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At 7 months old, I would just hold the baby. We traveled with our daughter at 3 months and again at 12 months and 18 months and she was fine in my lap. I didn't need an extra contraption to deal with! Just know that if you carry her in an Ergo, you will have to unsnap it for take off.

@Mrsbells: no. You don't have to have a baby strapped down. Some flight attendants are jerks and will say things like, "your baby has to be sitting up right in your lap and facing forward during take-off" while your 6 month old is having a huge meltdown. But most are pretty helpful and understanding that you can't control a flailing child..

The item you pictured is not approved for flight travel.

You can definitely wear your baby for most of the time, depending on how much your baby likes being worn. However, you cannot wear them during takeoff and landing.

At that age and with that number of people, I would travel with the baby as a lot baby. Your baby probably won't be that unruly / mobile, so being on your lap will be fine, and you'll have the row to yourself because of your other child. If you're nursing, they're going to be in your arms a fair amount anyway, so I don't think it's usually worth it to buy them their own seat, especially for domestic flights.

There will be some probably some commenters that talk about the dangers of having a lap baby. I understand and i would consider purchasing a seat for a very mobile baby, older baby, heavy baby, or to get a row to yourself (I'm currently doing that right now for a Christmas travel) But even with a lap baby, it's important to bear in mind that flying in planes with vastly safer than any other forms of travel.

At 7 months I used the carrier or took her out if I was nursing. On one flight I was asked to un-clip it during takeoff (I can't remember if it was southwest or American) but most of the time they didn't care.

Yep ... they won't let you have baby strapped to you (but I honestly felt more comfortable with baby in the carrier (fully supported), so when the flight attendants sat down, I'd snap it on).

It truly is safest to have baby in a carseat (plus safer for the carseat - to not get beaten up by the airport staff), but for us, that option wasn't really an option until LO was about 1, and we have the $$ to spend on a 3rd seat for her. Thankfully, we never had any crazy flights, but even with turbulence, I always felt like she was safe on our laps.

@Mrsbells: apparently the restrictions are because those are the most dangerous times of flight, and if the baby was strapped to you during a crash, the force plus your weight would certainly crush the baby versus the potential damage of your baby flying around? Obviously neither option is desired, but that was the reason I was given. (I usually bought a seat for my babies, but on one round trip for a family emergency, I flew standby and only got one seat.)

I've been told it's safer for the baby to be a projectile rather than be squashed by the forward thrust of the passenger they are strapped to.

European airlines, though, will pass out belts to loop around your belt and the baby, so the jury is out, apparently.

We have been on almost 20 flight segments with DS, most recently when he was was 17 months old. Most of them he was as a lap infant, but a few we had a seat for him. It hasn't been that bad to have him as a lap infant, especially when he was younger, and less mobile. You get a briefing before takeoff, and they will have you hold him in a burping position for takeoff and landing, supporting his head. For hard landings, it prevents whiplash. I've also always breastfed on takeoff and landing (disengaging just before wheels touch just in case!). No issues!

The only airline we have been on that allowed, or even required, him to be attached to me was with Air New Zealand, and it was a little seatbelt strap that attached to my belt. The hammock you showed above definitely wouldn't be approved on any of the airlines I've been on. As for bassinets, they are (1) available only in the bulkhead row, (2) mostly only on international flights, and (3) only for really small babies, under a certain weight and not sitting up yet - so not an option for you, unfortunately. Either way, as a lap infant or purchasing a seat.

A carrier is a big help in the airport (and getting on the plane), and/or an umbrella stroller (we have the MB Nano) if you have a stopover or connection. You will usually have to take the baby out of either for security. You can take whatever you want for food and liquids through security if it's for a baby.

At 6 months, DD was a lap infant and the flight was a breeze. I wore her through the airport and just nursed her on takeoff and she slept almost the whole time.

I've flown with DS at 4 months, 7 months, and 9 months. All solo. I tula him through security, allow him to play, then have him sit on my lap and eat on the plane. A pouch and fruit cup last a long time if you need them to. Also, get an empty cup from the flight attendant. It provides lots of entertainment.

My only challenge with a lap seat child is he's squirmy. He gets very interested in my seatmates hair and jacket

I think the reason you take a baby out of a carrier during takeoff and landing is that if you do stop short your weight can squish the infant. It's actually better for them to be loose. This is the same reason two people should never share one seat belt. And it's better not to use a carrier in a cab. Takeoff and landing are when there is more danger of a minor crash that could be very bad for a baby in a carrier.

This was my understaffing from a flight attendant. Maybe they made it up, but it makes sense.