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Original poster

Baby on plane on lap

28 replies

ftmquestions · 28/06/2023 06:14

Taking my 4 month old baby on a 2 hr flight tomorrow and starting to sweat at the practicalities. She doesn't have her own seat and we don't have extra leg room. She doesn't settle well in my arms if we're sitting down. Any tips?!

OP posts:
Clymene · 28/06/2023 06:15

Breastfeed

BluebellBlueballs · 28/06/2023 06:17

I don't know if you can put her in a sling?
I'd imagine they have protocols for take off and landing

Bigger babies and toddlers you get a seat belt that loops on the grownup seat belt but I'd imagine she's too young for thatm

MyFaceIsAnAONB · 28/06/2023 06:27

BluebellBlueballs · 28/06/2023 06:17

I don't know if you can put her in a sling?
I'd imagine they have protocols for take off and landing

Bigger babies and toddlers you get a seat belt that loops on the grownup seat belt but I'd imagine she's too young for thatm

You can wear the baby in a sling for takeoff and landing you just need to loop the belt through around them.

Yes they have a belt at that age at all the times adults would have a belt.

You’ll be fine OP, we went to Greece with DD at 4 months last year and same setup with DS age 11 months to Florida. We’ve travelled a fair bit and never bothered with the bassinet etc, always got them their own seat (so we have extra space) and had them on our lap for takeoff and landing.

DonoghueVsStevenson · 28/06/2023 06:30

Stand up whenever you're able. Hold her upright against your chest & Pat her back when you have to be seated. Then alternate with her on her back, head on your knees feet on your hips and tickle her or play peepo or whatever makes her giggle. Play pass the parcel with her to your travel companion, assuming you have one. If all else fails, feed her.

Original poster
ftmquestions · 28/06/2023 06:31

Kicking myself not getting her a seat. Also the extra leg room options were fully booked! She's a pretty chilled out baby but likes lying flat and kicking out. I might bring her baby chair bouncer in the carrier luggage and put it next to my feet???? Is this mental

OP posts:
Jewelanemone · 28/06/2023 06:32

ftmquestions · 28/06/2023 06:31

Kicking myself not getting her a seat. Also the extra leg room options were fully booked! She's a pretty chilled out baby but likes lying flat and kicking out. I might bring her baby chair bouncer in the carrier luggage and put it next to my feet???? Is this mental

You won't be allowed to block the aisle and I doubt there'll be room by your feet within your seating area.

BluebellBlueballs · 28/06/2023 06:33

ftmquestions · 28/06/2023 06:31

Kicking myself not getting her a seat. Also the extra leg room options were fully booked! She's a pretty chilled out baby but likes lying flat and kicking out. I might bring her baby chair bouncer in the carrier luggage and put it next to my feet???? Is this mental

I can't imagine you'll get away with thay when you're usually not allowed anything at your feet and bags have to be under the seat in front during take off and landing.
I'd ring the airline if I was you.

Toddlerteaplease · 28/06/2023 06:34

I can't imagine how you'd got a bouncer in between the seats. And your neighbours probably wouldn't be happy about it anyway!

Clymene · 28/06/2023 06:35

You can't take the bouncer. What's the worst that's going to happen? She'll cry and wriggle around and if will be annoying.

You might find she's better than expected. Mine was so surprised by everything he was very good.

Probationnotontarget · 28/06/2023 06:38

You can lie them flat on your lap.

FlounderingFruitcake · 28/06/2023 06:40

Yes they have a belt at that age at all the times adults would have a belt.
This isn’t always true, US airlines don’t use the extra belts and you just hold the baby. I’m guessing OP is more likely to be UK/Europe based so can probably expect one though.

Honestly there’s little point in booking an extra seat for a baby that young that can’t sit when it’s such a short flight so don’t kick yourself. Feed for take off and landing to help with ears. Give a dummy if they take one. Go for a walk up and down the aisle if you need to. The plane engines are like white noise so I usually found they slept the whole way when they were tiny. It’ll be fine. Far easier now than when they’re 1 and mobile but with the attention span of a gnat! Just make sure you have a few changes of clothes for everyone in hand luggage, enough nappies, wipes and formula (if applicable) for 24 hours in case of delays and plenty of dummies in case they’re dropped (if you use them).

FlounderingFruitcake · 28/06/2023 06:45

Oh and you can’t take a bouncer, it won’t fit! Where would your own legs go?

HelloUtrecht · 28/06/2023 06:46

You'll be fine, she can lie across your legs and kick about. She'll want to look around the plane. We had to take DC out of the sling for take off and landing but could use it if the seatbelt sign was off.

