Flying with 8 Mo Old

I flew with my daughter to Florida around the same age. It is way easier to have the umbrella stroller with you and gate check that. You will be fine to check the car seat if you take it--just make sure you give yourself plenty of time at check in so it goes with you on the flight (I recently had an experience in which I didn't get bags until the next day---wouldn't want that with a car seat!!) The airline usually has those huge bags that they put the seat in so it doesn't get all dirty. I did rent a car seat the last time we went away and it was totally fine. The seat was actually the same one we have in my in laws car as the "extra" --it was good quality, clean, etc.....Don't know if it is necessarily worth the $40 to rent however, since checking it in with the rest of your stuff is pretty easy. You will have to install the rental seat yourself when you get there if you do rent b/c the car rental place doesn't do that for you...Just another quick advice on flying, make sure your son is sucking on something on take off and landing to help with the ear pressure. If he's sleeping, don't wake him, but if not, the sucking motion really seems to help alot :) Good luck, and have fun!

I have flown 30 plus times with my 2.5 year old and 13 month old......rent the seat... nurse or bottle feed during take off and landing...bring snacks and enough wipes in case of delays...good luck G.

Hi D. when my son was 5 months old we flew to S.Carolina he sat with us on our laps and slept the whole way there and back. We checked the car seat and decided to bring the travel system stroller. If he is still in the travel system stoller with the car seat attached and that could work to lessen the load I say bring the seat. Either way Good Luck and have a great trip.

I think the trip to the airport is more dangerous then the flight! I have personally never heard of a child dying due to turbulence. Anyway, I have flown lots and lots with babies, toddlers and older ones and I recommend on the lap flying. I wore a sling and the baby feels secure and on take off and landing this way and easy to carry in the airport as well. I never used a stroller...just one more thing to carry.
Definitely take a few changes of clothes and a shirt for you as well. I had one throw up on me! New toys work well. It is a fairly short flight to Florida, so you should be all set. Above the potty on the plane, there is a pull down shelf and should fit your 8mo old for changing. I never liked to do it in public! Have Fun, Relax and smile!

Did you buy a seat for your son? If so, I would just bring the carseat on the plane with you. It makes it much more comfortable for the kids to travel and easier for them to sleep too (not to mention it's safer). We're traveling this summer with my 15 month old and we ended up buying him a seat and plan on taking the car seat on the plane with us (I believe most car seats are also approved for airplanes...not the booster seats though). The last time we flew with our oldest child, we did check her booster seat and they lost it. Luckily the one that we'd brought on the plane was from my mother in law's car, so it was sort of an extra... (We did get it back a few days later)

It's not safe to fly with a lap baby, period. You are risking your baby's safety and life. Babies are injured and killed in minor turbulence because they are not strapped down in an appropriate car seat. Never, ever, ever bring a lap baby. ALL CHILDREN under 4 years and 40 pounds should be an approved child restraint on an aircraft.

As for renting seats, it's terribly unsafe. The seats at rental agencies are often expired, damaged, missing key parts, filthy, or inappropriate for the size and age of the child.

Seats should not be checked, either. They can be treated very roughly and may not be crash worthy when you finally get it back.

The ONLY safe option for air travel is to buy a seat for your child, bring the child's OWN safety restraint, and USE the safety restraint on the flight.

Hi D.,
My kids are 3 and 6 now but have been seasoned fliers since they were infants. I have always had them on my lap in flight and it has been fine. Gate checking an umbrella stroller is the way to go. It fits easily through the xray machine so you don't get pulled aside while they frisk the larger stroller.
I have always brought along my car seat and checked it in baggage. My bags have been lost MANY times over the years but somehow the car seats always made it. Just remeber to pack what you'll need for at least one day in your carry-on
because that's about how long it takes before they find and return your luggage. I don't have a lot of faith in airlines anymore.
I preferred to bring my own seat because I didn't feel comfortable trusting someone else to do it safely. It would probably be easier to rent but i just feel better doing it myself with what I'm familiar with.
Traveling tips...have something for the baby to suck on during take off and landing. A lot of airlines let parents with children board first. As long as you have a seat assigned to you I'd wait and get on last, minimizing how long you have to be confined. If you feel like you have to get on to secure a place for your carry-on send your husband first. There's no point rushing to get on and be in that stuffy air longer than you have to.

