Understanding Air Travel Regulations

This question comes up quite a bit. While you are not required to purchase a seat for your baby, would you even consider not putting them in a safety seat in a car? Probably not. Why would you even consider it on a plane?
The following is a link to a video by National Geographic showing the REAL risk to compromising your child's safety by "lap sitting" them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC4Q3ofz7SI
Also I offer you the following quote:
"While car seats aren't required for young children, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends buckling kids into child restraint systems or a car seat. Those parents who can afford to buy their children separate seats may find their babies or toddlers are more comfortable and likely to sleep in car seats than on their laps."
Translation: It's not a law until enough children are dead or maimed.
Your child's safety is worth the price of a plane ticket.

Hi W.,
If you can afford it, do buy a ticket for your baby and let him ride safely in his carseat. You have gotten alot of awesome advice already. Unless you absolutely cannot afford to buy the extra ticket, please do. I remember watching 20/20 or some similar show ( like 12 yrs ago) that was specifically about this. While the chances of having a problem in flight are very low, it is still a real possibility. Babies become projectiles in a crash landing and would otherwise suffer little or no harm if they were safely strapped into their car seat. I don't mean to upset you with this but it was so vivid for me that I won't ever fly with my children unless I can afford a seat for all of us. Good luck, God Bless.

My husband and I were traveling with our son when he was 1 month old. Then when he was 4 months I flew to my parents for a few weeks. My advice is to have a sense of humor! This is how we/I did it:
Allow extra time to get through security. With all our stuff it took a little longer than normal. They do allow you to bring a small cooler bag with one icy and breast milk or formula. Just have it out of you bag to go through xray. We also had snacks for him but we had to buy water in the airport. No getting that through security.
When we checked in we were very nice to the gate agents. We also asked if there were any empty seats on the plane. We luck out and on 5 out of our 6 flights there were. The gate agents moved our seats to the back of the plane and we put his car seat in the middle between us.
I held our son on take off and landing. If you are breast feeding have your son latch on just as you are about to take off. His sucking helps keep his ears from hurting. I also brought my boppy pillow with me, it help so much with positioning him.
We took our stroller which also could hold the infant car seat. That way our hands were free and it was easier to push the stroller through the airport than carring him in our arms. You can check the Stroller and Car seat at the gate and it will be there aat you connection airport and the destination airport when you get off the plane.
We were allowed a diaper in addition to our carry on. I had enough diapers and wipes for two days, just in case there was a delay. Plus, 2 extra changes of clothes for him. There is a fold down shelf in the airplane bathrooms to change a diaper and most airports have a family changing room where you can change and feed him. But don't be shy about changing a diaper right at the gate before you get on the plane. Sometimes there wasn't enough time to get to the bathroom and back to gate before the plane was to load. We used the stroller as a screen, put the changing pad on the floor and now have a great story to tell our son when his first girl friend comes to dinner.
Most times the gate agents will do what they can to get you an extra seat, but don't always count on it. They also tend to let you board right after first class so you can get settled. If you are nice to the flight attendants and gate agents they will help you in any way they can. Our travel experience was great, I hope yours is too!

W.,

The airlines automatically count a baby until 2 as a lap child. If you prefer to purchase a seat for him you will need to call up and speak to an ajent and book that way. You can check a car seat and stroller at the gate for no charge. As for a carrier if it makes it easier for you then take one but it's not required.
We flew with my at the time 7 month old daughter to Jamaica and we got lucky and had 3 seats on each plane so we did take her car seat on the plane with us. It made it super easy when she was sleeping and when I needed to feed her solids but with a 3 month old. Personally I would keep as a lap child.
I don't know if you are flying internationally or not but if you are you can call and request the bulk head seating with a bassinett for your son. This is a great thing. Domestic flights might not have this but you could check.
If you are bringing breat milk no problem just take it out of your carrier at security and tell the agents and well, for me they didn't even ask to see if.
My daughter did great. She nursed at take off for all flights then fell asleep. If you can book your flights around your sons sleep schedule it could help too. I would have milicone drops with you and tylenol as well. The milicone help with gas if the baby is awake for take off. Also burping them can help and of course drinking during take off and landing.
I can't think of anything else.
Good luck,
L. M

You will not need a carrier or a car seat, but my recomendation is to bring a car seat and if they have room they will let you bring it on. Usually when you travel with an infant they save the seat next to you unless the plane is full. They won't let you use the infant carrier on take off or landing, but I always did. It is because it isn't FAA approved or regulated, but as soon as the flight attendant sat down I would buckle my baby in. God forbid you had to get up quickly to get out of there I wanted to be able to act quickly. I just flew SW and took the car seat on the plane with me because the flight wasn't full. If you have any questions, let me know. I've flown over 5 times with my son who was under 1 and was only 2 months when we went to barbados.

