Turbulence happens. Most flights experience some form of it caused by weather systems or erratic air movements. And while pilots often know when to expect it, clear air turbulence can catch the crew (and therefore passengers) unawares. As the owner of a baby equipment rentals company, I've been renting the CARES airplane harness since it was approved by WestJet and Air Canada last year. The CARES harness is for use by children over 22 lbs travelling in their own seat. It's not appropriate for lap-held babies. This is where the Baby B'Air comes in. The Baby B'Air flight vest is the only safety solution for lap-held babies who fly. It's an FAA-approved quilted cotton flight vest for your newborn to 2 year old child that is travelling on your lap. The vest attaches your child to your lap belt to keep her tethered to you should you encounter turbulence during a flight -- 90% of turbulence happens at cruising altitude. (Baby B'Air cannot be used during takeoff, taxiing and landing when baby must be held in your arms.)

The vest has FAA approval and can be used on all US airlines but is not approved by Transport Canada so it is up to individual airlines to determine whether or not you can use it during a flight. The $45 vest is made by Baby B'Air in the US. They come in two sizes based on head circumference and are available to rent ($25 per trip) or purchase from Little Traveller in Calgary (www.littletraveller.ca).

To help prevent injury from turbulence during a flight follow these guidelines:
- keep your seatbelt buckled at all times when seated (to keep yourself safe and to set a good example to your children)
- keep your child's seatbelt or harness buckled at all times when seated
- don't get up unless necessary
- when walking about the cabin, hold on to the seat backs or overhead bins at all times and keep hold of your child at all times
- respond to safety messages from the cabin crew as quickly as possible
- keep overhead bins closed at all times
- don't stow heavy items in the overhead bins

Safe travels!