Good Luck

I asked my pediatrician about flying with an infant because we are going to fly with my son in July (he'll be 10 months old). She was emphatic in her insistance that we buy him a seat due to the dangers of not doing so--and mentioned that injuries during turbulance for lap babies are common.

I look at it this way--is it worth saving a few bucks at the risk of my son becoming a baby missile in the wrong situation? I don't think that it is, although, you will have to make this decision for yourself. I tend to be a person who tries to mitigate even the smallest risk--not everyone is such a worrier.

If you buy a seat, you can have your seat on the plane. If not? Try bringing it as a carry on--if there is an extra seat, then at least you can use it--and you don't have to worry about airline damage!

I'd add that you might want to rent a full size stroller when in FL. Many consignment shops in FL also do rentals. It's nice to be able to take long walks and have the baby be able to lie down to sleep and be protected from the sun too. Umbrella stroller may be a bit limited for a two week trip.

I've taken my own car seat and checked it with luggage. Buy a bag for it to protect it if you do that route.

We traveled with our 10 mo old daughter and took our car seat (I didn't know you could rent them). I felt safer knowing she was in a safe seat though. We didn't buy her a seat, and I used a Baby Hawk carrier that was invaluable. She was fussy and sometimes wouldn't calm down. She had also just started walking and wanted to be mobile on the plane. So the carrier helped to keep her quiet when it was naptime (it was a 5 hr flight). As for the stroller, definitely take the lightweight one. We borrowed a collapsable Combi stroller that worked out perfectly.

Good luck and enjoy the nice weather!

Just wanted to add in, since there's already good advice posted. We traveled to Mexico with our 7 month old, and had to take the car seat with us, since there weren't any available where we were going. We packaged the car seat in two heavy duty garbage bags and checked it through -- it did fine. They put the car seat on a different plane on the return trip, and we freaked out about what to do, since we had a 2 hour drive home from the airport. Be at ease, though, the airlines have car seats of all shapes and sizes for use when yours doesn't arrive with you. They gave us one to use and delivered the car seat just as they would delayed luggage. Other pointers: definitely use the umbrella stroller in the airport, try to nurse or give a bottle on take-off and landing, and try to pack a bag of things that are new or novel for your little guy to play with on the trip. Another thought: Is there anyone from whom you could borrow a car seat while there?

Hi D.,

I recently traveled with my 3-month old son to Florida (alone). I highly recommend you gate-check the snap & go as well as his car seat (he will recognize it while he's driving around in the rental) for the trip. Also, it's really no big deal toput the seat & snap & go through security. I think you'll be surprised how nice security is when they see you're traveling with a little one. While the umbrella stroller may be a little more compact, in the end I think you'll be glad you have his car seat with you.

Good luck,
R.

I have flown many times with my two children starting when they were 3 months old. I always brought my child's car seat on the plane because he knew the seat and understood he was to stay in it during the flight. I would feel more comfortable using my own car seat in a rental car for the same reason and you do not know how old the car seat you will be getting is and if it has been in an accident. The more items you can keep familiar for your child the better when traveling. Purchase a new toy for the plane ride to keep your child's attention. Bring snacks and a drink for your child and a change of clothes in your carry on bag.

We check it along with a sturdy stroller.

we have taken our kids quite a bit with us to travel. i just recently took my 4 year old to hawaii, and i have NEVER had any problems with checking the seats in with bags. im always nervous too, cause you just never know when something could get lost, and seats are expensive, but i have definately never had a problem. plus, with renting one, chances are they are pretty dirty and germy. it kinda grosses me out. good luck!

