Long travel with a baby

[Deleted]

Thank you all for your feedback.  I've decided to bring DS with me.

I originally planned on buying him a ticket, now I'm undecided.  I would prefer for him to have his own seat since I can't imagine holding him the entire time.  First flight leg is 2.5hrs, second is 3.5 and third is 6.5hrs.  Plus, I would hate to be seated in a tiny seat with someone while with a baby.

That said, I'm not sure I like to be dealing with a carseat/stroller at the airport.  The seat I'd take with us would be the keyfit 30.  I considered the cosco scenera but Walmart doesn't seem to have it in stock at the store.

I'll be bringing my ergo so the stroller would mainly be for the carseat.  I don't have a snap n go.  The stroller we have is the fullsize stroller.  Not sure if I can use bungee cords to attach the car seat to our umbrella stroller.  We also have a folding luggage cart; not sure if I can use this.  I guess I'll try tonight.

How would you do it?

My grandma died last night.  I'm just waiting on funeral schedule before buying plane ticket/s.  I already called american airlines.  I don't really like AA, but their fare is not bad and their flight schedule is better.

[Deleted]

The long flight may have a bulkhead bassinet seat. Ask the airline. My sister did a flight from Australia with no seat for the baby. It was fine. I'd check the car seat and stroller and just use the Ergo.

[mrs07]

Bringing a boppy and leaving that around my waist the whole flight really helped with DS, even when he was 12+ months.

eta: oh, we also have the chicco key fit 30 and it's associated stroller, which is a nice one bc it goes all the way flat.  Check the seat and keep the stroller, you can use it to push your bags around while you hold baby or vice versa.  Know how to install the carseat on your own (probably without the base).

[Deleted]

Dec 10, 2013 12:42:56 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

The long flight may have a bulkhead bassinet seat. Ask the airline. My sister did a flight from Australia with no seat for the baby. It was fine. I'd check the car seat and stroller and just use the Ergo.

Thanks.  I checked AA but they don't have bulkhead bassinet on any of the flights.

[lilles]

I would check the carseat. In my experience they always get restless in it and I ended up holding them anyways. Ergo all the way.

[Deleted]

Dec 10, 2013 13:13:57 GMT -5 mrs07 said:

Bringing a boppy and leaving that around my waist the whole flight really helped with DS, even when he was 12+ months.

eta: oh, we also have the chicco key fit 30 and it's associated stroller, which is a nice one bc it goes all the way flat.  Check the seat and keep the stroller, you can use it to push your bags around while you hold baby or vice versa.  Know how to install the carseat on your own (probably without the base).

Is it a travel boppy?  Or just a regular one?

I'm thinking about packing the carseat base.  But I'll try to install the seat without a base tonight.  I actually thought about asking my sis to buy a cheap carseat (like the cosco scenera) in Hawaii so I don't have to bring the carseat (if I decide not to get a seat for DS).  But I may need to check with her.

My thought is to have the ergo that I can use to carry DS at the airport.  Use one of my big backpack to keep essential stuff.  Then either:

1.  umbrella stroller
2.  chicco travel system (if I buy a seat for DS)

[thejackpot]

Sorry about your loss.

I think you should check the stroller and carseat and wear baby in the Ergo. Carry your must have's in a backpack.I probably would not buy a seat as he will most likely be in your lap anyway. GL

[rootbeerfloat]

Sorry for your loss.

I traveled with DD when she was 6m (from HI to the Midwest). I had my mom, which was obviously a help. But I wore her in the Ergo and checked the carseat and stroller. I kept her on my lap, and she alternated nursing/sleeping/watching everything around her the whole time.

[robot]

So sorry for your loss. I may be the dissenter on the stroller, but I have flown a lot with my kids, and I like having a regular stroller (not umbrella - it needs a basket to carry crap) in the airport. Even if I have the Ergo as well, it is great to have a) another place to put the baby when she's sick of being in the Ergo; b) a place to put all my loose stuff (purse, coat, diaper bag, and my drink in the stroller cup holder). You are talking about two layovers, not a simple direct flight, and you will need to carry all your own stuff since you are traveling alone, so I would want the stroller. I would be so tired of having the baby strapped to me for so many hours. It's no big deal to get it through security and gate check it. I might choose to check the car seat though - that's bulky and adds less "value" than the stroller in terms of convenience. I guess could go either way on the car seat, depending whether I had a seat for the baby or not, and whether the baby likes/hates the carseat.

[megs193]

Sorry for your loss

When we travel we always bring our full size stroller. I just hook the backpack over the handle and pile everything on the stroller. I have always found the people at security and while boarding the plane to be very helpful if I am by myself so folding it up has never been an issue.

We check our car seat with our luggage so we have one less thing to carry..

At 6 months both of my kids were easy to travel with. They nursed, slept and chewed on toys for the entire flight. If any of the flights are during the babies bedtime it may be worth it to get him his own seat. That way you can feed him and put him in his car seat.

[dbsk8dance]

I used a regular sized boppy on our flight to Hawaii in July with dd. She just slept on it the majority of hrs time so I didn't have to hold her. We used the ergo for boarding and deboarding. If you don't buy him a seat, either check it or buy one there.

I would bring a stroller since you have 2 layovers. That way you have something to put him in when you need to pee. Then gate check it.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[livinitup]

I recommend this all the time for traveling with a baby. It's a simple T strap for your carry-on luggage and works beautufully. You use the latch system of your babyseat to attach the T strap to the loops. DD often road in the car seat, through the airport, too. If you don't have time to to order/deliver it, you may be able to use the idea for DIY.

www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Seat-Travel-Accessory/dp/B000JHN3AS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1386717571&sr=8-2&keywords=baby+seat+strap+luggage

If your flight isn't full, the airline staff will place you next to an open seat. Just ask. 
 

[robot]

Dec 10, 2013 18:27:55 GMT -5 livinitup said:

If your flight isn't full, the airline staff will place you next to an open seat. Just ask. 
 

Oh yes, I forgot about this!  Ask at the gate for each of the flights - if the flight isn't full, they will almost always do this for you. Even if you don't take the carseat on, it gives you a bit of extra space. These days, my flights are almost always full, but you've got 3 chances and might get lucky.