Which is best seat location on long haul flights with 14 month old babies?

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ron

I would suggest near the toilet for baby changing etc., you can check with the airline when booking what facilities they have for babies.

Eclipsepearl

I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my three children, flights of 11 1/2 hours plus a connection about twice a year alone.

I do recommend the "bulkhead" seats, or those with the wall in front. This is a tricky age for air travel since they like to move, hate to be confined and are difficult to communicate with, i.e. "When the seatbelt sign goes off, then you can..."

You mention bassinets but these vary from airline to airline. Make sure we're talking about a "wall mounted" one, not a fiddly box at your feet (not useful). Check the weight limits. Many year old babies are too big but it depends on both the airline and the child.

I recommend bringing his own car seat and trying to get an extra seat on the plane. 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.

Bassinets are no replacement for a car seat as far as safety is concerned and they have to be put away for take-off and landing anyway (while the baby should stay in the seat for those times).

If you are flying a U.S. company, check that your seat is FAA approved;
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

Since you haven't booked a seat for him, 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.

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 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 (and she's 3 1/2). She usually prefers to walk and then I load the carry-ons abord.

Besides, taking your car seat onboard virtually guarentees that it'll be there at your destination. Checking them risks damage and loss. Wont you need it when you get there?

For entertainment, get him a new toy, anything and it doesn't have to be expensive. Keep it and give it to him 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* he can watch it without sound. I doubt he'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. Pinwheels, pipecleaners and other quiet toys work well too. No one will mind if you read to him so bring books. They love books with flaps that open.

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!
-Bring slippers, especially if you're not in the bulkhead!

If you use a good baby carrier (not a front pack but something comfortable like a wrap, sling or pouch) bring it! Magic for getting babies to stop crying inflight. I would just pop them in it and take a walk to calm them down. It also doubled as a blanket, baby changer, sun shade, etc.

I was amazed how many babies cry because they're too hot. As a Flight Attendant, I got a lot of them to quiet down by just pointing out to the parents that the hot sweater might be the culprit. Too many blamed it on the "ears" (even when we were on the ground!)

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 and I have never, ever done anything special with my children for take-offs and landings.

If a child has problems, it is NOT on take-off and landing but at the *top of descent*, when the plane leaves the cruising altitude and starts decending towards landing (or touch down). Problems occur between 30,000 and 10,000 ft (3000m). The ears have to reverse pressurization at this time, so that can be tricky.

It's recommended that the child simply be AWAKE. By all means, get them to drink if you can but don't force. And please let him sleep through take-off if he nods off, which so many children do. Don't wake him unnecessarily (and make him cry unnecessarily).

http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandaltitude.htm

The BEST way to avoid ear issues is to take your little guy to the doctor a few days before flying. My son was good at getting symptomless ear infections. Make sure yours' doesn't have one of those! The doctor will look in his ears and make sure they're clear and infection-free. Healthy ears can handle pressurization changes.

For more information, I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with kids. It's totally non-commercial and other parents from around the world have contributed. I have a section on what to do with crying babies;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

It's also featured on this month's Expat Women website;
http://www.expatwomen.com/mothers/flying_with_children.php

Both of you get plenty of sleep the night before and hope it goes smoothly!

Neil

If you want a bassinet, ask! But even then, be aware that they don't guarantee you one. Do you want to use one? Are you buying a seat for your child? If so, you would be better off bringing your carseat and using it.

The only place you can use the bassinet is in a bulkhead seat (they mount to the bulkhead) and many airlines reserve those for their frequent flyers and/or people who will pay a bit extra for them. So it depends on the airline (and possibly even on the route) not only whether a bassinet is available but also whether you will be able to use it, and whether you will have to pay extra to be able to use it.

Consider also the disadvantages of a bulkhead seat. Sometimes they have more legroom but sometimes less, and EVERYTHING will have to be stowed overhead for takeoff and landing. You never know just how long you will have to stay strapped in.

Depending on the airline, they will either insist that your baby be in the bassinet for takeoff, landing, and turbulance (not so good,) or insist that you hold your baby at those times (better, but not as safe as in your care seat.)

There's nowhere you can sit which keeps the baby much further away from other passengers (and, actually I think just as much to the point, vice versa.) Bulkhead seats or the very back row reduces slightly the number of people who are the very closest, but with of course other disadvantages. You might want to check seatguru.com for details on what's good and not good about specific seats.

General suggestions: Have twice the number of diapers and wipes in your possession on board as you think you'll need (plus some more in your checked bag for after arrival!) and at least one full change of clothes for you and baby. Explosions do happen, and usually at the least convenient time! Chose carefully you don't want to have to schlepp six tons of stuff but have a favorite blanket and/or soft toy, and in other toys and book go for both familiarity (for soothing and calming) and novelty (for exciting and energizing.)

To avoid driving other passengers crazy avoid toys that make electronic noises or indeed a lot of noise of any kind, but to satisfy that desire your kid is likely to have you may want to have some that will make some sound, if only say maybe whacking a soft toy on a board book. You might want to bring along a whole lot of earplugs to offer to nearby passengers. (My experience was that hardly anyone took them, but lots of people seemed to appreciate the thought.)

Have plenty of familiar/preferred snacks. Be sure to keep baby (and you!) hydrated. Nursing or drinking from a bottle or sippy cup during takeoff and landing will help equalize pressure in ears. (But you may not be able to nurse if the airline insists on baby being in the bassinet.)

Accept help from flight attendants and fellow passengers.

Flying Fid

You will be allocated a seat by a door where a basinet will be provided for your baby on the bulkhead in front of you. The Stewardesses will make a big fuss of you and your little one as the doors are opposite the galleys where the hostesses are.
Your baby will be strapped to you in a special harness for takoff and landing, you should have a stress free and lovely flight.

Jerry C

I'd say far away from a door, because in case something goes wrong, then YOU have to operate the door, and with a baby it can be inconvenient. Maybe beside a toilet, for changing diapers. You might decide not to sit by a window if your child is scared of heights... It can get pretty scary at 35,000 feet. An aisle seat would be great for walking back and forth with your baby. And I kinda realized that the size of the seats in 1st, business and coach aren't really different.

dopeadevil23

Get an aisle seat so you can get up, walk around, and comfort your child. Remember lots of babies cry because of air pressure changes, so make sure the baby has a pacifier or bottle during takeoff / landing (altitude change). try to get a seat close to the center of the plane by the steward/ ess areas, they will help you cope... Good luck.

natureboy

best seat for you and your baby is in the bathroom, no one wants to hear a baby cry

simm101

By a door.

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