The Internet Is Ripping Apart This TikTok Hack For Keeping Kids Seated On An Airplane
A "Velcro baby" is usually a phrase reserved for clingy tots who don't want to be apart from their caregivers, but it's taking on a whole new meaning thanks to a viral TikTok video posted by content creator @ljflommom. "Things I wish I knew as a first-time mom," reads text on the clip, before showing a woman placing strips of Velcro on a plane seat. She then sticks matching Velcro pieces to her baby's pants and places the child on the seat so they're stuck in place.
@ljflommom The best airplane travel hack #mom #momhack #hack #travelwithkids #kids #travel #baby #toddler #momlife #motherhood #momsoftiktok #fyp #momtok
Even as the baby wiggles and tries to climb to the neighboring seat, they seem to be restrained by nothing more than the Velcro on their bottom. Even the seatbelt is kept noticeably unfastened beside the child.
At first glance, the hack might seem clever, which could explain why it's racked up over 500,000 likes within just days of being posted. However, the internet quickly shot back at the video and started identifying reasons to avoid the DIY tip the next time you fly with small children.
The TikTok hack could put your little one in danger
TikTok users commented on the viral video sharing their doubts about velcroing babies to their plane seats. "I feel like my son would either scream or break out of it like the hulk," wrote one parent. Another added a similar concern: "Until 5 seconds later [when] my child would use their vocal chords to express their frustration."
Captain Ben, who posts on TikTok under the handle @flying4aliving, also weighed in on the hack. "Don't velcro your baby to the seat," the aviation expert said. He explained that while the Velcro in @ljflommom's video seemed to come off easily, adhesive glue could get stuck behind, leaving the seat sticky and dirty for the next passenger.
More critically, the flight captain noted that the Velcro hack could put your child in danger. "A lot of those cushions in some of these airplanes are used for flotation devices, so they're just there [unsecured]," he shared. If the baby rocks forward, the seat cushion could fly off, sending your child flying with it.
Safer seating options for small children on planes
If the Velcro method seems like an appealing way to keep your small child secured in their seat, note that there are more effective options for fastening little ones in place. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends parents and caregivers use an approved child restraint system (CRS) or similar device when flying with children under the age of two. These include most hard-backed car seats, as long as the car seat is airline-approved. Check your safety seat's label or manual to confirm before taking it on a flight.
For children up to 40 inches tall and between 22 and 44 pounds, the FAA also recommends a CARES device. These devices aren't as bulky as a car seat but still keep small children safely fastened to their seats.
If you have a Velcro baby — in the traditional sense of the term — you may also consider flying with them as a lap child. This allows the baby to remain on your lap throughout the flight. While this option is likely safer than sticking the child to a seat with Velcro, keep in mind that you may struggle to support them during turbulence, which could put them at risk of getting injured.