W.,

If you have a seat for him then absolutely bring on his carrier seat...it is much safer and more comfortable for him. If you don't, ask the flight attendants if there are any open spots and see if you can be put next to it. Those are your ideal scenarios. If not, then you have to have him in your lap. There are special harnesses (even at this age) that you can use to strap onto your seat belt, so he does not fly out of your arms in case of extreme turbulance. Although sadly they are not approved for take off or landing the plane. (I have used a blanket to cover my misdeed and it worked...made me feel better). This is generally a very easy age to travel with...so relax. The only thing that I always found a challenge is security. Remember you have to fold up all strollers and take your baby out of his car seat and put it all on the belt to go through the scanner. This is always my worst nightmare.

Good luck!! And have a safe trip!

H. Z. (SAHM 5, almost 4 and 15 month old boys)

Hi W.,

I travelled with my daughter when she was 8 months old and still in her infant car seat. I did buy her a seat on the plane as it was a two part international trip. We are getting ready to make the same trip again, now that she is 15 months old. I know it's expensive to buy a seat for the baby on the plane, but well worth it. If you buy a seat on the plane you can keep your son in his infant car seat - you just put the seat belt through the base of your car seat. And you can keep your stroller with you until you physically get on the plane at which time they will put it in the hold for you and have it ready when you reach your destination. Hope this helps.

Not sure if anyone's suggested it yet (no time to read replies today!) but see if you can get in the first row of seats in your section. There's usually enough room there on the floor to put the car seat which will make for a much more comfortable ride for both of you!

Also, check your bra for extra metal -- nursing bras may signal the security alarms!

On your lap is fine, just call the airline in advance because they have to designate "infant in arms" on your boarding pass. You don't need a carrier, though it might be nice to bring if you can sit with one. Also, the carseat option is great, if there are available seats on the plane. Good luck.

Hi W.-
Traveling with a 3 month old will be so easy you will be surprised. You can just put him on your lap. We have a baby bijorn and would carry her with that. The great thing about a carrier is that you can just go through security with it on even if he is a sleep. if you leave him in the car seat you have to take him out and carry him. We would travel with the car seat and the stroller and at the gate check it. Make sure you ask for a gate claim check right when you get to the gate so you can tag your stroller and leave it at the end of the walkway. The only thing is during take off and landing you can't have your baby in a carrier. You have to hold him. Also his ears should not bother him at all at this age I think I read somewhere around 6 months but I always have her nursing or sucking on a bottle during take off and landing to make sure. I think the noise of the plane is also soothing on them becasue she has always slept through each flight. We have travled alot and I am surprised at how easy it was on the baby just stressful on me with the planning! GOOD LUCK

I just traveled with my 9 month old (and nearly 4 year old) and it wasn't bad. I'm sure you got great advice so I am probably repeating myself, but hold him on your lap and come prepared to feed him. Also, you can bring your stroller in the airport with you and you can check it at the gate. That makes traveling so much easier.

good luck

The best thing is to check with the airline.
I travelled a fair bit with my daughter from 4 months on (she's now three), sometimes trips without my husband.
Try to get a seat near the front where you can get a bassinet. I don't know how far you're going, but if you are flying across the continent, as I have done, it really helps to rest your arms.
All you do is hold the baby in your arms. YOu don't put a seatbelt on him. HOnestly, it feels very insecure, but it is apparently better than anything else.
You can use a car seat, but you have to pay for the extra seat!--I have used one once when the plane was so empty that they just let me.
I would not get an aisle seat, as when the trolleys go by, your baby's head can be whacked, and you want to be able to change positions, esp. if you're nursing--whcih si great for take off and landing.(I never once got a dirty look for this, btw)
Make sure to bring toys and books, and have them out and ready before the plane takes off, b/c it's really hard to dig in a diaper bag while having a baby in your arms if you're alone. Also, have the wipes and diaper and extra clothes ready in a smaller bag for the same reason.
YOu don't have to check in the stroller at the front desk--you can check it in at the gate, and this makes everything easier.
Finally, ingratiate yourself shamelessly with the staff and seatmates.
Good luck! I have generally had a decent time, but it is exhausting regardless.
E.

