Flying with 15 month old

Barbara - posted on 02/13/2009

I took my daughter on a plane at 9 months. She did fine sitting with me. Agree with the new toys advice. It worked wonders and she slept most of the time.

Mary - posted on 02/13/2009

P.S. Some airline will give you a reduced fare for buying a seat for an infant traveling with you so you might want to check with them.

Mary - posted on 02/13/2009

I think it depends on the size of the plane. I just flew on one of the smaller ones (about 80 seats) and it was really crowded with my 11 month old on my lap and was not a pleasant flight. He didn't have any room to move around. Next time, he'll get his own seat even if it's only to have the empty seat next to me for room for his toys, etc.

Shripriya - posted on 02/13/2009

definately purchase a seat. u and she both would be comfortable. carry some food for her, the type she likes incase she doesn't take to flight food. and encourage her to move arund a bit. my son, when he was 1 1/2 yrs old, absolutely loved moving up and down the aisle while he was awake, and i had a comfortable time with him out of my hair!! lol!

Tianna - posted on 02/13/2009

We have flown both ways, without a seat and with a seat and I strongly recomend with a seat. Not only is your child safer but they have their own space. If you buy a ticket for your child you have or are supposed to take the car seat too. Which always seems to make my daughter more comfortable. She will sleep and play in that seat without a problem. Having taken many flights with her that are at least 5 hours or more by myself and with mulitple people, the seat is still your best option. The major problem with the airlines is that they dont always honor the seat choice you make and you could end up not being close to the other three people and not have enough space for her to play and roam as you are hoping. Also the toys and snacks are great things, but try to schedule your flight near nap time, that helps pass some of the time. We always pack new things for her to play with on the flight and a new book or two. I have never had a bad experience with my child on an airplane but have heard horror stories from others.

Hope you have a great flight.

Rachel - posted on 02/13/2009

I totally took advantage of not having to buy an extra seat until I had to. Since you will have 4 other adults, should definitely not be an issue! Take a camera so you can get pics of her first flight! Have fun! :-)

Jerri - posted on 02/13/2009

I just flew in October with my 13 months old daughter our flight was 4.5 hours i didn't purchase a seat for her, but she had lots of toys and stuff to keep her happy, before we left i purchased a couple new talking books toys she had never played with before, that seemed to keep her really happy! she also enjoyed the cartoons on the back of the seat and wearing the head phones like a big girl! and about every 30 mins or so we would get up and walk to the back of the plane and back to our seat just so she could strech her legs!

Bambi - posted on 02/13/2009

She should be fine bouncing between four people I have a friend that not only bring new liittle toys she wraps them like gifts. Just a little extra thrill for the little ones!

Jill - posted on 02/13/2009

I am traveling with four other adults so I am leaning towards not purchasing a seat for her. Thanks for all the great advice ladies.

Zenaida - posted on 02/11/2009

no bcz u want to have her near u can seat her in ur lap

Robyn - posted on 02/11/2009

Hi Jill, if you are able to choose your seating, take the seats nearest to the front of your section.  These have slightly more legroom, so your baby can walk around a little bit, or even sit on a blanket on the floor.  Bring some toys in a bag and 'surprise' her with something new to play with every half hour or so.  Also, if she uses a soother, have her suck on it for take off and landing so that her ears don't pop.  If she doesn't use a soother, have her drink from a sippy cup (just bring an empty one and ask the flight attendant for some water before take off).  hope this is helpful!

Lisa - posted on 02/11/2009

Hi Jill,

My Family and I flew to Florida in Dec 08, our son was 15months old to when we went and he had his own seat.  Take off and landing they have to sit on ur lap, but he slept better due to having his own seat.

I also took a bag of toys and some of his fav books to plaus lots of health snacks and juice.

Karen - posted on 02/11/2009

I've flown a few times I have 2 girls the first time my youngest was about the same age, MY older was 5,I strongly suggest (if you don't have one already) a portable dvd player, I agree with her own seat even if she ends up on your lap it gives you a little extra room. We bought a new video of one of her favorite characters, so it would keep her interest. Plus the basics always work, crayons coloring books, Good Luck

Rachel - posted on 02/11/2009

If you traveling by yourself, I'd say get the little one a seat; if not, she can bounce between your two seats...the only only thing, bring lots of different types of snacks and candy. THat seemed to be the best way for us to get through the flight...good luck

Rachel - posted on 02/11/2009

Hi, I fly every year or so to Canada, which is a 7 hour flight. I have done this with my children since they were 8 months old. If you are flying with another adult you will have someone who can take over for a while if they don't settle. If you are travelling alone.......you would want to comfort them if they were distressed wouldn't you, and it can be cold on a plane, so if they fall asleep they can keep you warm. So I wouldn't personally have an extra seat for them. As the child gets older, yes get another seat.

Danielle - posted on 02/11/2009

I think you should get her a seat. I went on a trip with my daughter and she needed her own space. Bring lots of snacks and some toys. Good luck to ya.

Michelle - posted on 02/11/2009

I live in NY and my husband and I flew our son to Italy and Israel when he was 13 months old. We did not buy him a seat. We tried to arrange the flights to be during the night. My son just slept on me or played at our feet (we were in the front so there was more space). Try to sit in the front. It helps to have room. This year, my son is 4 and our daughter will be 8 months when we go again. She will sit with me. My advice is to save the money. It can be better spent on souvenirs!!

Kathryn - posted on 02/11/2009

I've flown with my daughter a few times. She slept the whole time in my arms. But for a longer trip I would call the airline and make sure they don't require you to purchase a seat for a flight that long. If they let you just buy one seat I would just do that. It's a lot easier to contain them when they are on your lap.. Window seats are a plus. There is no where for them to run off to.

Wendy - posted on 02/11/2009

We took my son on a 4 hour flight when he was 18 months old and he did fine sitting with us. Just make sure you pack lots of snacks and some new inexpensive toys that you can pull out one at a time as the need arises. If you have a portable dvd player with some of her favourite movies, that might be a good idea also.

Make sure you bring something for her to suck on for the take off. This will prevent her ears from popping - soother, sippie cup, candy suckers etc...

Good luck. My husband and I constantly worried about how our son would do on the plane and were pleasantly suprised with how painless it was.

Wendy - posted on 02/11/2009

As a flight attendant, I would suggest that you do purchase the seat for her (if possible). That way she has some space to go to besides being on your lap.