Sling for sleeping baby while mum sitting down in airplane?

Hi All,

I already have an Ergo carrier which my 4 month old is just about ready for, but I'm needing something that will help support him while I'm sitting in a plane that doesn't have a baby capsule.

I don't want to buy another sling, so was wondering if anyone has ideas of a particular make-your-own sling that works well in the seated position for wearer, but OK for babies of my DS size (almost 7kg, 65cm long). My arms/shoulders get so sore holding him when he's sleeping and has all his weight on me.

I've had a look at the "wear your baby" website, but not sure what might work best.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

I have flown with virgin and qantas and I was not allowed to have Flynn in a sling either time. I made a sling out of a sheet, it didn't work that well when I was standing up, I just wanted to have him feeling snug and secure so he would sleep during the flight. They made me take it off and I was not allowed to put it back on during the flight. They give you an extra infant seat belt which secures to your seat belt, but does bugger all IMO! Anyway don't buy a new sling, you won't be allowed to use it. It is CASA rules not the airline, they are just doing their job even tho it is a PITA!

Oh how annoying !!! Thanks for the warning Catherine. Hmm.. might have to re-think and use little pillows or something.

Yes very annoying! How far are you going?

How interesting, we will be flying with DS when he is 6 mo and i was going to use my ergo...........
Will be watching this thread to see what others have done

you can make a mei tai. or ring sling.
would borrowing one be an option? baby carriers downunder have a loaner database

Hi I flew Qantas and British Airways and both times could use my pouch with DD - only had to use the infant seat belt for take off and landing - but this was 2 years ago so not sure if things have changed. Also, try and get a seat with a baby bassinette to see if he will sleep in that, DD didn't like them...

Good luck,
Laurin

About 4-5 hrs (Perth to Brisbane).. Hi Kristy, I do have the Ergo but not the infant insert, and thought that it would be too uncomfy for DS to sleep with his legs apart like that..
I might try a making a ring sling and hope that they'll let me use it. Otherwise I guess I'll be reclining my economy seat as far back as it goes to support bub on my chest and probably annoying the person behind! :rolleyes:

Sharon, you would be suprised how comfy the ergo is, DS always falls asleep in his but not for 4-5 like you are flying, also his legs arent sticking out the side either, one is out and the other is tucked up froggy style - very cute - so yes, it might be a bit too uncomfy. Now i will have to rethink what we will use (our flight is only 2 hours though).

Can you borrow another sling? How long are you going for? I have a peanut shell that i could lend you depending on when you are going away (we have a wedding coming up and we will be travelling away for 5 days so will need it for then) but other wise i'm sure DS wont miss it too much

I flew qantas (mini tin can size) from brisbane to bundaberg and hade to have dd in a extension seatbelt on my lap. I found that I was able to have her in that and still breastfeed at the same time. It was comfy and it helped with take off and landing. I didn't take a sling (only a short flight) but I doubt that a lot of airlines would be absolutely sticklers for rules. I think that a sling would be more supportive and safe than the silly extension lap belt.
I would be ringing the airline and checking the regulations just so that you know, but be aware that some airline hostesses think they know best and will tell you THEIR way not necessarily the airlines way. (I had one of those and she didn't mess with me a second time)

As for a sling, I'd say a shoulder sling would work best. You could book your seat allocation with bubs head towards the window so as to not get bumped along the aisle. Borrow one though...or make do with a decent sarong or sari.

Have a great flight

Ring slings are great. Easy to adjust & can be used in so many different positions :)
I hope you get to use one.

When I flew Perth to Sydney I didn't bring DDs sling but another lady had her boy in a sling and no one told her to remove it :dunno: You can request a seat with a basinette if that's of any help to you.

I flew last week (as well as numerous other times) and the only time that I couldn't have DS in a carrier was take-off/landing. The rule only applies to when the seatbelt sign is on, as all passengers must wear a belt.

Also, for anyone travelling from Sydney, security will make you take a baby out of a carrier (regardless of the type of carrier, including ones without metal) when going through the detectors. As far as I know, no other airport in Australia enforces this. So a carrier that is easy in, easy out is helpful.

