https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:18:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-travel-with-infant-car-seat#post-563002 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 02:13:07 +0000 mama_byrd 563002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm wondering if policy for how to hold lap infants during take-off and landing is airline policy dependent where some require it and others don't? I would check into your specific airline's policies beforehand and that way, if it's not actually a policy, you can counter any "well meaning" flight attendant who tries to tell you otherwise! </p> <p>Couple things I know for sure about traveling with lap infants is:<br /> -no bulkhead or emergency exit seats with a lap infant<br /> -no more than 1 lap infant per row of connected seats<br /> -they have to stay in your lap or in the seat next to you the entire flight. No placing them by your feet to sleep on the floor, sit and play, or even stand up between your legs.<br /> -carseats have to be installed in the window seat only, no middle or aisle seats. </p> <p>Hope this helps!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-travel-with-infant-car-seat#post-563000 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 02:04:40 +0000 mama_byrd 563000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've traveled 8 times with my son as a lap infant and not once did a flight attendant tell Leo couldn't nurse during take-off or landing. If they had, I think I would have ignored them!! It's such a godsend and my son didn't take a bottle or a pacifier, so it was the only relief for him. Sometimes I was able to bring the infant seat on due to room, other times not due to flight full. One thing that was essential for me on my lap and for him to nurse comfortably and sleep was to bring my ring sling on board. That way when he was sleeping on my lap, I could relax my arms and get sleep myself. </p> <p>I also had an uppababy but instead of bringing the stroller seat, I purchased their sun shade for infant carseats instead and just gate checked the frame (no bag). It worked awesome for shade and folds super small. Traveling light is so nice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-travel-with-infant-car-seat#post-562176 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:52:38 +0000 MusicaV 562176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks ladies. We have the UBV travel bag, which covers any damage as long as they are registered with UB. We will definitely need the stroller at our destination. I'm borrowing a car seat cover from a mommy friend.<br /> @MsMini: Did the flight attendants tell you how you had to hold your LO? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-travel-with-infant-car-seat#post-561053 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:32:23 +0000 MsMini 561053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I gate checked our full sized stroller and car seat without any cover, and both were perfectly clean and dry when I received them, even though it was snowing. I didn't ask to being my car seat on the plane (my flights were pretty full so I doubt I would have been able to anyways). I was not permitted to nurse during take-off and landing, I had to hold my LO in the "burping position" over my shoulder with head and neck supported during taxi, take-off and landing on my flights. I wish I would have known that before we boarded, because LO was hungry, and I wish I would have nursed him at the gate before we boarded (I did on the subsequent flights). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-travel-with-infant-car-seat#post-561027 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:09:02 +0000 Beehive 561027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One thing I'd add re: nursing on takeoff and landing - when we flew with our LO in a carseat on the plane, rather than nursing him I gave him a bottle so he could stay buckled in the carseat. Sucking on the bottle helped with his ears in the same way nursing him would have. Since one of the benefits of having LO in the carseat on the plane is safety, I wanted him to be in the seat during takeoff and landing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-travel-with-infant-car-seat#post-560372 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:32:40 +0000 KayKay 560372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd only bring the stroller if you really need it at your final destination. When I have travelled with DH and LO, I usually wear LO and he puts the carseat on his wheelie carry-on luggage. </p> <p>We have flown 4 or 5 different times with the carseat and never used a cover. We haven't had any issues. We did try a garbage bag overtop once, but it didn't fit very well and was more trouble than it was worth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-travel-with-infant-car-seat#post-560327 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:09:30 +0000 apis 560327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We travelled from NYC to Chicago when our LO was just under 3 months and brought the stroller (City Mini) and car seat (Maxi Cosi Mico)with us: it was useful to keep him in it while we were waiting at the gate, and you get the benefit of having them for the duration of your trip.