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Long flight with 14 month old?

Travel Info
Hi! I need to travel from UK to South Africa with my 14 month old boy. He is rather heavy, so can't go in a carry on car seat or the bassonets they provide in the plane. Does anyone know how to go about it, as I obviously can't hold him all night on my lap? Many thanks for answering.

Travel Tips

I've been flying internationally with my two children since they were 2months old (they are now 7&5)

Under FAA & it's European counterpart regulations, airlines currently allow children under the age of two to fly free of charge as "lap children" (not required to have their own seat). The steward/stewardess should place you in a front seat where you will have more room. Most airlines will provide you with a special baby seat belt that hooks onto yours so your child can be buckled up as well. And depending on the airline and length of flight the steward/stewardess will give you a crib type thing that attaches to the front wall to put your child in (however you can not uses this during take-off and landing).

This is not the safest way for a child to fly and the airlines recommend children to have their own seat with a child safety device, but does not mandate it because of the cost to the parents.

A child safety device is an airline-approved alternative to using a hard-backed seat and is approved only for use on aircraft and for use in motor vehicles. Many people confuse it with a regular car seat, which it is not.

Many airlines offer half-price tickets so parents can be guaranteed that their child can travel in a CRS or device. Parents should call their airline to ask for a discount and/or ask what the airline's policy is for using empty seats.

Just another piece of advice, I know it wasn't in your question but it'll help:

For take-offs and landings, the best think you can do is if the 1 old is still nursing, make sure to nurse the baby. If the baby is not nursing, give him a bottle to drink (milk, water, juice - it doesn't matter) or a pacifier.

Baby formula is fine to take with you, and you are not limited to the amount you can bring aboard with you, do not worry.

Another trick is that if the baby is not taking to the pacifier or wanting to drink or nurse, gently rub the neck of the baby from the chin down to the chest several times - this will cause a swallowing motion which will help with the ears popping.

Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your child. A few of his favorite toys, books, and any comfort things such as a blankie. It's a long flight, so hopefully he'll sleep for most of it.

Pack a few instant hot/cold cereals, instant rice, and other just-add-water packets. The stewards/stewardess' will provide you with hot or cold water upon request.

I hope you have a great trip, and if I can be of any more assistance, please feel free to contact me. Source(s): Husband is a pilot
Frequent world traveler
Have been traveling with my two children since they were 2 months (now 7&5)
http://360.yahoo.com/jamie_hassen...

Other Travel Tips
purchase another ticket so he can sit on the seat.
This has "bad idea" written all over it. You should first start by asking yourself, "Do I really NEED to take the 14-month-old on a flight from UK to South Africa?"

If that is indeed the case (hint: it isn't, you always have other options), you will need to purchase a ticket for him for the seat he will occupy. Sometimes airlines will discount that seat for a child, so be sure to ask.
I would purchase another ticket for him and pack toys and something for him to suck on or chew during take off to clear his ears.
buy him a seat and take your car seat with you
this is the best way to take small kids on long or short flights
and keep them safe... after all you would not take your kids in a car going 150-200 miles per hour, without a car seat
For the safety of the child, buy him a seat and bring his aircraft approved car seat along for him to sit in.

If he is too heavy for the bassinets etc, then he is certainly too heavy for you to hold on to if there is a sudden stop - a proven statistic is that a 30 lb. child held in a parents lap needs the parent's arms to exert 1000 lbs. of pressure to hold onto them if there is a sudden stop when the vehicle is going 30 miles per hour.
An aircraft is going well over 100 miles per hour when it takes off and lands which is much more than the 30 at the test site.

As for the women that keeps recommending the harness that attaches your child to you - that has not been proven to be a safe restraint - if there is a sudden stop and your child is attached to the front of you - you WILL be propelled over on top of the child and crush them. There is no way for the child to be propelled forward enough not to be injured if there is impact.

The safest place for the boy is in a seat of his own - bring him snacks and a sippy cup. Some toys, a couple books and don't forget wipes.

First and foremost - look out for the safety of the child - most airlines offer infant fares and if there are special fares available you can also buy the child a seat at a discount and not the infant fare. Ask the representative what the least expensive price is.
Happy traveling.