HI. We have done both, brought ours and rented. It is easier to rent(baby items get heavy in the airport-at the gate and getting onto to a waiting plane) as long as they have what you are used to and that you can install properly-It can be stressful to install the rented seat in the parking lot trying to get out of there. Practice a car seat installation before you go and make sure you know what to do. I know the car rental places won't install for you.
If you are a germ freak, you will probally want to bring your own. The car rental places do not clean them after each use, but they can be wiped with some lysol/clorax wipes.
Also, check with the airline now about what you can check for weight. I know with fuel prices up they are charging extra for totals over certain weights.
Depending on the situation, I normally don't get on the plane first (they call all families up front).. we wait to the very end b/c the sooner you get on the plane, the longer you sit on the plane. Happy flying and start looking for a portable DVD player for your next travels.

it might be a pain to check in luggage but i would and i would bring my own car seat
depending on how often you travel to florida i would check into buying a carseat for when you visit if you get a convertable one you'll have it for a long time and it would be worth the investmat
have a good vacation

Is your MIL picking you up at the airport? If so, I would just buy an affordable convertible car seat and ship it to her house, then it can be in the car when she picks you up. It won't cost much more than renting a car seat and that way there will be one there for future visits. As for traveling with an infant, my big advice is give him something to eat/drink at takeoff and landing. Hope you have a good trip!

I also traveled with my child at 7 months old and I did check in my car seat and brought it with me. I was too afraid that if I rented one it wouldn't be in good shape, or maybe the dealership didn't watch the recalls as much as I would. It's all a matter of preference, but if you have the availability to bring your own car seat, I would suggest it.

We've been to Florida several times with both of my daughters at all ages. I always bring my own car seats. I've seen the condition of their car seats at the car rentals and they're disgusting. I am always afraid of the kids getting sick from them. I ask the airline to wrap the chair in plastic when they ship. Most of them have huge plastic bags that they wrap the seat in for shipment and I never get the seat back with tears in the bag which means to me that it's at least being handled with care.
Lots of toys and snacks to keep the baby busy. Or I usually try to chose a flight that is around nap time so that hopefully they will sleep. Also, bring something to drink on the plane for the baby and when you feel your ears popping make the baby drink something. The swallowing effect will alleviate the popping for the baby.

D.

I'm sure you've seen all the posts online about the dangers involved in keeping in infant on your lap. When my son (now 7) was about that age, there was a scary story about that, so I got him his own seat.

Unlike what that mom said in her previous response, at least two children have been killed while being held on laps during turbulence.

I would take the seat and bring it on the plane just in case there is an extra seat for him, you never know if it's going to be a turblent flight. Here's some good advice that was online that I found regarding that:

-- Most U.S. airlines allow a car seat to be used for a child, without requiring a plane-seat purchase, if there's space aboard the plane. So travel at off-peak times for the best chance of snagging an empty seat. If the plane is full, the seat can be stowed as carry-on luggage. (Ask the airline about its car-seat rules.)

-- If two adults are traveling with a child under 2, try to book the window and aisle seats in a three-seat row and hope that the middle seat will stay empty so you can put the baby's car seat there.

-- Ask the airline if there's a discount for buying a seat for an infant so you can use a car seat. Southwest Airlines already offers such a fare for children under 2 to encourage use of car seats; others are considering it.

Whether you ave him as a lap baby or purchase the seat is very dependent on how active a child your little guy is. Mine is a fur-free energizer bunny and I've flown with him as a lap baby twice and both times I felt like I had just engaged in 3 hours of hand to hand combat. If you're going to purchase the seat, it at least gives you the option of securing him in safely, even if he spends most of the time out of it.
If you decide to take him as a lap baby, since you have family on the other end, there is a fairly inexpensive carseat available at Walmart (Cosco Scenera - usually around $40) that they can pick up and install in their car before they meet you at the airport. That way you don't have to worry about the rental grundge, baggage damage, gate checks, etc... Just a thought. I did this last time and took my umbrolla through the airport. Worked pretty well.

