Ani, I sympathise, but be thankful you don't have twins.

And an older toddler as well.

Dear Ani, please, buy your little one an airplane seat. If the plane hits bad turbulence your dear daughter could fly out of your arms before you could even realize it. You don't even want to think about the results of that happening, but maybe that is the problem, and I say it in the kindest way possible, you probably haven't thought of the consequences of what could happen.

And on a less serious note with the lack of space on airlines you and your toddler will have the most miserable nine hours imaginable.

Best wishes to you for a good decision.

Yeah - I never got how parents could entrust their infants to those bulkhead clip-on cribs.

The odds of encountering Clear Air Turbulence are vanishingly small, but the consequences of doing so are unimaginably grave. There are any number of Flight Attendants on permanent disability from breaking their necks on the ceiling when CAT hit unexpectedly.

Ani, why don't you purchase an umbrella stroller? Very inexpensive, under $20.00, rather flimsy but does the job. You could even purchase one at a resale baby store for a couple of dollars. We recently traveled to Hawaii with my one year old granddaughter and having her own seat was a blessing.

Check with the car rental place about a car seat. Most rental agencies offer car seats at minimal cost or no charge if you book in advance - that would eliminate one thing to worry about!

Consider buying an inexpensive "umbrella" style stroller for the trip. It will be easier to manage when you are there, and will allow you to carry it on, and check the bulky backpack.

Is it really too late to buy a child seat? If so, that means the flight is sold out, and you won't have any chance of getting an empty seat anyway. Maybe there is still space on your return flight?

Treesa-we need a stroller that reclines and has a basket underneath (we purchased the one we have specifically for our needs on this trip and have always had it gate checked). Thanks though.

And again, the flight is sold out. I cannot now get her a seat but I will definately be losing sleep over not having done so.

Ani, I don't feel most people were being "judgemental". Your initial post was upset and hoping for unrealistic results from the airline. You ended up doing what we all figured... that you need to check-thru most of the stuff.

As for having numerous friends who advise and prefer to keep kids on their lap on long flights, honestly I can't explain that one.

I think this post may be helpful to others who need a more generous carry-on allotment... British Air is simply not the place to find one.

sockboy: I really have planned this trip very very carefully-so aside from the current concerns I have reasons for everything else we are bringing.

I have rented a car seat from a car rental before and will never EVER do it again. Unsafe, old, dirty-and thats IF they actually have one ready for you.

Ani.. .you seem pretty frustrated.. and unwilling to accept any suggestions. There is nothing anyone on this board can do for you. You're on your own... Good luck.

Ani, I was a bit puzzled when you said that your friends recommended not getting a seat "especially with an overnight flight." Did they mean that you should count on their being an empty seat? Why would that be true especially for an overnight flight? It seems to me that the longer the flight, the less you'd want to have a kid sitting on your lap.

Not quite... i still have one more suggestion... if you want to change your mind about purchasing a seat, couldn't you "wait-list" with the airlines. Especially if you explain the problem, they might put you first in line if/when any 1 passenger on the flight cancels or no-shows.

Sorry if my post was duplicating what Treesa said, we posted at the same time, so I hadn't seen her comment. I hadn't considered the quality of rental car seats, may as well bring yours along! So long as its checked it won't be a hassle.

I still think getting an umbrella stroller is a good idea, even if it is in addition to the big one you want to use while you are there. Get a cheapo 2nd hand one, and only use it in the airports between the time you check your bags and pick them up. If you have a car the whole time you are there it doesn't really matter how much junk you have with you. One small stroller won't take up much space, and will allow you to eliminate your final worry about the backpack.

When our kids were small, we bought the cheapest, lightest weight stroller we could find speficially to use on flights.

I'm scratching my head. You mention you'll be touring sites on this trip (presumably not just visiting relatives or such). Why did you think it'd be a good idea to take a 17-month old touring in Europe? What do you think she will get out of it?

Perhaps you should have waited until she was old enought to enjoy such a trip. By then you would have presumably been able to save enough money for a third seat.

I pity the folks on your plane.

You know my theroy about takin your kids abroad....

Leave them home along with the pets until they are 21.

shame on you guys, now you're just being mean.

Unfortuantly anytime a thread discusses little ones and flying at some point the posts start going downhill.

Hey Ani,

My best wishes for you trip. Don't listen to those berating you for bringing your child on your trip. I think is ia great to travel as a family. I really hope that everything goes well. I second the suggestion to call the airline and see if you can be put on a waiting list for an open seat.

Ani
I wish you well on your trip, and your plans to take your child are yours to make. However, when you do a posting about 'freaking out' and being 'stunned' and basically just wanting to vent your momentary upset, which is fine, I don't see why you would then resent others venting their feelings as well.

well put elaine, thank you.