Going to Florida to see IL's so we dont need the car seat when we get there (they have one) ..so do you recommend bringing it for plane anyway or lapping it? LO is 16 mo old....
DD was a lap child at 8 months, 14 months and 20 months. It was fine. The last flight was to FL and was just under 3 hours and it wasn't to bad. DH boarded the plane first and then I got on with DD toward the end of the boarding so she wasn't stuck on the plane as long.
Just bring a bag of tricks - quiet toys, books, snacks. A favorite blanket or a lovey.
If you use it in the plane, you will need to pay for their seat. Otherwise, under 2 is free if they are on your lap. IMO, in your situation, I would and have done the lap.
L was so active at 16 months it was hard to contain her in a lap. The carseat wasn't much better, but we weren't exhausted from the flight because we were wrestling an alligator. She's had her own seat through most of our flight since then.
If you don't need one when you get there, don't bring one at all. It's a pain to lug it all around the airport. DD is going to be on our lap for a flight to Jamaica in 2 weeks and we bought a portable DVD player so she can watch Mickey for part of the flight. The rest of the time I have toys, books, snacks and stuff to keep her busy.
I wouldn't haul a car seat through the airport and on the plane if you won't need it at your destination. Keep LO on your lap if you're comfortable with that or look into the CARES harness that PP suggested.
med-free birth x2, breastfeeding, baby wearing SAHM My BFP Chart
Re: Carseat and flying
How long is your flight?
DD was a lap child at 8 months, 14 months and 20 months. It was fine. The last flight was to FL and was just under 3 hours and it wasn't to bad. DH boarded the plane first and then I got on with DD toward the end of the boarding so she wasn't stuck on the plane as long.
Just bring a bag of tricks - quiet toys, books, snacks. A favorite blanket or a lovey.
My kids have always flown as lap children until they age out. Even when I was 27 weeks pregnant with my DS and flew alone with my DD she sat on my lap
The only time I bought them each a seat was when I flew with them by myself and needed/wanted the space.
I'm not sure where you're located, but I personally would not spend the extra money.
BLOG: The Quinntessential Mommy
med-free birth x2, breastfeeding, baby wearing SAHM
My BFP Chart