I believe the airlines follow basic rules, and it has to do with pricing. When my son and his family flew up here from Florida, they were allowed to hold their children on their laps for no additional cost. If you have a carrier or car seat, you have to pay for an additional seat. Your best bet would be to check with the airline you are flying and verify their policies. I can't remember the airline they flew, but that airline had the policy of Kids under 2 could be held on laps without additional cost. Over age 2, they had to buy a ticket. It depends on how long your flight is, if you want to hold the child for the entire trip. Bring a stroller with you anyway for when you de-board the plane. the attendants will store it for you. hope this helps.
good luck.

You can absolutely take him on your lap. If you take him in a carseat, you have to buy him a seat, AND the seat has to meet FAA regulations.
You can take your carseat (if you will need it at your destination, for example.) Rather than check it with your luggage, I would check it at the gate. You will have to carry it around longer, but you will have it to put your son down at the airport gate, AND the carseat is less likely to get beat up. Serious damage has been done to carseats and strollers while checked with an airline, and it's less likely to happen if you check it at the gate.
Also, if you have a carrier, it could be helpful to have during the flight. It means you can have your hands free and enjoy your soda and pretzels during the flight ;)

yes, you can have him on your lap, do not take a carseat unless you are paying for a seat for him. You can gate check the seat if it's part of your stroller or you want it for in between flights. Otherwise, check it as luggage and it will be waiting for you when you get there. If you did pay for a seat and want to take a carseat on the plane, you have to have a window seat for the carseat,it's a fire regulation. My kids always loved flying b/c I could hold them the whole time and they weren't tied down as they are in the carseat. I always nursed on take off and landing to help their ears and it was easy for the most part.
enjoy it.

W.,
Welcome to the world of baby traveling! I started flying alone with our daughter at 8 weeks old and my husband and I have flown with her several times in the past year. Get ready for a long day, but a wonderful learning experience.
My advice to you is to buy your son his own seat next to yours if you can afford it and if it is a long flight. But I know we rarely have due to money, so yes he can sit on your lap for free. When you buy your ticket you will have to say "with an infant" on-line and put his name so they have a record of him. Or tell your ticket agent on the phone. If you do buy his own seat you must have his carseat for him and he can only sit at the window on most planes, so definitely tell the agent.

Regardless of your seat, here are my suggestions for a smoother day (especially going solo):

1) Bring your favorite stroller. If you have delays or stops, your son will spend the entire time in the stroller to give your lap a rest. Also, your only chance to go to the bathroom without holding him is in the airport!!! You will get a tag at the gate and wheel it all the way to the airplane door before you fold it up and leave it there. It will be waiting for you at your next stop.

2) Pack your diaper bag and bring a backpack full of necessities and extras. It will free your hands, which is important. Forget extra bags, stuff for you--that is in the past. :-) Bring extras in the backpack in case your flights are delayed. (I spent five hours in the Chicago airport once...) Keep your backpack at your feet on the plane to make it easy.

3) Are you nursing? Bring your favorite nursing cover or wear your favorite nursing shirt. They sell really good ones. If you are bottle feeding, bring just the powder and buy water at your gate. Most airlines won't allow any liquids through security. (Enfamil sells great travel packs of powder, too.)

4) Nurse/bottle feed during take-off and landing (if awake). It soothes their ears.

5) Going through security...if you are solo, this will drive you crazy! You must fold your stroller up to go through the x-ray machine (they all fit), as well as send all your backpack and coats through--all while holding you baby and taking off your shoes and your baby's shoes. Wear slip on shoes!!! Most security people will offer to help you, but it is still madness. (Another reason to have one backpack!)
Also-- if you are bringing any baby food, you must claim it. Pack all medicines and liquids in your suitcase.

6) At three months, you son may have a favorite type of blanket or toy. If you know of anything he might like additonally, you may want to add it to your backpack and surprise him with it on the plane when he begins to get fussy.

7) Most planes have NO changing tables. Crazy, right? Bring a pad, flip down the toilet seat, and change him on there in the tiny bathroom. This is something you should get a medal for when you're done!

8) If you are holing a baby, simple things like eating and drinking are difficult. Try to eat at the airport during stops or before boarding while they are in the stroller (and do a last minute diaper change). Do not skip any meals that day. You will need all your strength and energy for your trip. Do bring a snack in your bag and extra money just in case you are delayed.

9) Forget about schedules that day. Feed your baby whenever and let him sleep whenever. If he eats or sleeps not enough or too much, it will be fine.

10) Real important: You must drag your carseat through the airport if he is sitting in his own seat. (Travel system strollers make this easy). If you don't have a travel system, just plop it on top of your stroller's lid as you wheel through the airport. If he is lap sitting, put your car seat in a plastic bag and check it as luggage. You will need it at your destination! I know some car rental places rent car seats but I have heard of bad stories (broken, damaged, dirty, out of date), so I recommend bringing your own.

