It’s funny that we take such care to make sure our kids our safely restrained when riding in a car, but we don’t when we fly. Granted, the possibility of a child getting hurt while riding around in a car is much higher, though I remember the days growing up of lounging around the back seat of my parents impala without a seatbelt. It was such a wide car that I could fully lie across the backseat without having to bend my knees. But then I was only four. When we fly, we don’t think about the turbulence during take off and landings or even in mid-flight. Sometime those bumps can be jarring and the little lap belt really doesn’t hold small children in place.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly urges parents to secure children in an appropriate restraint based on weight and size. If you are flying with a child under four, ask your airline if they carry a child restraint system (CRS). Sometimes the child’s carseat won’t fit in the standard airline seat and would have to be checked underneath the plane. That leaves parents with not many options. For small babies, you can carry them in a sling, but they are not approved for take off and landings. Another alternative is using a child flight vest, like the Baby B’air. It is working on getting FAA approval for use during take off and landings, but it also allows you to restrain a child sitting in your lap and lets you be hands free.
For older children, there is the CARES Flight Harness. It is approved for take off and landings and fits most airline seats.
For more tips from the FAA about their recommendations for flying with your children and using a CRS, check out their site at this link.
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