thread: Baby Bjorn safe to use while flying?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    May 2010
    2

    Baby Bjorn safe to use while flying?

    Next week we are flying Melbourne-Sydney-Singapore with a our 12 week old.
    After making several calls to Qantas it appears we have missed out on a bassinet for our Singapore-Melbourne trip home.
    We will take the Baby Bjorn with us but I am nervous about using the Baby Bjorn as I want to ensure he can still breathe if I fall asleep during the flight.
    I have heard of people rolling up a small cloth to place against the baby's chest so they are positioned slightly away from their parents chest.

    Does any one have any suggestions ?

    He is quite big for 12 weeks of age (weighs approx 7 kilos) head control is getting quite good, maybe I can face him foward in the baby bjorn?


    I'm new to bb so please let me know if this is posted in the wrong place.

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Add CrazyLady on Facebook

    Aug 2009
    2,328

    I am pretty sure i read that most airlines won't let you use baby carriers while flying. I think it's in case of emergency they can get the baby asap if needed. Someone correct me if I'm wrong please ......

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Jun 2005
    Perth
    1,454

    I was under the same impression as well Crazylady - baby carriers arent allowed.

    Unfort if you missed out on the bassinet you will most probably just have to hold him for the duration of the flight.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Sep 2009
    Melbourne
    1,164

    Unfortunately you are not allowed to use baby carriers during a flight, As CrazyLady said it's to do with their in case of emergency procedures. I know you can bring a carseat for them to travel in but then obviously you would have to purchase an extra ticket.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    home sweet home.
    1,995

    Yep, they're not allowed. I always though this was unfair until an air hostess explained it's because if you need to put on a life jacket, you need to get bub out first and there may not be time.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Oct 2008
    Newport, VIC
    1,885

    Not to be different, but I've used my baby carrier (close baby carrier then ergo) on every flight that I've been on. I'm not allowed to use it for take off and landing but once we are up in the air it's no problem.

    I find that by having a seat up against the window and using a pillow I can get pretty comfy when holding him. I even managed a snooze.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    May 2010
    2

    Thanks everyone, just got off the phone to Qantas and was told that Baby Bjorn is fine to use during flight but Murphy's Law we'll get on board to find that we're not allowed! Will give it a shot.

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Add STARRYSKY on Facebook Follow STARRYSKY On Twitter

    Aug 2007
    adelaide
    1,989

    I used my hug a bub to carrY J onto the plane, then took him out for take off, put the seatbelt onhim, then after take off, put him back in, had to take him out and put seatbelt back on for landing as well.

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Add Little Chicken on Facebook

    Mar 2010
    Melbourne
    1,855

    I used my baby bjorn when flying from perth to melbourne. No-one told me I couldn't. You still need to place the infant seatbelt around bub and not the carrier. I just undid the top latches so if DD needed to be taken out in a hurry it could happen.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Mar 2009
    Sunshine Coast
    2,075

    I think fionaw is right I have used my babywrap which is the same as a hug a bub and the only restriction was that your not allowed to use it for take off and landing and the reason is that that is time most likely to crash and need to be able to get baby out for emergency proceedures. besides I wanted to feed my baby during those times to help with her ears. whether u ff or bf it can be good to do to help them cope. I have been on about 10 flights around australia with her now and never had a problem. they make u take them out at security too which is a PITA!

    Good luck

  11. #11

    Mar 2009
    Vietnam
    382

    I used an Ergo carrier when I flew Brisbane to Ho Chi Minh City in January. DD was nine weeks old then. I carried her on the plane in it, then held her on my lap with the baby lap seat belt on for take off. I had booked a bassinet but when I boarded the flight attendants told me the holes in the wall were missing so they couldn't give me one. I was moved back a few rows to where there was an empty seat and I put the seat halfway down (in business class) and buckled her up and she went to sleep. (I woke her up after five and a half hours because I was worried. She'd never slept that long before, was a clockwork three-hourly feeder.) Even though I was exhausted I was too scared to sleep in case something happened to her. I was worried we'd hit turbulance and her little body would be damaged because I had her buckled up. But of course she was fine. And the Ergo was a lifesaver when I had to deal with all the bags and fill out a missing luggage form at the other end. I was traveling alone that time.

    Flying Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore earlier this month we did the same thing. No bassinet or spare seat, but it was only a two hour flight and she was happy enough to sit on our laps. I think the noise and motion of the plane was very relaxing for her both times. I didn't keep her in the carrier during the flights because I found a comfortable position for both of us with the lap belt on. She slept for about half an hour on that flight.

    Good luck. I'm sure everything will be fine.

    I know why you are worried about the baby being smothered in the carrier. I am still worried that DD will suddenly stop breathing. Although SIDS awareness is great, I think it's getting a bit overdone - it makes new Mums so paranoid. I know there was a news story a few months ago - maybe last year - about a Mum smothering her baby on a plane. But I think that kind of thing is incredibly rare, which is why it was reported so widely.

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Oct 2008
    Newport, VIC
    1,885

    Bella29 - I know, the security thing is a pain! When I had my close baby carrier the metal rings set off the alarms so I had to take Mitchell out. However this is another reason why I love my ergo - no metal! I've been through a few different security gates with him now, including airports and I haven't had to take him out. Very handy, especially as I normally travel on my own.

    Loulita - just another thing I thought of - if there is room the airline will normally block out the seat next to you if they can. Just ring up and ask. Hope it goes well.