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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to worry about the safety of air travel with a baby?

18 replies

LouLou78 · 29/05/2010 22:06

We are just thinking about holidays and DH is keen to go abroad. Im reluctant as there seems to be so much to worry about when going abroad with a baby and the Isle of Wight seems a lot easier (but probably a lot wetter!)

One of my big worries is the safety of air travel with a baby. I realise that air crashes are very rare and statistically its highly unlikely to happen but travelling with a baby sat on your lap doesn't seem like a hugely sensible thing to do. I appreciate that in the event of a proper crash most passengers wouldn't survive. But what about turbulance or runway overshoots etc surely the child is extremely vunerable? It doesn't seem to get mentioned much in the UK but I know other countries encourage the use of car seats on board but of course this means actually buying them a seat.

AIBU and worrying unnecessarily? Should I just get on and book the holiday and not worry about it?

OP posts:

PatriciaHolm · 29/05/2010 22:08

Your child is at more risk on the drive to the airport than they are on the plane! And that's in a proper car seat. Driving to the isle of Wight would be more dangerous than flying to Majorca

Rosieeo · 29/05/2010 22:14

Book the holiday, enjoy the sunshine and have a fantastic time. It's safer than the drive.

How old is your baby and how far are you going?

tiredfeet · 29/05/2010 22:18

I don't think you're being totally silly. I've been in some pretty bumpy landings and I have wondered about this too.

I know it is safer than going by car, but in terms of minor bumps at least the baby is protected by the car seat.

DH would probably tell me I'm being silly and persuade me to book the flights though, and in reality its highly likely to all be smooth and you would have a lovely holiday.

Although I do love the isle of wight so nothing wrong with going there

MarineIguana · 29/05/2010 22:26

If you're taking a baby on your lap they do give you a special seatbelt attachment that holds the baby to you.

I'm scared of flying but have done it with a baby. One plus is that people with small babies get preferential treatment, the best seats, usually a bulkhead, and first on and off.

faerie07 · 29/05/2010 22:26

Well your baby has a seatbelt to protect it from turbulence and bumps on takeoff/landing. That seatbelt is attached to your seat belt, so no danger of your baby being 'sqashed' by you or anything like that.

If you have a bassinet/cot that is buckled when they lie down, and if there is any turbulence you will be inundated with attendants asking you to put your baby on your lap and put your and their seat belt on.

Have travelled on some very turbulent flights and my DS was fine - was exhausted because I didn't get to sleep, but he was fine!

Original poster

LouLou78 · 29/05/2010 22:37

Rosieeo - He's currently 5 months but will be a while before we go. Nowhere too far, probably Spain or Portugal.

I will stop worrying and just go for it. Might even go to the IOW too if I can risk the ferry ride

I did find this article which didn't help my worries www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1210344/Revealed-The-deadly-risks-children-small-use-plane -safety-belts.html

but then it is the Daily mail and should not be read by those that worry. Plus I guess if I worry about everything I will never leave the house again!

OP posts:

EveWasFramed10 · 29/05/2010 22:47

Don't worry, OP...my oldest DCs first air flight was at 6 weeks, youngest DC at 8 weeks, and we've flown to America once a year since then (they are 3 and 2). Babies are fine...the worst thing about air travel with a baby is trying to keep him/her from being bored! Have a warm, sunny holiday...enjoy it!

Rosieeo · 29/05/2010 23:12

We did the same trip with ds at the same age. It was fine. Have a great time!

funkychunkymunky · 29/05/2010 23:36

I took my DD 6mo to France and back by myself I must have been mad to do it alone! Flying was fine though. She slept all the way there and back!

There are 1001 accidents that you could have - you can't live your life worrying about them!

Bunnyjo · 29/05/2010 23:43

Have travelled with DD to Cuba (7mth and 18mth), Mexico (12mth) and Cyprus (32mth). As other posters have said, if you do fly try not to worry - statistically it is very safe.

bubbleymummy · 29/05/2010 23:47

Have you thought about using the eurotunnel? Nice holiday abroad decent weather and no stress about planes, delays (volcanic ash! ). I hate flying anyway but the thought of trying to squash the ton of baby stuff that I simply MUST bring with me into a tiny bag or pay ridiculous excess baggage fees would really annoy me. We have 2 children now and happily drive/boat and train around on our holidays

you get to see much more too and no worries about picking up nasty bugs on the flight ...

lisianthus · 30/05/2010 10:15

I would go - your baby is the perfect age to fly as he won't want to crawl around and will just spend the time cuddling and sleeping on you. If you breastfeed, it's even easier as if you feed him on the way up and on the descent, you won't have to worry about his ears being uncomfortable (presumably you could do this with a bottle too, I just don't know what you do about making it up, but I'm sure this could be sorted).

HOWEVER please do check with the airline you are flying about whether they have infant seatbelts. A lot do, some don't. I know Singapore Airlines, Easyjet and vueling do.

I also know that United don't. The flight attendant on United gave us looks when we asked for them and disappeared and finally one turned up and told us in a "now stop causing trouble" way that it was not their policy to provide them. They were also very unhelpful and basically gave us the feeling that they were not interested in our custom, which is fine with me as I won't be using them again.

Anyway, to sum up this will be the last chance you have to travel somewhere to which you need to fly as your baby will become MUCH more difficult to fly with in a few months, so I'd grab this chance with both hands, checking that the airline provides baby seatbelts at the same time.

GeekOfTheWeek · 30/05/2010 11:08

YABU but i understand your fears.

Go for the holiday abroad.

ticktockclock · 30/05/2010 11:13

Yes many airlines do not offer infant seatbelts as they feel that this is less safe. No Canadian airlines do, the child just sits on your lap.

However I agree with other posters you are in much more danger statistically driving in your car, crossing the street, or having an accident at home.

Go hop on the plane and enjoy your holiday.

oldandgreynow · 30/05/2010 14:37

I don't think the baby seatbelt does much to protect the baby ,I think it is more to anchor your baby to you and prevent him from hurting someone else if he gets thrown about by turbulence or bumpy landing

lisianthus · 30/05/2010 17:43

Well, the seatbelt makes me feel more reassured - after all being thrown about the plane wouldn't be too good for the baby either, never mind the people she might hit.

Although it might have helped if United had just explained that reasoning to us rather than adopting an "oh God how tiresome that they have a child" air.

Anyway - definitely go on the holiday. Have a great time!

faerie07 · 30/05/2010 18:56

Um, United? Double check the seatbelt. I found some of the American airlines didn't supply a child's seatbelt (2 years ago), although they were all within the US, flew BA from the UK to the US and they definitely supply.

Sonilaa · 30/05/2010 19:53

in the European Union these extra belts are mandatory. I have flown with my two a few times without major problems. (except for one emergency landing which was bumpy,,,)

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