' might be an option.

And, during your discussions - make sure to tell dh that he gets half the time with the baby during the flight! Ask him what distractions and toys he plans to bring for his time.

Hi. I just wanted to say that I am sorry that her question has turned into a debate about her position in her marriage. I think many of us can totally understand the idea of her husband knowing that the finances simply aren't there to do the ticket and "making a decision together" sort of becomes impossible when one or the other has to say no. If I had to get a ticket for my little one, the trip may not be possible at all and this whole discussion would be null. And perhaps we shouldn't be travelling with finances so tight, but we have a very big life change coming up and it is critical to us to have this family time together. So we play the odds and trust that the good Lord has our backs and that we will have a safe and fun flight.

She has been clear that the decision was made and now she would like HELPFUL hints, not debate to further stress/worry her.

 

[Nicholfamily5]

No worries.

I've flown a few times with a lap baby. The first time, she was 4 months, and actually had a cold that came on that day. I was so nervous about her poor little ears that I just popped her on the **** everytime she made a peep! Needless to say, she puked all over me and I was the miserable one! lol...I laugh now!!!

Seriously, I would bring your Flight approved carseat up to the gate, and inquire about available seats. If none, check it. Don't stress, bring LOTS of fun toys. The last flight, my dd was about 24 months, and I got this tub of link toys at the dollar store. She sat on my lap for 4 hours just linking these things together! I'm sure we left more than a few under the seats, but my fellow passengers even commented on how good she was.

Personally, and this may be twisted mommy logic, but I freak myself out thinking about plane crashes. I feel like if I had to get my son out of the seat quickly, I couldn't do it. I do however carry a sling on with me, and keep it looped around me, so that I can tighten it at a moments notice. It isn't a carrier that restrains him, just a maya wrap. It's more for my own peace of mind. Although, if you aren't accustomed to using one, it could be just awful with an older one!

Good Luck!

 

[rrobin3051]

As you can see from most of the posts you most likely will be ok without a seat!!!! I thought a new toy for every 15 min of flight sounds good. I dont know how you feel about some sort of candy I dont give ours candy but hey on flights I did..lol. I found a dumb dumb sucker worked great for take off's and landing. He would not drink continously from a bottle or cup durring this time. Post it notes are great too he loved pulling apart them and sticking them and I could just throw them away. I really didnt bring too much on the plane and we were ok. I didnt bring crayons, toys ect. I brought 3 toys, candy, crackers, juice and post its and just hoped for the best. It was fine. The same went for the parks I didnt overpack for our journey to the park. I figured worse case I would head back to the villa, whats a 15 min. trip back if needed. There was never a day I could of kicked myself for not bringing more. Like I said before we always headed back at some point in the day and after dinner before heading back I would reback what I needed. At night it was even lighter a couple of diapers baby wipes in a ziploc baggie a pair of pj's and my camera and tickets, water for us and one sippy cup. You know I will have more tips for you...lol

 

[GoofItUp]

OK, stupid question coming here...... I have a car DVD player that runs off a cigerate lighter. How do I run it on the plane??

Check seatguru.com. On some planes there are certain seats that have the cigarette-lighter plug-ins under them. We had these on our flight to Hawaii last summer. However, they're only under certain seats and only on certain aircraft. So, if you're plane doesn't have them or you can't get one of those seats, you may have to rely on a battery pack.

 

[brymolmom]

Hi. I just wanted to say that I am sorry that her question has turned into a debate about her position in her marriage. I think many of us can totally understand the idea of her husband knowing that the finances simply aren't there to do the ticket and "making a decision together" sort of becomes impossible when one or the other has to say no. If I had to get a ticket for my little one, the trip may not be possible at all and this whole discussion would be null. And perhaps we shouldn't be travelling with finances so tight, but we have a very big life change coming up and it is critical to us to have this family time together. So we play the odds and trust that the good Lord has our backs and that we will have a safe and fun flight.

She has been clear that the decision was made and now she would like HELPFUL hints, not debate to further stress/worry her.

I am sorry that my hints you don't consider helpful - but that's why everyone's different viewpoints are allowed.

Personally - I thought the trying to save money in other areas to get the ticket was a good tip. Compromise is a way to handle a situation when one spouse 'has' to say no. And might be the only way she has any peace on the trip. Also, the reminder that with multiple people it helps make the trip a lot easier and having two sets of 'things' for distraction - one for each parent - well, some might find that useful.

But I respectfully withdraw my tips if they are not considered helpful.

 

[Princess-in-Training]

I was absolutely joking about the Benadryl--sorry my little icon didn't express that clearly. And yes, I have heard many a horror story about the meds hyping up the kids as opposed to making them tired--not fun on a plane!! I'll be sure to make my jokes more clear in the future. These darn internet notes sure are hard to interpret sometimes!!

