by Emily Crawford

Created on: August 30, 2008   Last Updated: September 01, 2008

When an airplane enters turbulent air, the "fasten seat belt" light glows and most passengers dutifully click their lap belts. However, almost gone are the days of hoisting a small child onto your lap and engaging in the human seat belt embrace. While airlines are merely beginning to implement additional safety restraints for adults (United Airlines planes are equipped with shoulder restraints in addition to lap belts), the rules and regulations are quite specific for children traveling by plane.

First, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the safest place for a "little one" during turbulence or an emergency is in an approved child restraint system (CRS) or device (http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/). Quite probably, the seat your child uses in the car is appropriate for airplane use. To make certain, look to see if your CRS has "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft" printed on it. If it doesn't, you may need to check it as baggage. Further, if your airline can provide a CRS for your child, you may not be permitted to bring yours on board.

Next, make sure you know how your child's weight and height. Review the manufacturer's instructions for your CRS and, if your child is either too big or too small, replace the CRS prior to flying. Take into consideration the FAA's recommendations that:

- Children weighing less than 20 pounds use a rear-facing CRS.
- Children weighing between 20 and 40 pounds use a forward-facing CRS.
- Children weighing more than 40 pounds use an airplane seat belt.

Note that the FAA prohibits passengers from using booster seats and harness vests during taxi, take-off and landing. And, in the United States, supplemental lap restraints or "belly belts" are not approved for use in airplanes or vehicles.

Traveling by air with children, car seats, and luggage in tow is a challenge. It's cumbersome and exhausting. However, if your child is between the ages of one and four, weighs between 22 and 44 pounds, and is no taller than 40 inches, you are going to want to kiss Louise Stoll. She's the grandmother of nine who invented the CARES child aviation restraint ($74.95, www.kidsflysafe.com).

While Stoll's story can be read on the CARES|Kids Fly Safe web site (http://www.kidsflysafe.com/about/our-story.aspx), the bottom line is that her inspiration for the restraint came "over 8 years ago when my daughter Miriam came to visit me in Washington, D.C. She stepped off a plane carrying her toddler, Jake, a 20 pound car seat, and a diaper bag while she was 7 months pregnant with Eva. I was aghast at this scene and remember saying to my husband, 'There has to be a better way!'"

Weighing only one pound and taking up just six inches in your carry-on, CARES is adjustable to every size airplane seat, and usable on any seat in the airplane, except in the emergency exit rows. CARES is the only harness type Aviation Child Safety Device to be certified by the FAA as an alternative to a car seat.

Finally, the FAA offers a "Childproof Your Flight" brochure (http://www.faa.gov/passengers/media/childsafety.pdf ) that includes a "Make Sure You're Cleared for Takeoff" checklist specific to approved CRS use as well as helpful hints for flying with children. Also, be sure to call your airline or visit its web site to learn its specific policies and procedures regarding flying with children. While not recommended by the FAA, some airlines still to allow children under two years old to fly free on the lap of a parent or guardian over the age of 12.

Learn more about this author, Emily Crawford.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.