For those that have travelled with a toddler by plane

My in-laws are taking me, DH, DD (who will be 21 months at the time), SIL, BIL, and their DD (who will be 12 months) to Dominican Republic in March. They did not buy DD a seat. I mentioned to them that we are just giong to pay for DD to have a seat since it's a long flight for her to be sitting on someone's lap, and they will also have my SIL's DD to contend with as well.

My MIL and SIL think I'm crazy and that it's not that big a deal and we can just all take turns holding her. So BTDT Mommies, what do you think...is this too long a flight to go without DD having her own seat?

Re: For those that have travelled with a toddler by plane

Buy a seat!!

Re: For those that have travelled with a toddler by plane

My kids have all slept on me during flights when they were under 2. If money is no object buy a seat. If it is a lap child is fine.

Re: For those that have travelled with a toddler by plane

We just got back from Italy and Al Italia doesn't sell seats for children under the age of 2

Needless to say Jack sat on my lap for 9 hours going and coming. All in all - it wasn't that bad. Going - he slept. Coming back we played alot - he walked around - he sat in my seat.

I sure as heck wasn't comfy when he slept on me for 5 hours going - but he didn't mind!

Re: For those that have travelled with a toddler by plane

How long is the flight? We traveled to Aruba twice with DS once at 5 months and once at 18 months, both time he was a lap child. I couldn't see spending $800 for a seat for him if I didn't need to. Round trip the first time there was an empty seat that they moved us to so we were able to put DS in a seat anyway. The second time on the way down no empty seat but we had one on the way back. If money isn't an issue then I guess why not I just didn't want to have to pay until I had to! Also I had my DH with me so I knew we could both occupy him.

Re: For those that have travelled with a toddler by plane

I think they are NUTS! Ive travelled ALOT since dd was born including when she was 6 weeks old. Ive seen the transition of her becoming less stable in the seat. Shes 20 months now...NOT A CHANCE will I have her on my lap...Nope...No way!!! HTH

Re: For those that have travelled with a toddler by plane

Honestly - I think it is easier to get a seat for them.

Another reason we did for DD is that we needed her car seat when we got to where we were going

Re: For those that have travelled with a toddler by plane

Posted by Diana1215

We just got back from Italy and Al Italia doesn't sell seats for children under the age of 2

Needless to say Jack sat on my lap for 9 hours going and coming. All in all - it wasn't that bad. Going - he slept. Coming back we played alot - he walked around - he sat in my seat.

I sure as heck wasn't comfy when he slept on me for 5 hours going - but he didn't mind!

Re: For those that have travelled with a toddler by plane

Posted by Lillykat

Posted by Marcie

Honestly - I think it is easier to get a seat for them.

Another reason we did for DD is that we needed her car seat when we got to where we were going

I would definitely get a seat - not only is it safer (in case of turbulence etc) but I couldn't imagine holding a toddler in my arms for a longer flight they will want to get up and run around. We have bought DD a seat for her up coming trip there is no way she would sit still for 5 mins in any of our laps and would be crying b.c she wants to run around. At least she is used to her car seat and it will contain her.

I think it is easier to have a lap baby when they are younger and not walking yet -b/c they won't want to run around as much.

Posted by Diana1215

We just got back from Italy and Al Italia doesn't sell seats for children under the age of 2

Needless to say Jack sat on my lap for 9 hours going and coming. All in all - it wasn't that bad. Going - he slept. Coming back we played alot - he walked around - he sat in my seat.

I sure as heck wasn't comfy when he slept on me for 5 hours going - but he didn't mind!

WOW when did they change that? I have friends who fly with them and they got a seats for their kids and they were under 2 - you pay adult fare (no kids fare so it is the same price as you would pay) but they had no issue purchasing seats for their kids in the past.

Re: For those that have travelled with a toddler by plane

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by Lillykat

Posted by Marcie

Honestly - I think it is easier to get a seat for them.

Another reason we did for DD is that we needed her car seat when we got to where we were going

I would definitely get a seat - not only is it safer (in case of turbulence etc) but I couldn't imagine holding a toddler in my arms for a longer flight they will want to get up and run around. We have bought DD a seat for her up coming trip there is no way she would sit still for 5 mins in any of our laps and would be crying b.c she wants to run around. At least she is used to her car seat and it will contain her.

I think it is easier to have a lap baby when they are younger and not walking yet -b/c they won't want to run around as much.

Posted by Diana1215

We just got back from Italy and Al Italia doesn't sell seats for children under the age of 2

Needless to say Jack sat on my lap for 9 hours going and coming. All in all - it wasn't that bad. Going - he slept. Coming back we played alot - he walked around - he sat in my seat.

I sure as heck wasn't comfy when he slept on me for 5 hours going - but he didn't mind!

WOW when did they change that? I have friends who fly with them and they got a seats for their kids and they were under 2 - you pay adult fare (no kids fare so it is the same price as you would pay) but they had no issue purchasing seats for their kids in the past.

I have no idea when/why they changed it. We had to still pay for him (not a full fare though and then obviously taxes) but my mom tried to get him a seat and couldn't.

Re: For those that have travelled with a toddler by plane

Get a seat!!!
Get a seat!!!


and did I mention...

GET A SEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!