Flying with baby on lap?

Snlmom · September 2013

My husband surprised me with an incredible trip to Hawaii for our 10 year wedding anniversary! We go in November and Im so excited, but he bought us only 3 seats- one for each of us and one for my 6 year old daughter. So that means we will be holding our 9 month old dd on our lap. We don't usually fly 1st class but this time we are since its a special occasion. He said 3 seats in first is better for us then 4 seats in coach, but Im not sure I agree. She will be (about 17 lbs), is generally a very relaxed baby and I will be still nursing. The flights are direct from Phoenix 6.5 hours there and 5.5 hours back (red eye) Thanks for any opinions or experiences!

lindsey30 · September 2013

I just flew all by myself with DS two weeks ago (2.5 hr flight). He just turned 9 months yesterday and is 21 lbs. I held him in my lap the whole time and he did great! I tried to feed him when we were taking off so his ears wouldn't hurt. He actually slept the WHOLE flight on all four flights (to NC and back home, and both were connecting flights). I actually think it was easier holding him in my lap then if I had his car seat next to me. Just make sure you have snacks, toys and a paci (if you give one). Good luck and try not to stress out too much.I did before hand and it was a lot easier than I thought it would be, plus you have your husband to help out! Have fun and I'm totally jealous you are going to Hawaii!

Stillharbor · September 2013

I just flew over the Labor Day weekend and LO did awesome! She's 9 months and we had toys to occupy her. We tried to hold off feeding her until take off, so her ears wouldn't hurt. Then she ended up sleeping the entire flight both ways and only woke up for landings and take offs. The hardest part was carrying all her stuff thought the airport and security. Relax enjoy the flight. You and YH can take turns holding her during the flight.

JJ_13 · September 2013

We are flying in April when LO will be 16 months old - I've pretty much decided we need to buy a seat and take on a car seat for her. By that time, she will be really mobile and I don't think holding her in my lap will make a long flight (5.5 hours) very enjoyable for everyone. I want to have the option of putting her in her car seat next to me, or holding her as needed. Also, safety recommendations really are that you have babies in their own seat. It's not because of plane crashes - we all know that if the plane crashes, none of us are likely to survive - but more for protection during turbulence. That said, if I had to fly right now (LO is 9 months old), I might consider just carrying her to save the money.

tortuga47 · September 2013

I've done a lot of flying with my LO. If your LO gets distracted easily from nursing be prepared that she may get distracted and not nurse, so I'd bring bottles just in case (and a pump for you if you can!) My first flight was miserable because he want on a breastfeeding strike. He didn't eat and I didn't get to pump for almost 14 hrs. MISERY!! Also, bring a few toys that don't make noise, a few books and plenty of snacks. With three of you there to distract her, I'm sure she will do great. My DS is usually distracted and interested in what's going on around him the first hour or so anyway, and once the plane is in the air it's like a super white noise machine. GL!

Clovesjellybeans · September 2013

We flew with LO at 6.5 months. I gave her some tylenol before take off and landing and she did great. She kept everyone entertained and didn't cry. However, other kids were MISERABLE and bawling the whole time. 4 hour flight to Dominican republic. With my previous experience, I would do it again, but I feel like I know my kid and she's pretty chilled.

spinsoffresonance · September 2013

I flew with DH and DD to Europe when she was 4 months old and 9 months old. Both times we flew in economy and requested a bassinet. ( usually you have to call the airline after you book the flight to request the bassinet. And make sure they sit you in the bulkhead. Twice they put in the request for us but didn't sit us in the bulkhead so we had to call back and switch seats. Not sure if the bassinet is an option in first though)
At 4 months it was super easy, DD slept in the whole time on all 4 flights. I made sure to nurse or give her a pacifier at take off and landing to relieve ear pressure. At 9 months it was much harder. On the flight to Europe, we expected DD would sleep most of the time in the bassinet since it was an overnight flight. Well they didn't have the bassinet in the plane so we had to hold her to entire time. Because of this she didn't quite realize it was nighttime and was awake most of the flight. Every time she was almost asleep, someone would walk down the aisle and she would get distracted and wake right up. That was a rough night. On the way back it was a daytime flight and things went much smoother. I was by myself with DD but this time I had an empty seat next to me, which helped a lot. She was able to jump around and play by herself on the extra seat which kept her much happier than if I held her the whole time. I brought a bunch of toys to keep her entertained but there was so much new stuff to look at on the plane that she didn't even care for the new toys.
Traveling alone with DD the extra seat was a life saver. That being said with 3 seats in first, you're going to have so much room you'll be just fine, especially that your six year old and the baby can probably share a seat with room to spare.

ForeverEverAfter · September 2013

Yes, you can have a baby in first class. Most plane types you can't have a carseat in first class though-something to do with the size or shape of the seat. I have only flown with DD as a lap baby (because we fly standby as employees and it would take days longer to get 2 seats together sometimes). She nurses on takeoff and sleeps most of the way. Engines are great white noise. I use a buckle carrier going through the airport and getting on the plane so I have less gear to carry. Being paranoid, I do keep my carrier on (with baby out of it) and if I knew there'd be a hard landing I would put her in it regardless of what the flight attendant says. My husband is a pilot and 9/10 they would know something is wrong before landing and brief the passengers first.

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