Our Company requires infants to be restrained with the use of a "belly belt" to conform with the law (less than 4 years old). As far as I can tell the reason they have come under fire is the hazard that they can be in a serious crash where the adult can crush the baby. Based on risk analysis, I believe there is a big advantage in using belly belts. When the seat belt sign is on all occupants are strapped in. If there was no infant restraint requirement then these kids are free to roam the cabin and their safety is left to the whim of (often) tired and fed up parents. Countless times I have seen the parents strap themselves in and yet let the kids continue roaming the cabin until the cabin crew round them up and deliver them back.
The ideal answer of course is a seperate car seat-type device.
[This message has been edited by Jetstreamer (edited 25 February 2000).]