I have personally found mei tais to be a PITA on a plane because there is very little room to tie them - if you want to put on the carrier before getting off the plane, everyone stands so squashed up in the aisle that the only way to do it is in the seat well, which is very cramped - unless you leave it tied, which can make bf-ing a bit tricky (and is uncomfortable sitting on a plane for hours with knots behind your back), and makes putting a taller baby in difficult without belting its head on the overhead locker.

You could make a stretchy rebozo length wrap (about 2.2mtrs) out of cotton jersey (which doesn't fray, so you wouldn't even need to hem the edges if you don't want) - as your bub is still only small jersey will still be supportive enough, especially just for the plane. Tie it in a slip knot which sits at corsage position, and it can be used in cradle carry or hip/tummy to tummy position. Basically it would be used like a ring sling without rings - could be a cheap and useful alternative. I've used a short woven wrap tied in a slip knot and found it to be very comfortable, easy to adjust and portable.

You might find 'thebabywearer' site helpful for tips on DIY carriers, and it also has a section on different wrap ties which includes instructions on how to pre-tie a slip knot and other rebozo length carries.

If you just want the security for bub rather than the airline supplied harness google "baby b'air". It is a vest that goes between their legs and has a long loop which goes through your seatbelt. It should be quite comfy. I have bought one for our trip to canada as Air Canada don't have bassinets for 12months olds:doh:. You still have to use their harness for take off and landing but can use it inflight. I might look at the rebozo sling too as that might be comfy. I will have my pikkolo for the airports but it is not comfy sitting down.

Are you sure you can't get a bassinett? Definately ask.

I also got caught having to take bub out of a sling (at 3 months) and put on the stupid seatbelt harness. For me they were only one hour flights and I wasn't told that i only had to use it for take-off and landing, I was just told I had to use it. They said I needed to "sit" him up.. .i'm like.. yeah he's 3 months old. I just kinda laid him across my lap, but I would have thought you could probably use a kinda ring sling or something homemade in conjunction with the seatbelt harness (which is really just a waist belt for the baby that clips onto your belt... so you just have to line their waist up with yours IYKWIM). If I was doing a longer flight, I'd probably just leave the infant restraint on if I could get bub sleeping comfortably - saves having to reshuffle just for their stupid restraint.

Incidentally DS was actually 7kg at the time and a similar length and I found I could lie him across my lap and lean my arm on the armrest with his head/upperbody on that arm so I wasn't holding his entire body weight, he was just resting on me. If you're travelling on your own you just want to make sure you've got everything you need in the seat pocket - it's impossible to get to your feet!

Oh and while melb airport didn't make me take him out of our baby bjorn harness at security, hobart airport did! :doh: Oh and don't wear long boots under your jeans and a belt! I had to take both boots & belt off whilst wearing bubs in the harness (turned out the belt buckle was metal). The entire queue of ppl I think had great entertainment watching me. It was sneakers & trackydacks on the way back, that's for sure!!

GL with it :) oh and I flew virgin & jetstar.

I had bub in a hugabub at the airport, but had to take it off at security... On the plane bub was comfy on all the little airline cushions/blankets on my lap with his head on my arm resting on the arm rest. This way I could keep him in the child's seatbelt (even while breastfeeding) which meant I didn't have to wake him up when the seatbelt sign came on (international flight with lots of turbulence) as bub wasn't allowed to stay in the bassinet when the seatbelt sign came on. He was comfy and slept well and it wasn't too hard on me.

Thanks so much girls, all your replies have been really helpful!

Suz, I do have a length of cotton jersey i used as a front wrap cross when DS was newborn, maybe it's wide enough to try as a modified ring sling, will give it a go.

Otherwise i'll just be prepared for using pillows etc and the armrest.

Kristy, thanks so much for the peanut offer! My friend has one and loves it! But for the purpose of the flight i might just give the home made one a go and bring along my ergo.

I'm pretty sure our plane doesn't have baby basinettes as it's a smaller plane. A friend of mine works for qantas so i'll ask her what the policy on slings are.

Cheers
Sharon

Do you want to borrow my infant insert? I can sent it to you ASAP... I am not using it??? xo