Babies and safe flying
 

Hi all

I have a question regarding flying with babies.

I understand that they are normally nursed on one's seat but it struck me that this might not be terribly safe. If there was severe turbulence there might be a real chance of the child being flung around inside the aircraft.

Is there some sort of seat add-on (a sort of mini bassinet) that is availabel on any airline and clips onto the seat infront yet holds the child very securely? Basically such a device would sit where the dinner tray normally folds out thus holding the child securely but not using up extra space,

I'm concerned as it is probable that I shall fly with a young baby early next year for the first time and what could be more important than my child's health and safety?

cheers Peter

Peter,

If you're planning to nurse your baby then I have an even more pertinent question than that... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The wife will be coming along also.

cheers Peter

Most airlines have a bassinett that you can put on the wall in a bulkhead seat..you have to prereserve for them tho' so ask when you make your reservations ..happy baby! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Yes, most airlines do have bassinetts, but be aware that they don't incorporate any sort of restraint (at least they didn't 9 years ago, the last time that we used one). If you're concerned about your baby being tossed about in turbulence, the bassinett won't make any difference.

BA has bassinets but not sure about any restrains incorporated. I have seen these full body harness like things that attache to the adults seat belt that can be used for lap children and could probably be used effectively in a bassinet too.

Another option (one that I have used) is to bring the infant car seat along and strap it in to the airplane seat next to you. It means paying a bit more but at least you are certain the baby won't go flying. Also, as noted above the bulkhead seats are not always available and even if you have confirmed your seat assignment unfortunately there is no guarantee these days that you will get that seat or that they will have a bassinet available when you actually show up to fly.

So far the answers you have received are pretty accurate. There are no restraints in the bassinets because if turbulence occurs (or the seatbelt sign illuminates because turbulence is anticipated) you must remove your child from the bassinet. No airline would provide a restraint or encourage you to leave your child in a bassinet because for the following reasons.

They are only held in by three push pins that lightly lock into the wall. Who would trust the integrity of these pins over the strength and security that will be found in a paternal embrace? These bassinets are only weight listed to a maximum of twenty pounds. A ten pound infant can exert a twenty pound plus force if the aircraft is seesawing side to side or moving violently up and down (or can be catapulted from the buoyancy obtained in some situations). That is why infants must be removed when we start jerking you around http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

If you do not go the route of a car seat, as suggested, hold your infant in the burp position. You will be in a more secure position to react protectively and quickly. In a split second, if you feel your child is in danger of becoming airborne, you can instinctively tighten you grip to prevent this and the burp position has proven to leave the parent in better control to cover every direction that your child could be launched from. This same advice is given by way of our training in a planned emergency. You, and the shield your body provides, is the best protection your child can get.

Your love is the best defense and protection your offspring have and this has been proven over and over.

Thanks everyone and in particular Flygirl.

The trouble with turbulence is that one may not always get enough warning and time to secure the baby. I had in mind some sort of system that restrained the baby well at all times.

I just was just discussing this issue with my wife and she made mention of a baby carrier (as she described it) which is some sort of fabric pouch which holds the baby to you.

This would probably be ok as in a sudden bit of turbulence the holder of the baby could instantly clutch the baby providing additional security.

Seems to me to be an area that the airlines could do a little more more investigation into in the interests of passenger safety.

cheers Peter

I really appreciated this thread and particularly Flygirl's post. Thanks! While I have a stepson form my previous marriage and a foster child, I never flew with either until they were at least 5. We are expecting our first baby in October and were just discussing the flight arrangements to fly to my wife's parents house at Christmas. I had previously told my wife something about thinking that crying babies ought to go to the back of the plane, because they disturb those who are trying to work. We are debating whether to go in first or coach. I am a big guy and rarely sit anywhere but the exit row in coach and the idea of being crushed into a regular coach row, perhaps routinely and for many years!!! terrifies me. On the other hand getting 3 seats in first so the baby can have a car seat does seem a bit much to me, and we're much more likely to have an empty seat next to us in coach. Maybe I'll get one in coach and one up front and my wife can sit up fornt with the baby and I'll take an exit row seat? This may be a recipe for marital strife however... With the two older boys I just get 2 exit row seats and two seats in the next row in front or behind. This has worked well for us. My boys are very well behaved on the plane, perhaps better so than I am. Traveling with a child too young to be told there is a consequence for misbehaving on the plane is pretty scary for me!

