Flying with babies.

**Nishu** · 12-01-2009, 10:24 PM

Ok. I'm torn. (And I'm sorry if there's a more appropriate forum for this... I can't think of any. )

I bought tickets for all of us, but my 16 monther is, at the moment, a lap baby. I can't buy her a ticket right now because I lost my debit card.

I'm somewhat worried about letting her ride unrestrained.

I'm reading a lot that says that flying with babies is like driving with babies and that I should hang my head in shame if I even consider flying with her on my lap, but the evidence is not compelling.

Do you buy tickets for your babies?

**ravenmaniac** · 12-01-2009, 10:42 PM

I never had the money to fly with my kids when they were that little. My father bought my sister, me, and our kids the plane tickets when we flew out to see him in Portland, OR. My niece was under 2 and she did have her own seat. The only time she sat in the seat was during take off and landing. Other than that she sat with my sister, me, my daughter, or my son. She was just too little to sit in the seat by herself. Especially since the flight was so long.

Don't hang your head in shame for not buying a ticket. I have seen a lot of kids under the age of two that did not have their own seat on a plane. If you decided to purchase a ticket than that is your choice too. I feel it is a matter of personal preference. You do what you feel you need to do.

Me personally, I would buy a ticket for my child. That is just me.

**Lady_V** · 12-01-2009, 10:59 PM

Diva was just days under 16 months when I flew with her from Cambodia.

I wore a Baby Bjorn carrier (I flew alone and I was afraid of falling asleep and dropping her... I was a Mom for a whole week then

) It was a 5500 mile flight (give or take)

During take off and landing the babies have to face forward. The carrier helped keeping her from squirming around.

**Siebrie** · 12-02-2009, 04:16 AM

If she's within certain weight and lenght limits, you can ask for a basinet. It will be attached to the partition wall for you especially and she will be buckled in while she sleeps.

While she's sitting on your lap, she will also be buckled in, with a special buckle that's attached to yours.

I flew a 7hr flight with our dd9m, and we had no problems. She did not have her own seat, but then, she could not yet walk and was happy on my lap/in the basinet.

She may have problems with her ears during take-off/landing: give her something to drink or suck, or let her swallow with her mouth open (that's hard - practise), or let her blow her nose.

**Nishu** · 12-02-2009, 04:27 AM

Thanks everyone. I ordered a replacement debit card (

) so when that comes in hopefully I'll I'll be able to get her a seat.

I found a lot online about how I should get her her own seat, but not a lot about why. The risk is so small that it's almost a non issue in my opinion.

Problem is, my baby is very tall for her age. Our longest flight is going to be almost 4 hours. I really think she should be in her own seat buckled in just to be comfortable. I'm nervous about flying anyway and I don't want my girls to be all angry when the show up to grandma's house, so this time around I'm just going to suck it up and buy her a ticket.

Thank you!

**Mummy2** · 12-02-2009, 09:11 AM

Dont worry, I flew home with my DD at 14days (live on an island). Then flew with her at 3mo, then 8mo, then 10mo, then both kids, its a hand full but its ok you can manage. The first time they got their own seats was when My ex had to travel by him self with them (HAHAHA!! I got great pleasure out of that one!)
Mind the ears and pressure, we were told to give the kids Benadryl to help with fluid in the ears and to give them bottles or sippy cups during take off and landing. It works and make sure you have lots of busy snacks and games.

Good luck!! Have a great time!

**Libby** · 12-03-2009, 12:54 AM

I'd say opt for buying the seat for her for landing and take off as well...for safety's sake. You may not need the baby seat/booster but I think I read something about a travel harness instead - suited to the size of a baby. Not sure how much extra that would be though. Plus think of it this way - you'll get more elbow and leg room and she can lay down sideways if need be for a nap?

**Greebo** · 12-03-2009, 06:26 AM

Speaking as a pilot - if something happens on that flight that makes your child being unrestrained a serious issue, it's going to be an issue for *everyone*, including you, and honestly I doubt a few hundred extra for a seat of the baby's own isn't going to make a difference.

If the child can sit with you and be restrained, save the money if you can't afford it.

**IntlMom** · 12-03-2009, 09:27 AM

I never bought seats for my kids when they were under two.

the boys flew home from russia on our laps and our daughter flew home from china on our lap.

I flew with my boys when they were both under two. (by myself, I might add!) and I had to buy a seat for one so that I could hold the other on my lap.

Fast forward several years, and my daughter flew on my lap when she was 22 months old as well.

No problems.

**IntlMom** · 12-03-2009, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Speaking as a pilot - if something happens on that flight that makes your child being unrestrained a serious issue, it's going to be an issue for *everyone*, including you, and honestly I doubt a few hundred extra for a seat of the baby's own isn't going to make a difference.

If the child can sit with you and be restrained, save the money if you can't afford it.

What??? Have you been "posting while flying" all this time??

lol - it just struck me as funny......course, could be since I have been awake since 2:30 this morning!

**monkeywrangler71** · 12-03-2009, 09:36 AM

Flying with a baby on your lap is absolutely nothing like driving with a baby on your lap. A carseat can protect them in an automobile accident, it doesn't protect them in a plane crash. It's not a safety issue, if it was the airlines wouldn't allow it.

It's all about your own personal preference. Is your child going to be more relaxed on your lap or strapped in their seat. We never bought extra seats, our children preferred to be held.

**Greebo** · 12-03-2009, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by IntlMom

What??? Have you been "posting while flying" all this time??

lol - it just struck me as funny......course, could be since I have been awake since 2:30 this morning!

LOL - no - I'm not actively flying anymore. It' too expensive and if I were, my life insurance policy would be even more expensive than it is now.

But I have been a certified private pilot since 2003 and I am a founding member of a fairly popular aviation website for pilots - so I have a *reasonable* understanding of the subject.