Best airline rates for infant in seat?

First of all, let me tell you how happy I am that you are going to have a seat for your child. It is so true that lap children have a higher incident of injuries (and death) should there be turbulence or any other kind of emergency. I used CRS' for my children when they were small, and I plan on using one for my next child (she's due in December!). Because of all the traveling I do, I have seen first hand some of the dangers associated with lap children when there is turbulence. There are two major things that happens: 1.) Either the parents hold on to the child (and being an adult and not wanting anything bad to happen to the child) they hold on too tightly and can fracture bones, cause bruises, or other injuries to their own child. 2.) The force of the turbulence is too strong and parents loose grip of their children and children have fallen under chairs, slammed into the chair in front of them, etc. I won't go into more detail since you are already going to get a seat for your son, but please rest assured it is the best decision.

Since you are going to have a seat for your child, I advise using a CRS (Child Restraint System) because it is safe for the child - especially during turbulence, makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, will help your child sleep, and gives both of you the opportunity to relax a bit.

A CRS is a hard-backed child or infant safety seat that is approved by the government for use in both motor vehicles and aircraft.

In order to be certified for use on an airplane, the car seat has to met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (most car seats have this). Check the labels on the side of your car restraint for a sticker (words will be printed in red) for verification that your seat is safe for airplane use.

There is also a new device that is approved by the FAA for airline use ONLY. It is called CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) and costs $75. It weighs 1 pound, is certified for all phases of flight (taxiing, take off, turbulence and landing), adjusts to fit ALL size airplane seats, and is approved for kids 22–44 lbs.

http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

Many airlines offer half-price tickets so parents can be guaranteed that their child can travel in a CRS device (Car Seat). You should call different airlines to ask for a discount and/or ask what the airline's policy is for using empty seats.

Usually you will find that child discounts and/or discounts for using CRS devices are only available on the more commercialized airlines, not the discount ones. In any case though, you should definitely ask the airline about their empty seat policy and how full they expect the plane to be the day of your departure. If they allow the use of empty seats (most do) and they don't expect to be full, (if you want to risk it) you could get a seat for your child for absolutely nothing.

I've been flying internationally with my children since they were 2 months (now 7&5). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone, and we do 8-10 other flights (internationally and domestically) as a family each year. Here are some other tips and advise that have always worked for me and I hope will work for you too:

1.) You will need to have all your child's documents in order. It is a good idea to keep a copy of his notarized birth certificate with you. If it is an international trip, you will need a passport and possibly a visa for your son as well. Verify what travel documents you will need in advance to make sure you have everything.

2.) You can take a stroller and gate check it. This means that you will be able to use it all the way up until the time that you board, and one of the handlers will take it and put it in a special compartment for you. When you exit the plane, it will be waiting for you at the door as well.

Here's a product that can attach to most car seats so that you can use it as a stroller and get it through the airport more easily. http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html

3.) For take-offs and landings, the best thing you can do to help with the ear popping, is if your son is nursing, nurse him. If he is not nursing, give your son a bottle or something to drink (formula, milk, water, juice- it doesn't matter) or a pacifier.

Baby formula is fine to take, and you are not limited to the amount you can bring aboard (as long as your child is with you), do not worry.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/fo...

For my children (after I stopped nursing) I brought along plenty of clean bottles, and either the container of powdered formula or those little packets that make one bottle (the packets that look like a Crystal Light Tea mix). I never had any problems with those, and just had the flight attendants heat of some mineral water for me, and I mixed it when it was time to feed them.

New regulations allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz (100ml), -OR- beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food, just add water packets of food, cheerios, goldfish, animal crackers, dried fruit, etc. with you also.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/...

Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the Flight Attendants will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it.

Another trick is that if your child is not taking to the pacifier or wanting to drink, gently rub his neck from the chin down to the chest several times - this will cause a swallowing motion which will help with the ears popping.