</p> <p>I completely agree with @eeh and @Thenetexan about bringing the stroller bag, though I would check to see if you can get one that folds up when you don't have the stroller in it. Ours is great for holding the stroller and disassembled wheels, but when the stroller is unfolded and LO is in it, the bag doesn't fold up very conveniently and when you're carrying a lot of other luggage as well, that can be a pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-travel-with-infant-car-seat#post-560070 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:00:26 +0000 Thenetexan 560070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Covers are a must in my mind, though most people do not use them. We have traveled with our gLuxe on multiple occasions and everyone from security to the gate agent questions what is in the bag. On one flight everyone ha wet strollers and car seats at the destination because it was raining. We were so happy to have a dry stroller. We also travel with the infant seat. I was under the impression that you cannot take them out of their seat during take off and landing, if they have a seat. Also keep in mind that from a safety standpoint, that is when you would most likely want them buckled in. I always gave a bottle or water if my LO was awake. If he was asleep, I let him sleep. I do think it is important to give them something to suck on if they are awake. Pacifiers would work too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-travel-with-infant-car-seat#post-559976 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:15:26 +0000 eeh 559976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely use a bag when you check it. Strollers and carseats are considered fragile items and most airlines will not reimburse you for damage. I would much rather my $30 bag get dirty and ripped than my $$$ car seat or stroller. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-travel-with-infant-car-seat#post-559968 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:12:55 +0000 chopsuey 559968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took our PEg with us when LO was 3 months old and checked it at the gate. We put a cover over it because I didn't want it getting dirty.<br /> We also checked our snap and go. Didn't take a separate stroller.<br /> It's not necessary to nurse at take off and landing..<br /> If you're gonna be gone for an extended time I would take the stroller, otherwise I'd skip it and maybe just wear him?<br /> Whatever's most convenient is my motto! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-travel-with-infant-car-seat#post-559936 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:59:53 +0000 loveisstrange 559936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I traveled internationally with my daughter when she was 8 and 9 months old. I took our stroller (City Mini) and checked it plane-side. On all 4 flights, I was lucky enough to get an extra seat for her car seat. I used her carseat with the stroller and had the adaptor with me.</p> <p>The car seat and takeoff/landing have nothing to do with each other, honestly. Sleeping or eating is what helps their ears. If they are doing one of the two, you're fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-travel-with-infant-car-seat#post-559904 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:36:36 +0000 LivsMama 559904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've traveled with Liv as a lap infant now 3 times, and havent ever brought the stroller. The first time we did bring her seat and had to gate check it once. If you bring the car seat onboard, yes, still nurse during takeoff and landing. We had a car seat cover, and it was filthy when we got it from under the plane. Definitely recommend one. The airline told us they often have people throw it in a large black garbage bag right at the gate as well. As for bringing the stroller seat, totally your call. It doesnt take up THAT much more room in the folded stroller (we also have the UBV) and is definitely more comfortable. Liv despised her car seat so we never used the adapter even once. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-travel-with-infant-car-seat#post-559851 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:17:56 +0000 MusicaV 559851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're going on a trip in two weeks when DS will be 5 months old. We are bringing his Peg Perego infant car seat. He is traveling as a lap infant, but we can use it onboard if the flight isn't full. If we don't bring it onboard, we will check it at the gate.</p> <p>My original plan was to bring our UB Vista with the seat and gate-check it (in the UB travel bag). DS has only been in the stroller seat once, so my plan was to get him used to it in the next two weeks. The reasons I want to use the stroller seat (as opposed to snapping in the Peg Perego) are:<br /> 1) We'll be outside for several hours, and I want to use the Vista sun shade.<br /> 2) We have the option to forward face.<br /> 3) When it's warm, he'll probably be more comfortable in the stroller seat than in the padded car seat.</p> <p>So my questions are:<br /> 1) If we check the car seat, should we use a car seat bag/cover?<br /> 2) If we bring the car seat onboard, do I still try to nurse him during take off and landing?<br /> 3) Should we bring the Vista stroller seat or leave it at home? What would you do?</p> <p>Thanks! </p>