Yes, while legally a 9-month-old can fly as a "lap infant" (under 2 years old), it's strongly recommended by safety experts (FAA, AAP) to buy them their own seat and use an approved car seat for maximum protection against turbulence, as lap infants aren't secured and can be thrown from arms during sudden movement, so it's the safest option for them.
When you travel with a child under 2 years old, you may choose to travel with the child on your lap (Infant-in-Arms) or travel with your child in an FAA-approved child safety seat. To use a FAA-approved safety seat, you must purchase a ticket for your child so they have a reserved seat.
Keep Your Kids Safe When They Fly
The safest place for your child under the age of two on a U.S. airplane is in approved child restraint system (CRS) or device, not in your lap. Your arms aren't capable of holding your in-lap child securely, especially during unexpected turbulence.
The safest way for baby to fly
Infants weighing less than 20 pounds should be buckled into a rear-facing car seat during airplane travel. Children who weigh 20 to 40 pounds should be restrained in a car seat. They should not be switched to using just the airplane's lap belt until they reach at least 40 pounds.
They accommodate car seats if you've bought a ticket but certainly do not require them. The view of the AAP is that you should always buy a seat for a child, even if they are young enough to be a lap infant, and that you should use a car seat until 40 pounds, which for most kids would be in the age range of 4 to 6.
Airplane Travel Harness
The Cares harness is also the only harness that is approved for all stages during the flight. Meaning that this is the only car seat alternative that can be used during take off, and landing.
Children must normally use a child car seat until they're 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first. Children over 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seat belt. You can choose a child car seat based on your child's height or weight.
✈️ What's the hardest age to fly with kids? Research points to the toddler window (12–24 months) — when little ones are mobile, curious, and full of big emotions, but not yet able to sit still or self-regulate. 👶 Newborns can often fly once cleared by their doctor (many recommend after 2–3 months).
Red flags for 9-month-olds include lack of eye contact, not responding to their name, not babbling sounds like "mama" or "dada," inability to sit without support or bear weight on legs, not reaching for or looking at objects, and using one side of the body much more than the other; these signs warrant a check with a pediatrician to ensure proper development.
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
You can check one car seat and one stroller or folding wagon per child you're traveling with, for free. This can be done at the gate or ticket counter. Large or non-collapsible strollers, and non-folding wagons must be checked at the ticket counter. However, they're also free.
Although it is not mandatory, the FAA recommends that all children have their own seat and are in a properly installed and used car seat. When it is time for take-off or landing, children in a carrier must be removed, and held in an adult's lap or put in their seat, per FAA requirements.
First, choose the bulkhead, the window, and near the toilets. These seats are the most convenient spots for families when flying. Second, if you have an infant, get a bulkhead seat, and request a bassinet, a crib that attaches to the cabin's front wall.
The 2-hour rule for babies means they shouldn't stay in a car seat (or travel system seat) for more than two hours at a time, whether in or out of the car, because the semi-upright position can strain their developing spine and restrict their breathing, increasing the risk of low oxygen levels, especially for newborns and preemies. For long journeys, parents should take breaks every two hours to take the baby out, allow them to lie flat for a while, stretch, and feed, ensuring they get proper head/neck support and circulation.
Air travel is typically safe for most healthy, full-term infants after the first few weeks. Air travel may not be a good idea for babies born before their due date, called premature or pre-term. Babies born early may still need time for their lungs to mature.
Engage In Distractions
Distractions are extremely valuable in calming crying babies during plane travel. Even the simplest items or activities can have a big impact. You can make the little ones' time in the loud and metal contraption easier.
Your baby will make noises to get your attention and use body language to communicate with you. But they might also say 'dada' or 'mama' and know what these words mean. If your baby is an early talker, they might be using 1-2 other words as well.
Around 9 months they begin to learn that something may still be close, even if they can't see it. An example is a ball rolling out of the room. At nine months they now realise that the ball is just around the corner, not gone completely. This has significant impact on parents as this is peak separation-anxiety time.
Signs That May Indicate a Delay
Delays in achieving milestones may be a temporary variation in development, but some signs suggest a need for further evaluation: By 6 months: Lack of social smiles or minimal response to caregivers. By 9 months: Not babbling or showing little interest in social interactions.
Simple ways to protect your baby's ears
Sucking and swallowing help equalise pressure. Offer a dummy if used: The sucking action can relieve pressure when feeding is not due. Keep baby awake for ascent and descent: Swallowing is less frequent in sleep, so try gentle play or a cuddle to keep them alert for these phases.
The "9-Minute Rule" for kids, or the 9-Minute Theory, suggests parents focus on three 3-minute interaction blocks daily for strong emotional connection: right after waking, right after school/daycare, and right before bed, using these transition times for mindful, distraction-free connection to build security and happiness, reducing parental guilt.
Key Takeaways. Newborns and young infants should not spend more than two hours in their car seats. The two-hour rule should be honored until babies can sit up unassisted and have full head and neck control.
Children aged under 7 years must use an approved suitable child restraint when travelling in a vehicle. A child restraint is a forward‑facing or rear-facing child car seat (also referred to as a baby car seat or baby capsule), or a booster seat.
As part of the 360 Family, the Pearl 360 can be used from 3 months up to 4 years old (approx. 105 cm). It can also be used directly from birth, in combination with a comfy newborn inlay (sold separately).