B737-700
Flight Attendant Current
Time Pressure; Physiological - Other; Distraction; Confusion; Workload; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Company Policy; Human Factors
I was the 'B' Flight Attendant on flight. While secured in my jumpseat and cleared for takeoff; a passenger rushed back to alert me that a baby had gotten very sick and they needed help. I rushed to the baby and his mom. Vomit had covered the entire row; the baby; and his mother. Baby was screaming and coughing. We were due to takeoff at any moment; and I needed more time to assess this emergency. I rushed to the aft galley and called the 'A' on the interphone. I advised 'A' of the situation and asked her to call the pilots and tell them not to takeoff yet. Within several minutes; the 'C' came back and asked if I needed anything. I said I wasn't sure yet. The 'C' said this was not a medical emergency; and we needed to go. I said that the baby was very sick; was coughing; possibly choking; and that it was an emergency. I continued assisting the mother and baby; and without my knowledge the aircraft took off. I remained sitting on the aisle arm rest for the takeoff with the unbelted passengers. The aft galley was not secure as I was not given the opportunity to put my supplies away for takeoff. Better communication between crewmembers both during the emergency and after. There was no communication amongst the crew regarding this emergency for the duration (8 hours) of our duty day.
A B737-700 Flight Attendant was sitting on an arm rest during takeoff assisting a mother and ill infant. She unsuccessfully attempted to have the takeoff aborted so neither she nor her aft galley were prepared for takeoff.