https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 12:27:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2667429 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 12:53:56 +0000 winniebee 2667429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did lap all the way up until 2 when we had to purchase tix. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2667425 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 12:49:58 +0000 looch 2667425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Open seat on a plane...what's that, lol? I can't tell you the last time there was an open seat on a flight I've been on, so I never plan for that. </p> <p>The one thing tried, though, is to get the extra legroom seats, specifically the bulkead. You can't keep stuff in the aisle, but you can reserve the bassinet in that row (usually) and it helps a little...although my son hated it and was too big for it at 6 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2667423 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 12:45:40 +0000 BSB 2667423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did that trip with almost 4 month old twins. One was a lap infant and the other one had a paid seat. At that age, they both just slept. I think if you can afford it and want to be a bit more stress free and hands free, I would pay for the extra seat if it's holiday travel. I could chance it and hope that there is a free seat available, if I didn't want to pay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2667154 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 22:12:10 +0000 Portboston 2667154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If he is good in the car seat (mine wasn't) I'd bring it to the gate and hope for an empty seat. Otherwise I'd lap it. My LO had to be held all. The. Time. So it didn't make sense for us to spend the extra money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2667039 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 14:31:44 +0000 nana87 2667039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We flew about that long with lo when she was about that age, and just had her as a lap baby. I wore her in a carrier mos t of the time and that worked well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2667032 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 14:09:25 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2667032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@thepicklemonster: with my first at that age we got a seat which was nice to have. With my second he was a lap baby and it was not as convenient especially when he wouldn't nap but it was doable and worth saving the money! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666996 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 10:44:06 +0000 BKCaribBaby 2666996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just saw 16 weeks! Yes, You can probably lap baby it. I was nursing a lot still then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666993 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 10:39:02 +0000 gingerbebe 2666993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've done lap. My first was a super high needs fussbucket so I was walking and soothing him anyway. Bring a Boppy or in a pinch those neck pillows work too. A soft baby carrier or wrap will also be good - you just have to take the baby out at take off and landing but they can sit in the wrap otherwise. I always brought a washcloth folded into quarters as a small pillow on my chest/clavicle so the baby's face would be comfy. </p> <p>We always brought the car seat in case there was an open seat. Go straight to the counter at the gate and ask if it's a full flight and whether you can grab a seat for the baby. We said the magic words "we can totally sit in the last row" and our gate agents have many times called to the flight attendants in the plane to give them a heads up and someone had saved the last row for us. It was nice to have the option but again my son usually needed to be soothed a lot so we didn't use it very much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666990 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 10:35:51 +0000 Pumuckl 2666990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We always did what @Anya suggested, bring the carseat to gate and see whether a seat is available. We lucked out more times than not. Sometimes the middle was taken and the gate agent rebooked that person to another empty seat. Most people seem not to mind switching away from a seat next to a baby :silly:<br /> We often brought a carseat bag with us so that we could protect the seat somewhat when we did have to check it.<br /> Other than that flying with kids this young usually isn't difficult either nurse at take-off and landing or give them the paci. I actually never had to nurse for either, mine were both always fine with just the pacifier. During the flight the plane acts as a giant white noise machine so babies usually just sleep. Maybe bringing a carrier is helpful if your baby likes it so you can let it sleep in that and have your hands free. Also lots of Clorox wipes to wipe everything down before you sit that keeps germs away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666982 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 09:35:45 +0000 sapphire 2666982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After they are mobile, I find a seat essential. But at that age I think holding them is actually easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666974 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 08:46:59 +0000 SweetiePie 2666974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine slept great in a car seat. Since that length of flight guarantees there will be a nap, I would nap him in the car seat so I could have some freedom for a couple of hours.<br /> We did this around 6 months on a 5-6 hour flight and he slept 3 hours straight. It was nice to be able to do things for myself during that time.<br /> And yeah, obviously it's safer! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666972 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 08:22:37 +0000 Banana330 2666972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@thepicklemonster: lap for sure.. they are soo easy at that age. Take a breastfeeding pillow for them to fall asleep on that way you can easily move them between you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666967 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 08:05:25 +0000 tequiero21 2666967@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a lap baby but he was almost two years and it was doable. At 16 weeks, I think it is not doable because U can't just let the baby down to give urself a break. Gotta hold baby the entire time! Unless hubby is willing to hold half the time, I'd say buy a seat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666963 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 07:25:54 +0000 danda 2666963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At that exact age we took my (not that chill) daughter as a lap baby. She was in my arms and nursed/fell asleep the entire trip from East Coast to California (made sense as we had an evening flight so it was during her normal sleep hours). We were able to get an open seat and had her in car seat on the way back east. She was more awake then but stayed pretty happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666957 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 00:05:17 +0000 youboots 2666957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Team lap baby it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666954 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 23:52:39 +0000 808love 2666954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is a tricky one! I flew with LO at that age as a lap baby and the flight was twice as long. It was horrible-definitely the hardest I've had in the 20+ flights I've taken with LO! I was nursing too so doing it next to another passenger was a little uncomfortable. If it is during the day and baby is rested when you go, you should be ok! I don't know if more space would have made a difference for me. It was just soooooo long. Your flight is only 5 hrs so not so bad! I would (and did) chance it and go for free. