Traveling with an Infant..

DH and I are looking to go away over labor day.. DD will be about 8.5 months old.
I have a couple of questions for BTDT moms whp have traveled with infants...

Did you purchase a ticket or take the baby as a lap baby? Does that literally mean they stay on your lap the whole time not restrained.. during take off and landing too?

Also-- when do you think the best time to take the flight is.. during the time that your LO would normally sleep or be awake?

Thanks!!

Traveling with an Infant..

I have traveled with my DS but he was only 7 and 11 weeks. On the flight they give you a Seat belt for your child which attaches to your seat belt so he is safely harnesses in.
I think it depends on the child. It might be easier if it is nap time to fly. We flew internationally and I had a bassinet seat on the flight. Basically a box in the tray infront for the baby to lie in. Going it was an overnight flight and DS slept the whole way. Coming back was a day flight. He was awake most of the journey but was happy to lie in the bassinet looking around. (He was very alert for his age).

You will be fine. Enjoy.

Re: Traveling with an Infant..

We have traveled with a newborn and our infant DD. We did not purchase a ticket, rather kept them as lap babies. They do need to stay on your lap for the flight.

I always tried to have take off around her bottle time. Having the bottle helps relieve the pressure of take off.

Re: Traveling with an Infant..

I travelled multiple times with DS 1 as a lap child up until he was 17 mos.

I was never given a seat belt to attach to me - he just sat on my lap and I held him.

For take off and landing, it's good to have a bottle or pacifier handy - although your DC may not need one.

I find it's best to fly around naptime. The motion of the plane usually knocks my kids out.

Re: Traveling with an Infant..

Re: Traveling with an Infant..

I flew with DS at 10 months as a lap child. We had planned the flights to be around nap time, but then American went and changed our flight times anyway, so just be aware that all your planning can go out the window!

I did not get a seat belt either, maybe that's an international thing?

He was pretty squirmy, but lots of snacks and a plastic cup kept him mostly entertained.

Re: Traveling with an Infant..

thanks soo much everyone-- now to only get the days off from work =)

Re: Traveling with an Infant..

I flew with DS at 8 months old and he was a lap baby, no extra seatbelt on Southwest. I would try to plan the flight around naptime, but honestly all plans seem to fail on travel days so just remember to be flexible and they will be fine. DS took the paci so I made sure he had that in his mouth on takeoff and landing and he was fine. Bring some snacks, toys, and lots of patience, lol!

Traveling with an Infant..

We flew with DD as a lap infant at almost 6 and 10 months and she was fine. She slept most of the way on both flights.

They did not give us anything to attach to the seat belt (I believe we were on Delta both trips).

Re: Traveling with an Infant..

We just got back from Disney 2 days ago - DS is 11 mos. We planned the 2 fights around bottle then nap time. It [mostly] worked out. Bring lots of puffs and an ipad or something. DS wanted nothing to do with toys and was squirmy while awake, but manageable. Actually, people commented on how good he was. Thank Gd he never cried!

Re: Traveling with an Infant..

Maybe it is an international thing or maybe just aer lingus!!