https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 16:34:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812992 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 21:37:41 +0000 MamaCate 2812992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I have never flown with a car seat on a plane for kids from 6 mos to 6. when we visit my parents they bought extra seats and install in their car before they pick up.<br /> When we are renting a car elsewhere I check the seat at the counter and pick it up at baggage claim to install in the rental.</p> <p>I flew last year with a 21 month old with his own seat. No one seemed bothered. It was nice that I was allowed to hold him at takeoff. Once theu are two they have to be buckled in their seat during takeoff and landing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812847 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 13:09:55 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2812847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: We checked our car seat on our first flight where we had to purchase a seat for my 3yo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812816 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:46:19 +0000 psw27 2812816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have skipped the seats on occasions when we have lucked out into a free seat. My DS used the seat mostly to stand in front of play cars or whatever. This was when he was under 2. We have also skipped it now that he's a bigger kid (3.5) and just buckled him. But there will be arguments both ways of course... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812812 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:38:18 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2812812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back to our airlines’ rules and a car seat is just a strong suggestion. 🤔 LO is 31 lbs. once we get to our destination we are only going to use the car seat to and from the airport. Now, I just have to convince DH to skip the seat.</p> <p>Thanks everyone!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812807 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:27:26 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2812807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: yes, I meant a child that could qualify as a lap infant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812804 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:17:54 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2812804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't use a car seat for dd as a toddler. I tried it once and it resulted in soooo much kicking of the person in front of us until I turned her sideways which defeats the purpose. That person never complained and I held her legs down quick as I could but I felt so bad about it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812801 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:13:40 +0000 peachykeen 2812801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with others - car seat is generally a good idea but definitely not required. We've done both car seat and no car seat for DD1 when she was under 2.</p> <p>ETA: We do always gate check the car seats when we don't use them on the plane because I'm nervous about them getting lost/damaged. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812799 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:03:56 +0000 Ms.Mermaid 2812799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kid had her own seat under 2 with no car seat a couple of times. We brought a CARES harness but she was too small for it. Under 2 you can still hold them for takeoff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812794 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 10:37:25 +0000 looch 2812794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have sat my under 2 year old in the seat without a car seat, using just the lap belt on a plane. No issue, as he had his own seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812788 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 10:28:47 +0000 MrsBucky 2812788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were given a hard time once where they tried to give away our sons seat which we had paid for when we didn’t bring his seat. When we explained and showed his ticket the flight attendant made a snotty comment (he should have his car seat) but let us keep his seat. Now that he is old enough that we have to buy him a seat, we always have him sit in a car seat and someone always gives us a hard time about THAT. 🤷🏻‍♀️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812787 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 10:28:31 +0000 kiddosc 2812787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The FAA does not require a car seat and the the child may sit in the seat and be restrained by just the belt. Section 10a</p> <p>"a. Children Under the Age of Two. Under the provisions in parts 121, 125, and 135,<br /> during takeoff, landing, and movement on the surface, each person on board shall occupy an<br /> approved seat or berth with a separate seatbelt properly secured about him/her. However, a<br /> person who has not reached his/her second birthday may be held by an adult occupying a seat or<br /> berth. During takeoff, landing, and movement on the surface, a child under the age of two may<br /> be held in an adult’s lap or be placed in a regular passenger seat and use a standard seatbelt."</p> <p><a href="https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_120-87C.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_120-87C.pdf</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812785 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 10:28:12 +0000 raspberries 2812785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The FAA recommends a car seat, but doesn't require one, so you should be okay without. You could maybe invest in a CARES harness if your child is over 22 lbs? More info here: <a href="https://www.faa.gov/travelers/fly_children/" rel="nofollow">https://www.faa.gov/travelers/fly_children/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812784 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 10:26:39 +0000 catlady 2812784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm confused about this. A lap child would by definition not have their own seat. You just mean a baby younger than 2 without a carseat? I have not done this but maybe look into whether they are big enough to use a CARES harness. That's what we used for our daughter once she reached the size limits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812781 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 10:22:39 +0000 bhbee 2812781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve put an older lap child in an extra open seat and not gotten any complaints. I would maybe check with your specific airline to be sure you don’t end up in a mess depending on the staff that day, but looks like your lap child is older from your profile ... at that age I wouldn’t think anyone would bat an eye as you can definitely take a 2yo with no car seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-car-seat-ok-for-lap-baby#post-2812775 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 10:15:32 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2812775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone flown with a lap baby that had their own seat, but was not in a car seat? A site guest suggested checking the car seat on the post about the Mexican vacation. I thought the FAA required a car seat. Bees in the know hit me with your buzz! </p>