Well, have a great evening!

I figured you were but you wouldn't believe how many times I've heard this when people were dead serious!! Unfortunately, alot of moms don't know about the opposite reaction effect. No worries

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

I have a Britax Boulevard carseat and right in the booklet it says its FAA approved. Yeah! So I will most certainly be checking at the front checkin desk as well as the gate desk to see if there is any open seat-if we are really lucky it will be nearby.DH loves to shop for clothes/toys etc for her and he is super at entertaining her and has said he will do everything he can to assist in keeping her happy.

We will also be armed to the teeth with activities, so seat or no, I feel much better after reading ppls positive experiences and the ideas they have to making it a fun flight. Must go buy some post-its and window clings today!
Our flights are 7:40a-10:25 and 7:15p-9:40. About 2hr and 45m. Sometimes they get there faster by a couple min.

 

[ParrotBill]

No worries.
Personally, and this may be twisted mommy logic, but I freak myself out thinking about plane crashes. I feel like if I had to get my son out of the seat quickly, I couldn't do it. I do however carry a sling on with me, and keep it looped around me, so that I can tighten it at a moments notice. It isn't a carrier that restrains him, just a maya wrap. It's more for my own peace of mind. Although, if you aren't accustomed to using one, it could be just awful with an older one!

Good Luck!

In a crash you won't be able to hold on to a small child. A car seat is by far the most safe. Think through your evacuation process enough times that it will be automatic. You can't expect squeeze through an emergency exit window with a child in a sling carrier. Believe me, these prohibition on those carriers has been thought through very carefully.

What I object to is the rule that infant carriers must go in a window seat because they could slow down a passenger in a window seat. I'm not leaving without the baby, so all that does is make it so one of us parents has to get the baby out instead of both of us having a chance to get her out. Well, she's 7 now but that was my thinking for a couple of years.

By the way... bring bottles/sippy cups/straws... something to help with recompression pressure in the ears... most common cause of baby/toddler screaming in the last half hour of every flight. Of course you must get the liquids after going through security.

 

[rrobin3051]

In a crash you won't be able to hold on to a small child. A car seat is by far the most safe. Think through your evacuation process enough times that it will be automatic. You can't expect squeeze through an emergency exit window with a child in a sling carrier. Believe me, these prohibition on those carriers has been thought through very carefully.

What I object to is the rule that infant carriers must go in a window seat because they could slow down a passenger in a window seat. I'm not leaving without the baby, so all that does is make it so one of us parents has to get the baby out instead of both of us having a chance to get her out. Well, she's 7 now but that was my thinking for a couple of years.

By the way... bring bottles/sippy cups/straws... something to help with recompression pressure in the ears... most common cause of baby/toddler screaming in the last half hour of every flight. Of course you must get the liquids after going through security.

they let you bring liquids for children...Good for parents but kind of silly I think. I didnt know that and dumped a sippy cup and security said sippy cups were allowed. So next trip I had two , one juice and one mild sippy and security allowed it without question. The bad thing is my hubby had already gone ahead of us and I came through about 10 mins late and wasnt even questioned. Kind of made you think ...hmmm

 

[djmeredith]

Someone asked earlier about whether or not they still allow use of the "flight vest" at cruise altitude. Unfortunately I don't have the answer because I haven't been a flight attendant for almost 3 years now, so I'm not up to date on that specific rule. However, I'm pretty sure the FAA website would have that info.

Definitely take the car seat with you all the way to the gate. You can always gate check it along with your stroller if there is not an empty seat.

Also, I have a question/comment for parents out there. Some of you stated that you bought a seat, brought the car seat on the plane and attached it, but then took the child out and held them...I also saw this happen frequently when I was a flight attendant. I never understood why someone would do this (unless there was an emergency with a "sick" child or something like that)...and the reason I don't understand is that you would never ever consider taking a child out of the car seat while your car was moving, but you took the child out while in a "vehicle" that travels over 200 mph. Sure they might cry because they want to get out of the seat on the plane, but what would you do in the car if they cried to get out?? Yes, there are other people on the plane who don't want to hear the child crying to get out, but if you are prepared with toys, snacks etc. then you've done everything you can as a good parent and shouldn't worry about what others are thinking when your child's safety is at risk. Kids cry, yes it's annoying, but when the alternative is to let your child be unsafe (out of their seat) I say too bad to the other passengers...it's unlikely they will cry for the entire flight...so don't give in and take them out of the seat on the plane when you wouldn't do it in your car.

 

[jodifla]

Someone asked earlier about whether or not they still allow use of the "flight vest" at cruise altitude. Unfortunately I don't have the answer because I haven't been a flight attendant for almost 3 years now, so I'm not up to date on that specific rule. However, I'm pretty sure the FAA website would have that info.