I would take your own car seat.My husband and I took our (then) 2 month old daughter to Mexico this past October. I gate checked our car seat/snap and go stroller because I didn't want to risk the airline losing it when we switched planes. If you're not switching, I would definitely just put it through with your baggage. As far as holding him, my husband held our daughter in our Baby Bjorn. He had to take her out during take off and landing, but we felt better knowing she was strapped in for the most part.

I know it's usually a money thing, but if you can, get your son his own seat on the plane. It makes it easier for everyone. He will be more comfortable because he will be sitting in his own car seat, and you and your husband will be more comfortable because you won't be passing him back and forth. I have always bought seats for my kids when flying. It is so worth the money for your sanity.

If you still choose to hold him on your lap, check your car seat. I have always preferred to have my own car seat then worry about the condition of one I might rent. I know where mine has been and who has been sitting in it, whereas you don't know who has been in the rental. I do like the idea of buying a convertible car seat and shipping it to your MIL, if she is picking you up. If not, take your own.

Fly safely.

I have always held my kids until I was required to buy a seat. Kid #4 is 1 year and has flown twice already. I check the car seat but put it in a padded bag of some sort or wrap it in something first because I have had one crack in transit, and then its no good. They will let you use a seat if the plane is not full. Hope this helps, just relax and plan a great time.

D.,
I'm about to have our first child any day now and we have to fly to SC Memorial Day weekend for my cousin's wedding. So I've been concerned about the same issues as well. I've talked to friends who have flown with children and they've given me some good advice. They mentioned carrying on the car seat because it can sometimes get damaged if you check it. I would tend to agree since my suitecases are now looking ratty from being nocked around from flying so many times. Plus then you know it's going to get there and won't be lost.

I noticed someone mentioned they usually let people with children on the plane first. I've flown a couple of times recently and remember noting they aren't neccessarily doing this anymore. I'm not sure why. But I think the person that mentioned this had a good point; if you are concerned about space on the plane for your things, let your husband get on first and then you get on towards the end so you aren't confined with your baby for too long. Planes can be crowded and the less you feel confined I think you will be better off.

Let us know how it turns out and good luck!

Hi, we have flown many times with our daughter who is now 2. When she was 7 months we flew overseas and she was on our laps, it was fine. That airline had a separate belt that went over the adult belt specifically for an infant in a lap. Ask a flight attendant if they have one, not all airlines do. I personally feel safer with her in my lap than not, and now that she is two, they require her to have her own seat which she is almost only in for take-off and landing.
As for renting a seat, we went through the same dilemma for that international flight. the last thing I wanted to do was lug that seat with us, but in the end we did and have ever since but we check it (this way you dont have to deal with it through security). The rental agencies are required to have safe seats, so I disagree with the earlier post about un safe or out of date seats. What we found was that not all agencies had them available, and in the end I decided not to risk not having a seat there when we landed. So many times they havent had the car we reserved! ANyway, now we check her seat as a piece of her luggage, if your car seat doesn't have a carry bag, the airlines have clear plastic bags to put them in, sometimes you have to pay for them sometimes not. We just went to florida at the beginning of the month and flew delta, they charged 3 dollars for a bag for the car seat. Incidentally Ive never had any damage done to anything gate checked except for this past flight on delta. They broke our gate checked umbrella stroller. My husband was waiting for it after we landed back in Boston and he saw someone literally throw it on to the ground then again throw it up to the gate. Anyway they paid for a replacement but only because they neglected to have us sign the waiver when we gate checked in Fort Lauderdale. This was their error since I have signed the slip countless times and never knew it was a damage waiver. I only mention this because while we have flown many times without any damage occurring, had it happened on the first leg of the trip it would have been awful having a useless stroller on holiday. the guy at the luggage claim said that so many people just buy throw away 10$ umbrella strollers because they get damaged all the time. guess we had gotten lucky for a long time!
I was so nervous that first flight and honestly it was a lot easier than i expected. Make sure the baby has easy to take off or no shoes on since you have to send baby shoes through the xray too. Last summer on a flight we almost had to throw out her diaper cream because an over zealous checker insisted that it was a liquid and over the allowed amount. Just make sure you have what you need in small sizes and in the stupid ziploc bag. That same checker also made me dump her sippy cup, but another couple we were traveling with also had a toddler and she went threw with her sippy cup full, but they were in a different line. Going through security is the worst part, after that the flight will seem like a breeze! HAve a great trip and good luck!