Roselilly36 · 28/06/2023 06:49

It will be ok OP, try not to worry, the more stressed you get baby will pick up on it. So what if baby cries, most (sensible people) know babies cry, it’s a short flight. Babies crying on a flight doesn’t bother me at all, we have been on a flight 7hr, with a baby crying in the row behind us for 6.5
hrs I did feel for the mum, as her husband was very unsupportive, the only break she got was going to the loo. He had a lovely sleep though in a spare seat a few aisles down 😱

Whywhwhy · 28/06/2023 06:57

We flew last week and I took a pillow (from the bed) fir my 13 week old. It made it a lot more comfortable for both of us as he laid on it on my lap. The airline seemed to be fine with me bringing it on board. They need to wear a seat belt attached to yours at any age.

newusernamelouie · 28/06/2023 07:04

For such a short flight you will be fine. I've flown for 10 hr flights on trips that took 24 hrs in total with my babies of all ages on my lap. You walk with them up and down the aisle, entertain them, feed them and before you know it you'll have landed. You'll be totally fine for such a short flight.

Mumof1andacat · 28/06/2023 07:04

I think for 2 hours it will be ok. A pillow is a good idea. Make sure the changing bag is fully stocked. I would make sure you have a change of clothes for you and baby. Plenty of nappies wipes etc. Some teething toys to play with.

Princesspeach31 · 28/06/2023 07:11

I’ve experienced (almost) the worst case scenario with taking a 4 month on a Ryanair flight…I was on my own with her and she screamed for 90% of the flight, and then did a poonami which had to be dealt with in the minuscule toilet. And you know what? We survived. She probably will wriggle, cry and cause you 2 hours of worryingly high blood pressure, but it’s fine. Just hope your neighbours have headphones and feed her on takeoff and about 20 minutes before landing. Also make sure that you have everything you need in a little bag as it’s almost impossible to rummage around a bag by your feet with a baby on your lap.

For the last flight I gave her calpol before takeoff and she was actually a dream, which makes me think that painful ears might have been part of the problem before.

Princesspeach31 · 28/06/2023 07:13

Also carriers are a godsend! They won’t let you use it for takeoff or landing but it’s super useful for the airport and getting on and off the plane.

CatsOnTheChair · 28/06/2023 07:17

You can't take a bouncer for the plane.

Baby may have to be forward facing if the seat belt signs are on - I had to rust DS around in his sling.

It's 2 hours. It will be fine.

liveforsummer · 28/06/2023 07:18

There would have been no point getting a seat for a baby who cannot even sit up and there's no way you'd fit a bouncer by your feet - there is barely room for your legs! Baby can lie flat along your legs if necessary but you might find they sleep a lot due to the vibrations and white noise. 2 hours is no time.

EveryLittleWish · 28/06/2023 08:07

On the bright side , it’s only 2 hours . It’s out of your control really and you might be surprised by how well it goes ( or how well you handle the bad ha)!

Cuckoosheep · 28/06/2023 08:24

If you're going on a European airline she will need an infant/ extension seat belt. She will have to be in this whenever the seat belt sign is on.

Do not lie her on the floor/ use a bouncer (won't be allowed) by your feet etc the carpets are incredibly dirty and this is incredibly dangerous (I've seen toddlers by pax feet).

If the crew aren't put with carts and the seatbelt sign is off take her for a walk.

Take karvol, you should be able to buy it in boots at the airport. Get the crew to put some of the thicker paper hand towels in a double plastic glass with a small amount of boiling water. Drip the karvol into it. It'll help clear her sinuses if she struggles.

Take a pillow in hand luggage if you can.

If it's a small plane (single aisle) it's highly likely the extra legroom seats will be next to the doors and you will not be able to sit there anyway due to the infant. If it's a large twin aisle plane there may be bulk head/ extra legroom seats where you can put a bassinet (some airlines carry them, some don't, usually these seats need to be pre booked- just for future info).

If you're lucky and there are spare seats and you are able to spread out, she'll still need to be on your lap in the infant/ ext belt whenever the seat belt sign is illuminated.

douglasadamswasright · 28/06/2023 13:16

Clymene · 28/06/2023 06:15

Breastfeed

This will work

Sleepyteach · 28/06/2023 13:29

I flew a few times with DD between 4 and 6 months, we gave her a bottle as we took off and she was asleep before the seatbelt signs went off. The white noise of the plane is magic 😂 without fail she woke up as they switched the seatbelt signs back on for landing and took a massive shit. Take spare clothes (for both of you) and more nappies and wipes than you think you could possibly need, then put spares in 😂 it’s 4 years and I’m still not over it.