11) Keep in mind most airlines now charge for luggage. You may have to share a suitcase with your child or pay money. Check with your airline.

12) Most of all, relax and try and enjoy these moments, as crazy as they may be. If your baby cries, oh well. Let people look and help if they offer. If you have plenty of time at the airport, lay out a blanket on the floor and let your baby stretch out. You both will need the break. If you have the room, bring your camera and capture your baby's first trip!

We will be traveling for the holidays, too. Good luck and let me know if I missed your questions! D.

Hi W.,
Since you're traveling during the Christmas season, it's likely that the flight will be full. Unless those that you're visiting will have a car seat available for your son, you definitely will need to bring your car seat but I recommend checking it. They are heavy and cumbersome and you often have to take the baby out of the carrier or stroller to get through security. I've traveled with all of my children while they were still lap children and it's a lot easier to board and de-plane if you're not lugging the car seat with you. All of my children traveled well on mine or my husband's lap. I'd also recommend having something for the baby to suck on during take off and landing to alleviate the pressure on his ears. I found that a bottle or nursing worked best for me. Good luck!

W.! I have flown several times with my daughter (she's 9 months now). The longest flight we did was from Boston to Phoenix and back (by ourselves! with layover both ways!).

You can absolutely take your son on your lap free of charge (for all domestic flights). It doesn't always let you pick that option online, so after you buy your ticket, if you couldn't designate that you have a "lap-child", call them and tell them.

Oh, make sure you have a copy of your son's birth certificate with you if you don't buy a seat for him. Sometimes they want it, sometimes they never ask.

So, here's some rules/advice:

Which airline are you flying? I found Southwest to be the "friendliest" policy-wise for babies. I've also flown American, and they were very nice (and even let me board early even though the policies DO NOT include early family boarding anymore). Southwest was just "easier" imo, b/c if there was an extra seat, I got one. No finageling to get seats moved around. Even though there were a couple free seats on my flight from Phoenix to Boston (on American), I wasn't able to get myself an extra seat for my daughter. With assigned seating, they just didn't want to move people around.

I would call ahead of time and see how full the flight is. On SW, if there was an open seat available, I was able to take the carseat with me and use it. Otherwise, you can check it at the gate.

Food/liquids: You're actually allowed to bring pretty much whatever you need for your son with you at this point. If you are FF, you do NOT have to bring the powder and buy water at the other end anymore if you don't want to. You can even bring pumped BM if you want to do it that way. Here's a link to the regulations:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

I nurse my baby, and I ALWAYS made sure she was nursing on take-off and landing. She did pretty well.

And, I highly recommend a carrier/sling if you're comfortable with them. On my last flight, I was unable to bring the carseat for her, and so she sat on my lap the entire time. I ended up having to RUN to my connection, and they MISPLACED my gate-checked carseat (They found it 4 days later!!!!!), and my stroller was just a shell w/o it, so I was so thankful I had my mei tai. Well, I didn't have time to take her out before I boarded my second plane, and I sat down with her still in the carrier. Then I just went ahead and had her nurse during take-off with her still in it, planning to take her out after take-off. Well, she ended up falling asleep and took a good long nap that way! And my hands were free, I even got a nap! Who-hoo!

Anyway, to summarize, per REGULATIONS:

1) He can fly as a lap child (for free domestically, there is a fee internationally) until he's 2
2) Check the link for food/drink, but pretty much everything is fair game
3) You get an extra carry-on for him (so, the diaper bag) if you can carry that much!
4) Bring a stroller AND carrier -- you'll want all your options
5) Bring a copy of the birth certificate
6) make sure they know ahead of time that you're taking a lap child
7) Depending on the airline, you may get to bring the infant seat with you and use it if there's space on the plane

After reading others' responses, I guess we just took our chances and were lucky, though we realized our babies would be projectiles if, heaven forbid, there were an accident. Next time I think I would try to use the car seat, I guess, but it is very busy around the holidays so I don't know if you would be able to have an extra seat. We flew with our twins when they were 2 months old because we moved out of state and the best thing we brought was a boppy for each baby. If you use a boppy, the baby can be comfortably on your lap and you have your hands free. Babies sit on your lap for free. We flew on JetBlue and they have a good changing table in the bathroom too. If you bring the baby in a car seat/stroller, you can check it on the gateway. You will have to take the baby out of the car seat to go through security, though.

Hope this helps!

A.

