On a long flight with a 16 mo old, (too big for the bassinet), can she sleep on the floor at the bulk heads?

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Eclipsepearl

I'm also a former Flight Attendant and I urge you not put your baby on the floor. You don't know when turbulence could hit. It often has no warning and that would mean your child's head would lift up and hit the floor. Also, you don't strap them to your lap in turbulence. You just have to hold them.

The floor is also not very clean and it's super hard, even if carpeted. It can also be very cold close to the floor.

I do recommend that he have her own seat and that you bring her carseat along. Try to get an extra seat next to you if the flight isn't full.

This is the only way to fly safely with any baby. Lap children are allowed because statistically, flying is so safe, there's very little chance of anything going wrong. If it does though, a lap child has no protection.

First check that your seat is FAA approved;
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

Since you haven't booked a seat for her, call the airline and see if the flight is full. Then, at check in, ask nicely if you can have an empty seat next to you to place your carseat in. They often do this for families.

I will say that my toddlers were much more settled and much easier when they were in their familar seat. Not to scare you but some parents haven't been able to keep a hold of their little ones and have been "off loaded" as a result.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2007-01-23-airtran_x.htm

I will admit that I've strapped down an unhappy little one more than once. Toddlers hate to be confined and simply don't understand that they have to be seated sometimes. Firmly anchored in, I could then consol them while we landed.

Before buying a CARES harness, make sure it's approved on the airlines you will be flying. That information is on their site. But I can assure you that getting a car seat through the airport is not the big deal that the CARES harness site makes it out to be and it is ***highly*** recommended that you NOT check a car seat in as luggage as they suggest. Car seat techs are very upset about this being the recommendation on their site. This risks the seat being damaged and/or lost. Air travel is very safe while driving from the airport with an unrestrained child because the airline lost your seat is much more likely to happen. I had a flight recently where only one of my four bags arrived but we had our seat so my daughter was safe on the 2 hour drive home.

http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

To get through the airport, they sell all sorts of gizmos like these;
http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html
http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Attach-Rolling-Carry/dp/B000JHN3AS
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/363756.html

I'm not promoting any of those sites and/or products and be sure before buying. Not all products suit all seats.

I simply use a small metal luggage cart with an extra bungee cord and it works great. I skip on the stroller and she can even ride in it. She usually prefers to walk and then I load the carry-ons aboard, saving my back too.

Besides, taking your car seat onboard virtually guarentees that it'll be there at your destination.

For entertainment, get her a new toy, anything and it doesn't have to be expensive. Keep it and give it to her once you're on the plane. My son at that age liked anything with wheels. Once, I simply had a package of plastic animals. Kept him busy for ages!

I actually don't recommend a portable DVD player *unless* she can watch it without sound. I doubt she'll wear the headphones but try it at home.

I found that stickers, coloring stuff and books were better at occupying them at this age. No one will mind if you read to him.

Just some other small tips;
-Bring a change of clothes
-Bring way more diapers than you think you'll need
-Learn to change him standing up (don't try to fit him on those tiny babychangers and toddlers hate to lie down in strange places)
-Bring an empty sippy cup to fill during the services. This will prevent spills in the air.
-Get up and move around with him but keep an eye out. Those carts the F/A's use are the perfect height for hiding little ones
-Bring snacks. Don't fret security. I've never had anything taken away (yes, water but not snacks) and that's the only risk. If you have something not allowed, they simply remove the item. No scenes, no speeches, no arrests!
-Try to sit in a bulkhead seat so that there's no one in front of you
-Bring slippers

It's actually a myth that children need to suck on something for take-off and landing. I rarely saw it in my 13 years as a Flight Attendant. On the countless flights I've done with my three children, I have never, ever done anything special with them for take-offs and landings.

ENT specialists simply recommend that the child is awake for landing;
http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandaltitude.htm

The delicate time is not during take-off or landing/touchdown but at the *top of descent*. This is usually 40 minutes to

nunciata22

Chances are the crew would not allow you to leave her to sleep on the floor. The standard flight crew prefer is that everyone stay in their seats with seat belts fastened even when the sign is off. I was in the industry for over 10 yrs. It doesn't matter if the flight has been smooth, you NEVER know when the plane will strike clear air turbulence. When I was newer in the industry I was on a cross country flight, flight was smooth as silk. I was walking to the rear of the cabin and BAM! clear air turbulence. I was literally launched through the air and cracked a hole in the ceiling of the cabin, and knocked out cold. This is not an exaggeration or a joke. I would never allow my child to sleep on the floor of an aircraft for this reason, and for the fact its really grody down there. My kids are in car seats, no question about it. I have seen too many injuries and have been injured myself due to turbulence. Sudden turbulence.

one

When this ones daughter was very young and we went on flights, this one took her car seat with us onto the plane and used it in the plane seat she was assigned.

This made her more comfortable and the ride more enjoyable for everyone.

All of the stewards and stewardesses thanked this one for having been so thoughtful and prepared.

Children should never sleep on the floor of a moving aircraft. Think what might happen in an emergency situation!

Be well and, please, try to be wise.

Mike V

No that's incredibly unsafe because turbulence can't be anticipated. You need to buy her/him a seat and strap her in.

Sorry.

Techwing

A small child unrestrained in an aircraft might easily be killed if the aircraft hits sudden turbulence, so whether the crew allows it or not, it's not a good idea.

BrwnSuga

That would be very unsafe for your daughter.
Why don't you just buy her her own seat and if the plane is not too full you might be lucky and get another empty seat so she can lay down on the seats with you sitting next to her. I've done this with my toddler since he was 8 months old and way too heavy for the baby bassinet. When my son got too big for the bassinet, I never buy a bulkhead seat anymore since you can't take the armrest up. If you are travelling alone with her try to buy her CARES http://www.kidsflysafe.com/ (child restraint approved by the FAA) instead of lugging a big carseat yourself. This thing is a life savers!

Good luck!

SeaEff

I've seen it done, but I wouldn't have been very happy doing it with mine when they were little, I would worry about hitting unexpected turbulence.
If the flight is quiet, try to move and lay her across 2-3 seats and use the seat belts to tie her in.

amsterdam

Possibly - they tend to be very accommodating with kids, they don't want them (or you) screaming all night.

Daisyhill

No...and why would you want that? It wouldn't be safe...you tend to hit a good bit of turbulence on long flighrs like that...I have done it and they even make you take the baby out of the bassinet during turbulence...you wouldnt want opne on the floor! She'll have to sleep on you...but if there are 3 empty seats together they will always suggest you move.

John G

Of course no.

PATRICK

o dear more loving parents

haggerpotter

when i was younger we used to take 10+ hour flights. usually my family would take up 3 or 4 seats which is an entire row in the plane. my brother and i would take turns laying on the floor under our parents feet and we'd fall asleep. i dont know if they allow that kind of stuff anymore this was like 15+ years ago, but i've def. done it.

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