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

If he flies free, I'd get a seat. We flew to FL for the first time when DS was 6 months on Southwest. Did not buy a seat but planned on gate checking the carseat so if the flight was not sold out, he'd get his own seat. Luckily he had his own seat both ways. The flight on the way out was delayed two hours, for which we sat on the plane until we were moved to a new plane for another two hour flight so essentially, DS endured a "six hour flight". Having a separate seat for him in the carseat was quite nice for feeding and napping (for DH and I too!).

So, if he's free, I'd do it.

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

we took DD to Europe (10plus hours!) and she was fine on our laps....but we sat in front at the bulk head and had a bassinet fastened to the wall....

save the miles!

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

If you don't mind using your points I would get a seat. WE flew with DS from LI- TX when he was 8 months and didn't get him a seat. It was ok but he didn't sleep much because he wasn't comfy sleeping on our laps really. We flew to Chicago when DS was 9 1/2 months old and got DS a seat and slept for a while because he was more comfy.

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

Id get a seat.

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

we flew with ds when he was 4 months as a lap child. we had connections both ways (bad idea!) so if it is a direct flight i think you'll be fine. will you still be nursing? because this is what saved me, i nursed him the whole time.

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

if he can fly for free, i'd do it. at that age, allison wasn't incredibly mobile, but for such a long flight, i'd want to put her in her car seat to catch a snooze. hth!

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

We flew to Vegas when DD was 8 months and didn't buy a seat. It was fine.

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

Here's a little trick that worked for us: When choosing your seats, buy one on the aisle and one on the window. This way whomever gets seated in between you will see you have a baby and want to move. Believe me, they don't want to sit in the middle to begin with, add a baby and they are outta that row!

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

We have flown to Florida and California with dd on our laps. Both flights were fine. We are flying to italy with her on our lap, that one I'm a little nervous about BUT I figure I've done it to California whats a few more hours

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

I think you are in SD and I would say seat all the way. Whenever we have gone back to SD or even AZ we always bought seats. My kids are squirmy anyway - so the thought of 6 hours of squirming makes me want to faint now. It's well worth the ticket price.

There was one time that I had to take my younger one out of the seat (just under 2 at the time) and we started descending. He wouldn't let me put him back in the seat and it made me too freaking nervous. I of course think about the Hawaiian plane where the roof ripped off and everyone but one lived b/c they were seat belted. I also think about people that have been thrown on the ceiling during turbulence - so I always make my kids sit with their seat belts on.