Did you buy him his own ticket? If so yes, you should put him in his carseat in the seat next to you. Otherwise he has to stay on your lap. If you luck out and there is an extra seat on the flight then you can put him in it (depends on what airline and if you have assigned seats though). You can bring the carseat/stroller to the gate and have them check it for you there. That way if there is an extra seat they can tell you when you check in and you will have the carseat with you just in case.

Under 1 is free. You can keep him on your lap. Sometimes if the plane isn't full you can request to be put next to an empty seat and they won't charge you. If you request a seat ahead of time, you'll have to pay for it. As far as the seat goes, you can use it if you want. It's not required. You can also check in your seat to use whereever you're going. You can also bring a stroller right up to the plane and they'll have it for you when you get off. It's pretty convenient

Hi
I have 2 kids (3 and 1 year old) and I have traveled a lot with them. So here is my experience:

If it's a domestic flight you don't have to pay for the infant (up to 2 years). If it's international you will pay 10% of the ticket plus taxes and insurance. If you don't buy a child ticket for the infant, you travel with him on your lap unless there are extra seats available. If that’s the case, they let you bring the car seat and use an extra seat for him, even if you did not pay for a ticket for him. Off course it's always more comfortable if he is on his own seat on an infant carrier (infant car seat). If they were on the car seat, my babies slept in a plane as well as they would on a car. Most of the time the flight attendants try to help you. Some times when you make the reservation or at check in they block the seat next to you until the last minute, if they need to give it away, they will but at least it would be one of the last seats they assign. If you want to guarantee a seat for your infant you’ll have to pay for a ticket for him.

Other recommendations: Feed him on take off/landing times so the change of the cabin pressure won’t bother his ears (a pacifier might do the trick as well). Off course always bring extra clothes, diapers, wipes and milk.

Good luck!

We have flown many, may times with my two. (3 yrs, 1 yr). You can put your 3mo old on your lap if you don't want to pay for an extra seat OR if you don't mind paying you can strap your little one in their car seat in a seat. You will want to bring your car seat so you have it at your destination and the car seat is concidered a "free" piece of luggage so you don't have to pay to check it.

To carry your little one through the airport you can bring your stroller and "gate check" it when you get on the plane. YOu will be allowed to enter the plane first to get yourself and your little one situated.

YOu will also want to bring an empty bottle and buy some water in the airport to feed to the baby as the plane takes off and lands to prevent your little one's ears from hurting.

The most pain in the neck thing is getting through security. You still need to remove your shoes, jackets, belts etc. You will also need to remove baby's (crazy huh?)shoes, jacket belts etc and walk baby through the detector. On top of all this you have to break down the stroller and put it up on the conveyer belt. THEN on the other side you have to put everythng back on.. get your little one in the stroller... UGH. If you are going by yourself you can ask someone at the ticket counter to give you an extra "no fly" ticket so they are allowed to go through security with you and help juggle all this. If they don't get the "no fly" ticket they can't help you through security.

My husband and I took our son when he was two months old on the plane. We called the airline to see if they had a separate policy. We told them we did not have a birth certificate for him and asked if we needed one. They said no. We made it out of Manchester fine, she said the baby was obviously under 1. Coming home from Baltimore was a treat. We received a tongue lashing and threatening words from the person checking us in that she might have to charge us for his ticket and make us prove to the airline later that the baby was under their age limit (bring a birth certificate to save this aggrivation).

You need to decide if you want to purchase the seat for the baby or not. We took a chance and did not buy the seat. We brought his car seat with us, if the plane is not full (and you don't purchase a seat) most airlines will let you bring it on board and strap the baby in. If there is no space, you can have the baby sit on your lap and they will put the car seat in the luggage area. We did not purchase a seat for our son and we were able to use his car seat on the way down, and we used the snuggli on the way back. They will make you take the baby out of the snuggli on take off and landings (scary thought, I would have figured it would be safer to have them strapped to something).

I also recommend bring your carriage. We did not. My husband's brother said we could use his when we made it to Maryland. It would have been a whole lot easier to have it walking through the airport. This is also an item that you can bring with you to board the plane and the grounds crew will store it and bring it back to you when you land.

Sound advice from everyone so far.

Your best bet is to check with the particular airline you're flying for their specific rules.

Infant seats are not generally FAA approved (read the sticker on the side of the seat) but many of the toddler seats are and if you've got one for future use for your little one, you can use that one (most are approved for 5-40+ pounds).

I'll be flying in January myself with our three little ones -
what's the word these days on what you can bring for babies food and formula wise? The last time I flew was around 9/11 and the rules have very much changed since then.