Lap Children at risk on Flights - Page 5

[beru]

I think this post has been very informative. I have been exposed to specific stats. I totally respect those who fly with lap babies. They are definitely not taking a crazy risk or anything. I think most of us agree that flying with a lap baby is safer than driving.

I almost always buy a seat for my babies. The one time I didn't, it was very uncomfortable. My then 9 month old was not happy in my lap unless she was nursing. She was uncomfortable. She was much more comfortable in her carseat. I was also angry and agitated about being told there was not an extra seat for her and then taking off in a plane that was half empty. For my next trip I was weighing whether or not I would buy a seat for her. Having her be safer is a plus of course. But the deciding factor for me was my peace of mind and her comfort. I spent $350 for that flight. I was probably paying $150 for extra safety and $200 for our sanity. I think if my baby hated her carseat and was happy sitting in my lap during flights, I would not buy a seat for her.

We are thinking of flying to Germany to visit relatives. That will be a hefty ticket. I definitely plan to buy a seat for the baby and the factors are the same as above-part safety, part mental and physical comfort.

I wonder, do those of you who are calling this article scare tactics respect my choice of buying a seat? Specifically, Kiera, why are you so worked up about this? It seems so much like an either or situation to me. I think you provide great info to help others make an informed decision. But I also feel as if you think those who make the opposite decision then you are being foolish...

[Kiera09]

Originally Posted by beru

I wonder, do those of you who are calling this article scare tactics respect my choice of buying a seat? Specifically, Kiera, why are you so worked up about this? It seems so much like an either or situation to me. I think you provide great info to help others make an informed decision. But I also feel as if you think those who make the opposite decision then you are being foolish...

I completely respect your choice to do as you see fit. Why wouldn't I?

Do I think it's a waste of money - yes. But it's your money to waste.

I think that the answer is so much more complicated than "It's safer to use a carseat - so everyone should"...

At 9 months, the only way my DD didn't scream until she puked (within 5 minutes or so) when strapped into a carseat was if she either fell asleep because we did it at naptime, or one of us sat next to her and we played a specific loud rock music CD. And that might get us 20 minutes.

So - I object to the insinuation that I'm a bad/negligent mom for making the choice that I did.

I looked up the stats and found that the risks involved were VERY VERY small. The cab ride (with a carseat) out to the airport was far more risky. I was happy to take that risk.

I do think that the article is one written without actual information meant to scare parents into buying seats and using carseats for their small ones. I am a BIG believer is providing people with facts and letting them make their own choices. And the article doesn't do that. It sounds just like many anti-cosleeping articles I've read. "Don't do it - your baby could DIE!!!!!!"

[beru]

Oh, I see. I am sorry that I suspected you were being disrespectful. It seems you are just feeling defensive. But please don't. I respect your position and I bet most of us do. If I had a kid that hated her carseat I would make the same choice as you. So I can imagine being in the same boat as you but I don't think I would feel the need to be so defensive about that article. I did not feel that it condemned parents for flying with lapbabies. It did state that lap babies are safer than babies travelling by car in carseats, afterall. I think a lot of parents simply do not know that flying in carseats is safer than flying with lap babies (even if just incrementally you should admit) and the article is trying to be informative on that point. But you have made me come around to the fact that that article isn't very good at reaching its goal. I like your analogy with the cosleeping articles.

Originally Posted by Kiera09

I completely respect your choice to do as you see fit. Why wouldn't I?

Do I think it's a waste of money - yes. But it's your money to waste.

I think that the answer is so much more complicated than "It's safer to use a carseat - so everyone should"...

At 9 months, the only way my DD didn't scream until she puked (within 5 minutes or so) when strapped into a carseat was if she either fell asleep because we did it at naptime, or one of us sat next to her and we played a specific loud rock music CD. And that might get us 20 minutes.

So - I object to the insinuation that I'm a bad/negligent mom for making the choice that I did.

I looked up the stats and found that the risks involved were VERY VERY small. The cab ride (with a carseat) out to the airport was far more risky. I was happy to take that risk.

I do think that the article is one written without actual information meant to scare parents into buying seats and using carseats for their small ones. I am a BIG believer is providing people with facts and letting them make their own choices. And the article doesn't do that. It sounds just like many anti-cosleeping articles I've read. "Don't do it - your baby could DIE!!!!!!"