Flying 2.5 Hours 6 Months Pregnant & with a 16-Month Old

I would buy him his own seat. I traveled 4 months pregnant with an 14 month old on my lap and it was miserable. My son couldn't get comfortable because of the belly in the way and very little room to move. It was a full fight and no extra seats available. The little rows between seats have my son pushing up against me the whole flight.

I would get him his own seat so you are both more comfortable. Check your car seat it will tell you if it is FAA approved, they all have labels on them stating if they are or are not. Bring a small stroller with you and gate check it, this will help you get through the airport easier to have him sitting in it. As for a carry on, just bring what you think you will need for a few hours, the little stores in the airports carry just about everything.

I would buy an extra seat for a number of reasons. I traveled throughout my pregnancy and once my baby was born. Lugging around a car seat, diaper bag etc is a pain but worth it. It is always good to have your child buckled in. If you can afford the extra seat its safer for your son, easier on you during the flight and better for other passengers.

Bring your car seat along and have the stewardesses install it during early boarding for people traveling with small children. Try to book a window seat and middle seat. Its even better if you can arrange to be seated in a row with only two seats. Put the car seat closest to the window so you can easily get in and out of your seat if you need to use the bathroom etc.

If your car seat fits into a stroller bring that and gate check it. They will have it waiting for you at the door to the plane when you land. Otherwise, once you pass through security have them call a courtesy vehicle and get a ride right up to your gate.

Good luck!

Buy him a seat. Please don't count on having a flight with open seats - the days where all planes flew 80% full are over and many many many flights are completely full or overbooked. You are legally allowed to hold your son until he's 2, but imagine being stuck in the window seat (where almost all people with lap babies are put) with a regular sized person sitting next to you. You will no room whatsoever to move your son around, shift him when your back starts to hurt, and you certainly won't be able to lean over to get your bag from under the seat. It's worth the money to get a second seat. Instead of a car seat, check out the CARES harness. They cost about $80 but you can use them from 22lbs - 44lbs and the resale value is great. It will keep your son securely fastened but weighs about 1 pound.

PS. Also talk to your doctor before you go to make sure you're cleared to travel, and for tips on how to make the trip as non-stressful on your growing baby.

I think it depends on your toddler. When I flew FIVE hours with my 15-month-old, I was sooooo grateful to have a seat for him. He's a very active kid, and he really needed that extra space for himself. I got something called a Go-Go Kidz with my credit card points, and it is awesome - puts your car seat on wheels so that you can roll it through the airport like a suitcase (child in it, if you like). This is nice because it makes a stroller unnecessary, too, so you don't have to cart one along.

However, if your child is particularly calm, or you think this flight is short enough for him to sit still, it is absolutely cheaper to fly with him on your lap.

Good luck!

P.S. I was five months pregnant at the time. ^_^

I flew from Texas to Alaska when I was 6.5 mos pregnant. I was suprised I didn't have any problems, however, I've never had trouble with motion sickness until after I gave birth. Ask your ob/gyn if you can have ginger chews. They are excellent to combat motion sickness safely and naturally.

I suggest bringing a carseat. Buy one of those travel dollies that fold up, so you don't have to carry it. Get a skycap to arrange for it to be taken to the gate for you, and ask the ticket agents to make arrangements for you to board early (they usually let families w/small kids board early anyway) so you can have time to install the carseat properly.

I suggest err on the side of safety although it is a bit more for you to carry and buy him a seat. You'll both be more comfortable as well.

You can get a roll-on type carrier and be fine.

You can't count on open seats these days. Isn't it worth the money for everyone to be more comfortable..

Enjoy your trip!

I wouldn't buy a seat for him. most flights have open seats and I am sure the flight attendents will accomadate you. I would just check the car seat, I don't think I would be able to handle all that either. Your son is probably going to want to sit on your lap most of the time. I would bring a portable dvd player with you and play some of his favorites shows or movies. It is a pretty short flight so it will be over before you know it.

I've always held my kids on my lap until they were 2, but you might need to get him a seat for your own comfort due to the belly. Keep in mind if you do buy him a seat, his car seat needs to be FAA approved, so call your airline and find out.

I traveled with my then 7 year old and 18 month old twins last summer (with a helper!). Some things I did to keep the twins entertained: reusable stickers so he can stick them on the tray and move them around w/o damaging anything, mini Magna Doodles, Crayola Color Wonder marker packs, portable DVD players, a few new small toys to get them excited once we were in the air, and LOTS of food!

They always offer me priority seating since I have kids, but I've found that it works better to board last so the kids can run around as much as possible and burn some energy before getting on the plane.

Good luck! :)

I think if you can afford the extra seat, do it. You may both want the personal space and it may make things a little less hectic. I flew once with my son (about 18 mos. at the time) on my lap. He's not very wiggly and we did ok, but I think the extra seat would have been better. I agree not to count on extra seats on the flights. Anymore, they try not to fly a plane unless it's pretty full.

Is it possible the airline/airports can offer assistance to you? I don't know, I didn't fly when I was pregnant, but they offer assistance to the elderly and disabled. Perhaps they will be able to make some accommodations for you or help you in some way? I don't know, but it won't hurt to ask. Sounds like some other ladies have some helpful tips, too. Good luck!

I flew alone for 5 hours at 4 mos. pregnant with a one year old on my lap and a three year old next to me. I pushed a double stroller through the airport with a carseat on my back (like a backpack) toting a big suitcase, with a diaper bag and a carry on bag hung on the stroller. It wasn't fun, but it was do-able. It was worth the $300 I would have had to pay for an extra seat, at least to me. I also flew to Germany during the same pregnancy when I was 7 mos. along (the kids had their own seats at that point). Your flight is 2.5 hours. Unless you are really big by now (every pregnancy is different), sit him on your lap, bring some NEW toys that you break out during the flight, and it'll be over before you know it. .
One more thing I forgot to add. Sometimes if the flight isn't full, the attendants at the desk will assign you a seat that has a vacancy next to it. It hasn't happened every time, but most of the time I've traveled with a lap-baby, they see my situation and generously give me an 'extra' seat even though I haven't technically paid for one. You could even ask at the desk how full the flight is and if there will be extra room. Just thought I'd throw that out there.