Your post did not make it clear if you are being picked up or renting a car. If you are renting a car & you are thinking about renting a car seat with the car, make sure the car seat is guaranteed. A friend recently had a problem where the car seat was not guaranteed at the time of rental, but was only an option if available. Also, make sure that they offer a seat that will fit your child & not just booster seats. Personally, I have not had trouble checking the car seat in as regular baggage (I did put extra foam padding around it), but there is always a first time.

MY son went on his first airplane ride at 8 months as well. We also decided to hold him and we checked his car seat through regular baggage. I felt a little uncomfortable with renting one due to germs or even cleaning products that may be used to disinfect. The airport put a large clear plastic bag over his car seat and tied it off before sending it to be loaded onto the plane.

Dear D. S. I would take my own car seat, you know how your son fits in it and he is very comfortable. It may be a hassle but you know how clean it is, etc... Why have the added expense of renting one? It will be placed with baggage and is sealed in plastic when they take it. It is just my opinion to take his own carseat. Hope this helps

We went to FL with our 5 month old and brought her car seat because I felt more comfortable. We checked at the gate, but didn't bring the huge travel system--we used a snap and go instead. It worked out perfectly for us. On the flight home, there were extra seats so we brought the car seat on the flight with us, too.

I haven't read all of the responses, so it may have already been suggested to take your car seat and gate check it if there are no empty seats for you to use it for your son. We recently traveled with our 3 month old and on a couple of our flights there were available seats so we could use the car seat for our son. It's much safer than being held on a lap, and it was really nice not having to hold him the whole time. For us, it was worth lugging it around in case there was a seat available for him.

We just flew to FL with our 8 month old. It's an easy flight, no too long. We also used an umbrella stroller at the airport and checked it at the gate. We held our daughter, I breastfed her (discreetly) on the plane to keep her calm and then would hand her to Dad with the bigger lap! Everyone commented on how good she was. There are soooo many consignment shops in FL we ended up purchasing a car seat and that returning it when we told the store owner we were there on vacation. You'll have a great time!

A month earlier we flew to Thailand, a 17 hour non-stop flight, that was a bit more challenging!

My Husband and I took our 8 month old daughter to florida. We took our car seat to the gate. We did not purchase a seat for her, but there were extra seats on the plane so we were able to have her in her car seat. We tried the same thing on the way home but the plane was full so we had to gate check our car seat. I did have the whole travel system which was a pain at the security check. But it was the only stroller we had. If you do check you seat make sure it's padded so it doesn't get damaged. Bring on the plane snacks, diapers, wipes,a new toy, something that will keep him interested. I did breastfeed on the way up, to help with ear popping. But she was sleeping on the way down, and was no trouble at all. Have a safe and fun trip. Good luck.

Do NOT check your seat with your luggage...

Have you seen those guys throw around bags... there's no WAY I would want them doing that to my carseat... honestly - they can damage them as much as an accident can...

Second - get a seat for your child if at all possible. Installing an infant bucket on a plane is very easy.

And most babies are much happier in their seats where they are used to being vs. trying to get comfortable on your lap.

Here's a great page for info:

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/airplanetravel.aspx