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666951 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 23:45:49 +0000 DesertDreams88 2666951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We flew for 3.5 hours at 18 weeks. We brought the infant seat on and got to use it on 1 of our 2 flights. The other flight, he nursed and slept in my arms the whole way. It was awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666950 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 23:39:20 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2666950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: I did lap infant till the end! With my 99 percentile 23 month old. I know it's less safe but my son absolutely hates the car seat. We were lucky to have a middle seat empty just for more space. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666941 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 22:23:19 +0000 Iced Tea 2666941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have relatives who are pilots. They are totally horrified by unsecured infants, so we vowed to always buy the seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666919 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 20:15:18 +0000 Kemma 2666919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Having baby in her infant seat is by far the safest option if you run into any turbulence on the flight, it also gives you a safe and secure space to place baby if / when you need a break. Something else to consider is that car seats don't always survive being checked (either as luggage or at the gate) and you don't want to arrive at your destination with a seat that is damaged and no longer useable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666918 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 20:11:45 +0000 tinyperson 2666918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Seat! I'm just not comfortable holding my baby on a plane. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666917 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 20:07:10 +0000 Madison43 2666917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Looks like I am the odd one out, but I would totally get the extra seat! We always do - planes are cramped and unless you are in the bulkhead, I think it is very uncomfortable to hold a baby in your lap the whole time. I also love having the extra room and the option to strap them into their seat to sleep so I can be hands free. On our last flight, I actually read a book and had a drink while LO2 slept in her car seat next to me. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666913 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 19:52:18 +0000 erinbaderin 2666913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We flew 8 hours to England with a 16 week old as a lap infant and it was fine. Try to get a bassinet if you can, that solves your problem, but I think it will be fine. We've had him as a lap infant on 2 8 hour flights (4 and 16 months) and 2 5 hour flights (10 and 22 months) and they were all fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666912 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 19:48:25 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2666912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would buy a seat and did for my nearly six month old on a 6.5 hour international flight. We had talked about not doing it and I'm so glad we did. I breastfed before take off and she slept the whole way there because it was a night flight and then for a few hours on the way home because it was around a nap time. I would have been way stressed out without the baby seat that I could cover with a blanket (so it was nice and dark) and keep her secure in. </p> <p>We're about to take two short flights next week, one is under an hour and the other is 2.5 and she will be a lap passenger at just under 14 months. Personally, I wish they just made everyone buy a seat for their baby and it wasn't even a choice because it makes me feel a bit stressed out that they have no seatbelt. Probably next time we'll fly and she'll be 2 hopefully and I won't have to think about it because there will be no choice. </p> <p>I know the extra cost sucks...but for a longer flight it was worth it in my opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666911 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 19:39:54 +0000 Mrs. Microscope 2666911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lap. Bring a boppy or similar so baby can sleep and your arms don't get too tired </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666908 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 19:17:00 +0000 pachamama 2666908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm lap seating my 15 month old in April because I thought threats what people did. And I'm cheap.. Is that a horrible idea?? Sorry to threadjack! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666903 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 19:01:16 +0000 yoursilverlining 2666903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did lap until we were required to buy a seat. At that age my lo just slept the majority of the time in my arms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666902 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 18:58:45 +0000 Anya 2666902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We always book and window and aisle seat in the hopes that the middle won't get booked. If someone shows up for the middle we just trade them for the aisle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666897 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 18:42:58 +0000 Miss Ariel 2666897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would probably just fly as a lap infant. We flew with dd when she was around 8 months old and it wasn't that bad. Especially since both of you are there you can take turns on who is holding the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-6-hour-flight-with-16-week-old-lap-or-seat#post-2666895 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 18:40:56 +0000 Corduroy 2666895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd bring a bucket seat to the gate and see if there's an extra seat. That age was really easy to fly with. </p> <p>In terms of other advice - have DH change baby's diaper if needed on board. People make a huge fuss over men changing babies and practically throw them a parade. It totally beats the death stares moms get for bringing babies on a plane. </p>