Definitely take the car seat with you all the way to the gate. You can always gate check it along with your stroller if there is not an empty seat.

Also, I have a question/comment for parents out there. Some of you stated that you bought a seat, brought the car seat on the plane and attached it, but then took the child out and held them...I also saw this happen frequently when I was a flight attendant. I never understood why someone would do this (unless there was an emergency with a "sick" child or something like that)...and the reason I don't understand is that you would never ever consider taking a child out of the car seat while your car was moving, but you took the child out while in a "vehicle" that travels over 200 mph. Sure they might cry because they want to get out of the seat on the plane, but what would you do in the car if they cried to get out?? Yes, there are other people on the plane who don't want to hear the child crying to get out, but if you are prepared with toys, snacks etc. then you've done everything you can as a good parent and shouldn't worry about what others are thinking when your child's safety is at risk. Kids cry, yes it's annoying, but when the alternative is to let your child be unsafe (out of their seat) I say too bad to the other passengers...it's unlikely they will cry for the entire flight...so don't give in and take them out of the seat on the plane when you wouldn't do it in your car.

Huh? You can pull a car over and deal with a child. You can't do that on an airplane.

This seems like very unrealistic advice for many families.

You may need to take the child out so you can go to the bathroom, breast feed, comfort your child, etc. etc.

 

[GoofItUp]

Also, I have a question/comment for parents out there. Some of you stated that you bought a seat, brought the car seat on the plane and attached it, but then took the child out and held them...I also saw this happen frequently when I was a flight attendant. I never understood why someone would do this (unless there was an emergency with a "sick" child or something like that)...and the reason I don't understand is that you would never ever consider taking a child out of the car seat while your car was moving, but you took the child out while in a "vehicle" that travels over 200 mph. Sure they might cry because they want to get out of the seat on the plane, but what would you do in the car if they cried to get out?? Yes, there are other people on the plane who don't want to hear the child crying to get out, but if you are prepared with toys, snacks etc. then you've done everything you can as a good parent and shouldn't worry about what others are thinking when your child's safety is at risk. Kids cry, yes it's annoying, but when the alternative is to let your child be unsafe (out of their seat) I say too bad to the other passengers...it's unlikely they will cry for the entire flight...so don't give in and take them out of the seat on the plane when you wouldn't do it in your car.

My DS-9 mo HATES being in the car seat. He's just getting to where we can ride for a while if he's in a good mood, well fed, not tired, etc. We plan to make stops when we go on longer trips or else he screams - and not for a short amount of time! I know most kids will sleep in the car, but not my little sweetheart. So, riding on a plane for 2 or 3 hours with him in his seat would be out of the question for us. We did not buy him a seat for our upcoming WDW trip, but will bring the carseat in case there's an empty seat we can utilize. However, even if that happens, he won't be riding in it all the way. Just doesn't work for us.

Thankfully I'm still BF-ing DS, so I don't have to worry about carrying on any additional liquids. I've tried to time our flights so that they will hit about nap time. Hopefully he'll eat during takeoff, nap most of the way, and eat during landing to alleviate any problems with his ears. **Keeping my fingers crossed!**

 

[katerkat]

Also, I have a question/comment for parents out there. Some of you stated that you bought a seat, brought the car seat on the plane and attached it, but then took the child out and held them...I also saw this happen frequently when I was a flight attendant. I never understood why someone would do this (unless there was an emergency with a "sick" child or something like that)...and the reason I don't understand is that you would never ever consider taking a child out of the car seat while your car was moving, but you took the child out while in a "vehicle" that travels over 200 mph. Sure they might cry because they want to get out of the seat on the plane, but what would you do in the car if they cried to get out?? Yes, there are other people on the plane who don't want to hear the child crying to get out, but if you are prepared with toys, snacks etc. then you've done everything you can as a good parent and shouldn't worry about what others are thinking when your child's safety is at risk. Kids cry, yes it's annoying, but when the alternative is to let your child be unsafe (out of their seat) I say too bad to the other passengers...it's unlikely they will cry for the entire flight...so don't give in and take them out of the seat on the plane when you wouldn't do it in your car.

Ha - I had a flight attendant tell me to take my son out of the carseat before his hysterical sobs drove everyone insane. I didn't buy him a seat when he was under a year, but at 17 months, I couldn't hold him anymore. So he had a paid seat and was an angel. At 20 months, he started freaking out on planes. (Hence his lack of flights since then!) I was completely prepared with favorite toys, new toys, etc, but he was hysterical and did not want to be there. I ended up sitting next to a paid-for empty carseat the majority of the flight.

And sorry, the car comparison doesn't work for me. First of all, in the car, he knows Mommy is driving and can't always deal with him right away - Mommy's not two inches from him. Second, I can always stop the car to deal with him. Or turn the music up really loud to drown out his screams.