Flying with 5 month old

We have to go to Florida at the end of July for DH's grandfather's 90th birthday party. We're going to fly and I want to get a separate seat for Sarah, DH thinks that since the airlines don't require it for children under 2 we can just hold her for the whole flight.

Besides the fact that she's squirmy and will get heavy after holding her for 3 hours straight, what if we hit a bad patch of turbulence? Do most people really just hold the baby the whole flight? Thanks!

Cathy

Re: Flying with 5 month old

I had Emma in her car esat when we went to FL when she was 20 months, she was squirmy then but I did it purely for safetys sake. She stayed strapped in the whole time, just like we were in a car.

Re: Flying with 5 month old

I flew 3x during Andrew's first year! The first time he was about 5 months old and it was an hour flight, so I lapped him. It was pretty easy and we had no problems. The other 2x, we flew to FL and I bought him a seat and brought his car seat on. Thankfully I did because he is all over the place and I needed to keep him in one place, strapped in.

Re: Flying with 5 month old

I just booked and got her a seat. I just feel so much better that way.

Re: Flying with 5 month old

I had to fly with my son for an emergency flight to NY from NC. My DH couldn't even come. My grandfather passed away. My son was only 4-5 months old. He sat on my lap and fell asleep for the whole trip. We also had a lay over and he slept most of the time. Just don't forget an umbrella stroller. I did, and boy did I regret it since I was the only one carrying everything.

Re: Flying with 5 month old

I took Nick to FL at 5 months - he sat on my lap and it was no problem. I also just flew with him at 9 months - same thing. I personally would not pay for a seat for him when I could just hold him. Good luck!

Re: Flying with 5 month old

My brother and SIL flew with their son many times from CA when he was a baby. They didn't buy a seat for him but if there were any open seats, the flight attendants would move them around so they could have a seat for him

It's kind of taking a chance b/c it depends on the flight attendants you get but they never had a problem (if there were open seats)

Re: Flying with 5 month old

I flew w/ Patrick at 3 months & 5 months both trips were to Ireland. And he slept on my lap most of the flights. Take a night flight this way you know she will be tired!

Re: Flying with 5 month old

They have these things where you can strap your baby to your seatbelt while she's on your lap.

Baby B'Air

Re: Flying with 5 month old

John will be taking his first flight to Vegas on 8/3 and I bought him a seat. Not only for safety sake but also so I could have a place to change him and so I wouldnt have to endure the eye rolling if some stranger was sitting next to us. I also bought him the baby B'air cause my son is a major fidgit in the car seat

Re: Flying with 5 month old

Wow, Vegas! Hope he wins big at Circus Circus!

Is Circus Circus even still there? My brother and I used to love going there when we were kids.

Re: Flying with 5 month old

We moved home with from Ireland with our 8 week old and we bought a seat for him. I couldn't hold him for the 7 hour flight. It was the best decision we made. I wouldn't fly without him having his own seat. He slept 80% of the flight and DH and I were able to relax. The only thing you need is your car seat.