Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

WWYD?

Flying cross-country (6ish hours) with 7 month old....

Lap
or
Buy a seat ($250-$400)


*EDIT!

I actually have TrueBlue rewards flights... so he can fly free with his ow seat.... does that change your choice??

Message edited 5/21/2010 3:14:00 PM.

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat?

LAP!!!

We didn't buy Christopher a seat until he was 27 months. The year we flew when he was 15 months both ways he got a seat b/c the flight wasn't full

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat?

Lap

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat?

lap-we are flying in a couple of weeks and are buying a seat for DD (she's almost 3) but hold DS (he will be almost 7 months).

Claire was a lap baby until she turned 2 and did great.

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

We did "lap" but only went from NY to Florida.

6 hours might be annoying.

If his seat is free I would get him one for 6 hours. A shorter flight I would stick with lap.

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

Lap! We did 3 hours to Boston and back last weekend (DD is 9 months) and it was fine. We could have done 6 no problem... the only time she was cranky was when she was so tired and fighting a nap. Her having her own seat wouldn't have made a difference I don't think.

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

see if they have bassinets for cross country flights!!!

otherwise, LAP. I figure he'll probably want to be in your lap for most of the flight anyway

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

Buy a seat.. if he deosn't use it..you will at least have more room!!! (especially if it's free)

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

I still wouldn't get the seat-I know DD just wanted to be held whenever we flew.

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

LAP!

I did lap until she was TWO!

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

We had DS as a lap child at 9 months. He amazingly feel asleep as we started to take off both ways and stayed sleeping for 3 hours on me. I think it was the buzzing/humming of the plane.

At 7 months, I would do lap again.

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

I am going to be in the minority and tell you that flying on the lap is NOT safe and that you should purchase hm a seat. I C&P a post from some time ago explaining my reasons:

<Amy drags soapbox from corner>

As a former flight attendant who actually went to DC to support changing the laws re: lap children on flights, I can tell you that having a child on your seat is NOT safe.

I am so angry that the FAA and airlines continue to lead parents to falsely believe that even though your laptop and purse must be secured under your seat or in an overhead bin, it's perfectly fine to hold your most precious cargo on your lap, unrestrained by nothing more than your arms.

Holding a baby in your lap during take-off and landing is the same as holding your child in your arms in your car, except during take-off and landing you're going MUCH faster. Aborted take-offs and missed approaches can be pretty dramatic and cause injury to anyone not strapped in.

I don't blame the parents for taking advantage of this practice as the FAA and airlines lead you to believe that having a child under 2 on your lap is perfectly safe. IT IS NOT. The leading population with injuries/deaths during accidents (where there are deaths) and incidents are lap children. Even seemingly minor incidents (short stops, turbulance) can cause injury to these children. Arms are just not the same as a seatbelt.

Again, I've never blamed the parents- it's the airlines and the FAA's fault for allowing it.

ETA: I am eligible to fly for free, yet we choose to buy seats for me and the kids because we cannot be guaranteed that my "lap baby" would get her own seat where she'd be safe.

Message edited 5/21/2010 3:56:43 PM.

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

The bassinet is only to be used for cruise. During "critical phases" of flight (taxi, take-off, turbulance, landing) the baby would have to be in your arms. These critical phases are the most important times for a child to be truly secure.

Message edited 5/21/2010 4:01:05 PM.

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

Thanks Amy!

My mom is actually a flight attendant too! She said SEAT for sure also.

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

100% get a seat if it is for free. I did lap flying with Evan, but I flew southwest. So what i did was when we got on the plane I put Evan in the middle seat so people thought it was taken. Then no one asked so I got him a seat for free. It was great!

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

For that long of a flight, I'd buy a seat, especially if it's free. DS will be older than that when we fly cross country. We're buying him a seat. He generally likes to be held, but I definitely want to be able to put him in his own seat for such a long flight.

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

SEAT
No doubt about it

Especially after the FAA regulation lesson--Thanks PORRUS!!!!!

6 hours holding a 7 month old in coach would not be fun IMO

Good thing you got the miles!!!!!!

Re: Flying with 7 month old - Lap or buy a seat? *edited

I dont know what your munchkin is like right now, but mine wont sit still for anything. All he wants is to stand up and reach for things. It is tiring right now holding him for 15 minutes so I couldnt even imagine it for 6 hours.

P.S. i flew once with my GF down to florida with her 7 month old and while she was "good" it would have been nice to stretch out if you know what I mean