Good post Flygirl, thanks, and I couldn't agree with your last sentence more http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Trouble with simply holding a lap child is that in certain instances the forces involved are too great, additionally if turbulence should hit whilst you are reaching for the diaper bag and do not have a firm grasp on your child your reaction may not be quick enough.

Here is the vest I was talking about earlier for lap child use.
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/perfectl...-turbvest.html

Steffo, I too am a big fellow (6'4" 200lbs+) who cherished the exit row seats (except the ones that don't recline http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ) but I have found that when my wife and I travel we do great just buying 3 coach seats (window-center-aisle). With our child in the seat between us in her car seat it is almost like having an empty seat next to you and your legs have plenty of room. It is a cheaper alternative than sitting up front and as an extra bonus you will not have to endure the foul looks of the ignorant pax who think that children have no place up front (also if you enroll in the BA household account you child will travel for 50% off in AA and 25% off in BA but your child will earn 100% miles which can be pooled with those of the parents or older household members).

For an older child (toddler), the following might be an option especially if their car seat is getting too heavy (this only weights 4 lbs and having carried a 25lb car seat, a 30lb infant, and a full diaper bag for what seemed like miles in London before getting through immigration and in to the baggage claim area where there are baggage carts I can tell you that LIGHTER is BETTER http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif )though I should caution that this product is not approved for aircraft use though it looks like it would work well for the purposes of turbulence and emergency landing. It is approved for use in a passenger vehicle afterall.
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/dmart/costravves5p.html

Travel with small children is a bit of a challenge but if done with preparation, planning (for example I usually fly LGW-ATL and I do a stop over in ATL before flying ATL-ORD-STL the next day to give my daughter a chance to recover from the trasat flight, outbound it is all in one shot though), and a bit of effort on the parents part in-flight, it can actually be fun for the child and the parent/s (barring ear or sinus problems which obviously are going to cause a child to cry, and some adults too I might add, the following link may be of help).
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/familyon...aneschild.html

This is a good product that can help avoid the difficulties that I have experienced in London. It is a car seat/flight seat. It weights 14lbs but quickly converts to a stroller once off the plane and diaper bag/carry on can be attached to hook on handel (or could get the optional mesh bag, a bit steep at $20 though). http://store.yahoo.com/perfectlysafe/sitnstroll.html


Hope you have a good experience http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by Mvic (edited 08-20-2000).]

Most airlines block off that centre bulkhead for bassinets don't they?

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~ Glen ~

Center bulkhead with bassinet in front of me? Oh I think I am in heaven http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Nearly as much heaven as the pax sitting near those 3 screeching kids on a 14 hour flight! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Score the exit row in coach on a 747 and you mostly score a few kids next to you in the bulkhead row. Fun trip sometimes!

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~ Glen ~




[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 08-20-2000).]

Thanks for all the great info and links Mvic! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

One thing I learned from having our first baby and flyinf soon after, is that some of the crying is caused of course by ear pain, children not knowing or being able to "pop" their ears during take-off and descent. There-for, we always tried to nurse our son during these times, as the swallowing helps to un-plug the infants ears. It has worked well, so far!

Also, be sure and tell the res agent that you have a lap child and would like to try and block the middle seat, if this is the way you go. Also, be sure to carry proof of age (immunization card, birth cert., passport) because if the airport agent doesn't believe your child is under two, and you can't prove it, you can be forced to buy a ticket.