You can also place hot damp towels (usually like the ones distributed to first and business class before take-off and landing to freshen up with - just ask a flight attendant for them) or paper towels that have been soaked in hot water and wrung out at the bottom of two paper or styrofoam cups, then hold the cups over the ears to help with the ear popping.

4.) Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your child, such as a few books, toys, a portable DVD player (or a laptop) with a few movies, and one or two comfort things such as a favorite blankie or stuffed animal.

My children like to bring along their own coloring books, a Doodle Pad, their Leap Pads (with a few booklets), and scrap paper that they can make their own drawings with and play games such as tic-tac-toe. My daughter used to like to bring along a doodle bear when she was younger so that she could draw on that as well, and my son likes to bring along some action figures to play with. I found that buying a Rose Art kit from Target (about $5 for the small one and $10 for the large one) is great! It has crayons, markers, coloring books, coloring sheets, and stickers that they can color. It definitely keeps them entertained!

You can also play games like pat-a-cake, or I-spy, and tell stories to your child as well. If you tell a story, try to make it an interactive one where your child has a part in it so he stays interested. This is also a good time to explain things that are happening or going to happen on the plane, and ask questions, such as what do you think the weather is going to be like when we land? etc.

You might also consider going to the store and letting your child pick out his own carry on bag and a few inexpensive toys that will be used only once on the plane. Be sure to pick out a few toys without him seeing so that he has an extra surprise when he opens his carry on.

Don't be afraid to get up and walk the aisles with your child. This will help to break up the length of the flight and let him stretch his muscles. In fact, this is good for all of you to do.

5.) Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child. You will need this in case he gets sick, spills something on himself, or in case your luggage gets lost.

6.) Keep your diaper bag well stocked with plenty of diapers, wipes, ointments and other essential things. Just remember the new law regulating liquids, gels, and such and pack accordingly. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm You can usually find travel size baby products in stores and they are wonderful for plane use.

You should be respectful of other passengers and always change your child's diaper in the restroom. They do have diaper bed changers in there, although they can be a little small. Usually the bathrooms with the diapers beds are the handicap ones (tend to be at the rear of most planes), so they tend to be a little bit bigger and it does help.

I also know some people who say that instead of using the changing table, they say to put the toilet seat down, use the toilet as a seat for yourself, and lay the baby across your knee to change their diaper.

I personally think the best way to do it (still in the bathroom) is to change their diaper while they are standing up. It may seem odd, but I have actually found that it is an easier way to change diapers for older babies while on a plane!

To make it easier on yourself, make sure that you undress your child so that he has just a diaper on while at your seat. Grab your diaper, wipes, and ointment or baby powder (whatever you use for changing your sons diaper) and head to the bathroom. This will help to make the procedure faster and easier.

7.) Keep your doctors name and number with you. Also get the name and number of a doctor where you are visiting in case an emergency should come up.

Make sure you have a check-up with your doctor before leaving to make sure your child is healthy enough to fly. If your child has even a slight cold, the pressure in his ears during take-off and landing (even if you do the precaution methods) could leave his ears aching for days after the flight.

Most doctors recommend that if anyone is sick (such as being stuffed up or already having an earache), not to take the flight because of the potential damage to the ears. I know my husband and other pilots do not work if they are sick because of this danger.

8.) Bring any medications that you might need for your child should she get sick or that she takes regularly. Remember that if they are not prescription medications, the 3oz (100ml) rule applies to them and they must be kept in a clear plastic bag.

http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

Do NOT give your child medicine with the hopes of it making him sleep. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.

9.) Keep your calm. If you get stressed out, your child can pick up on it and it will make the travel that much harder.

10.) Last but not least, if help is offered to you, take it.

If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.

its eaither to your lap at no cost or his possess seat for complete rate when you consider that the airline can promote that equal seat to a further individual at complete rate. While you son is traditionally 1 / 4 the burden of a completely grown individual, the airways philosphy is that they may be able to get anyone else in on the complete rate - in any other case there might be many extra toddlers on flights!! So he's going to both have got to be to your lap or in a further seat at complete rate.