anyone ever fly with an 18 month old on your lap?

I am sure I am crazy for even considering this, but my brother is most likely getting married in Brazil in December. The flight is very expensive, about $1500 a person give or take. Obviously this is a trip we HAVE to take and will be bringing DS with us. Money is tight this year since we are paying for daycare, I just took a big pay cut, and we had to do some unplanned work on the house as well. Would it be absolutely insane to consider having DS fly on my lap? I am pretty sure the answer is YES, lol. I just can't believe the thought of spending an extra 1500. Airfare alone for this "vacation" is going to be ridiculous. I have looked up flights and I would plan on trying to get one or 2 layovers to give DS some time to walk around. (I have found a few that layover in Miami, and some that don't layover till Brazil) The overall duration would probably be between 14 and 18 hours (give or take). We would plan to leave in the evening which would hopefully help.

ETA: DS also sleeps 12 hours a night, so I am HOPING he would sleep for the majority of the flight if we leave at night. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be very comfortable having him sleep on me for that long on a plane though.

Message edited 7/25/2011 12:39:47 PM.

Re: anyone ever fly with an 18 month old on your lap?

I personally wouldn't do it. My DD is 19 months and we flew with her last month... I would have gone crazy if she had been on my lap the entire time and that was only a flight to CA!

But, that being said, if you think you can deal with it and your DH will be there to help you or pass the baby back and forth, you can probably do it. Anything is possible and I'm sure others have done it before. I just need my personal space so I don't think I could do it.

Re: anyone ever fly with an 18 month old on your lap?

Yes, actually DS was 20 months old. It was a 4 hour flight and pricey so we got two seats... aisle and window and hoped for no one to be in the middle. worked on the way home, but not on the way there. We were fine. DS watched a movie, colored, had snacks, etc. Next year he'll get his own seat

Re: anyone ever fly with an 18 month old on your lap?

How long is the actual flight if you dont do a layover? around 12 hours right?

Honestly I would never be able to have him sit on my lap for more than 2 hours. We are only going to Florida and we bought a seat. DS is CRAZY and wont sit for 2 seconds and I KNOW he would fight me the whole time sitting on my lap. If I were you i would spend the extra $1500, i know its REALLY expensive, but for *ME* I would rather spend that then have him sit on my lap for 12 hours(i think thats how long is it) and FIGHT me, or be screaming to get down.

If you think he will def sleep on you i would pick a lfight around his bed time and HOPE he falls asleep for the 12 hours, i wouldnt do a layover unless it was a day flight.

Re: anyone ever fly with an 18 month old on your lap?

we flew to co when my son was 18 months and he was a lap child - it is doable - not super easy but possible


my son is a belly sleeper so we ended up making a bed at our feet and putting him down there to lay whent he plane was at elevation. it worked ofr us

but on the first flight we i had him sleep on me and that worked so so for us - and my little guy is not that little - just make sure you have the window seat

Re: anyone ever fly with an 18 month old on your lap?

I personally wouldn't, not only bc your DC will probably be uncomfortable but also bc of the safety issue. I feel children need to be strapped in in case God forbid something goes wrong on the flight.

We flew with my then 17 month old to FL and were so glad we bought him a seat. On the way there he napped beautifully in his car seat starting 10 minutes after take-off but on the way home he didn't and we were EXTRA glad to have paid for his seat bc he was strapped in and so couldn't get away. The flight was short and I thought it was difficult to keep him happy and in his seat, I can't imagine on a longer flight. And, DS is a pretty calm baby.

I know that for domestic flights children under 2 pay full fare but I was under the impression that for some international flights, children do get discounted rates. I would check with the airline.

Re: anyone ever fly with an 18 month old on your lap?

I would do it...I went to Fla when my DS was 21 mo and then again to Aruba (~5 hrs) and he sat on my or my DH's lap both times

AS long as you have a lot of things to keep him busy and if there is an empty seat, you can alway use that! I would never buy a seat at that price if I didnt have to..save your money! For that length they will prob want to be up a lot, sleep ing in your arms anyway!

I would also take the least amount of layovers as possible! Make the over all trip as short as possible...They can get up and walk to the bathroom if they need to get up and stretch!

Be prepared with new games, activities, potrtable DVDs etc!

Good luck! Have fun! It wont be easy, but you'll survive!

Message edited 7/25/2011 1:08:25 PM.