Vacation with baby - rent or bring stroller?

[fairfax]

Hi all! I hope all the kiddos are feeling better and sleeping better!

We are flying to Hawaii next month, DS will be almost 5 months. Flying there and then renting a car. I cannot figure out what to do about the stroller. We’ll definitely need one there. We will bring our own car seat and check it on the plane (not sure if we will check it at the counter or gate check?). For the stroller, here are the options I can think of:

1) Bring our stroller with the stroller seat and check it (preferably at the gate) - we love our stroller and know we and DS would be comfortable.
2) Bring our stroller and just use the car seat (bucket seat that clicks on) when we want to stroll DS around. I’m not sure this is safest as I know they’re really not meant to spend a ton of time in the car seat unless in the actual car. Plus he couldn’t lay flat to nap!
3) bring our car seat and rent a stroller there - has anyone done this? I’m mostly just concerned we’d get a janky stroller that wouldn’t have the features we want (large basket and sun shade, cup holders, etc) BUT it would be great to not have to fit our rather large stroller in the rental car along with all the other luggage, golf bag, etc. also to not risk our stroller getting damaged.

Help!

[Aquatica]

I haven't been to Hawaii so I'm not sure about the weather but would baby wearing be an option? Then you wouldn't need the stroller and could switch between who wears baby?

If not, I'd opt for the regular stroller and carseat so baby can lay down for naps. The stroller can be checked at the gate but I recommend a protective flight bag just in case.

[nellgirl]

We bought a smaller stroller at that age. It folded like an umbrella, but reclined as well. We really appreciated it in the airport. Our daughter was a huge fan of being worn, but it was super hot out and wearing her would have been really sweaty and uncomfortable.
On the trip, she ended up napping quite often in the stroller (unusual). Totally worth it.

[pittpurple]

If you're going to travel again soon, an umbrella stroller might be worth it - we had a cheaper stroller we used just for travelling that we didn't care about as much and was way smaller to fit in the rental cars when needed. You can find them used all the time and then you'll know what you're getting.

We always check car seats at the counter as we don't use them on flights - less stuff to haul around. Again, depends on your car seat - might be worth getting a travel carseat as well so you don't have to worry about it (the Walmart scenera is the usual go-to - www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-Scenera-NEXT-Convertible-Car-Seat-Otto/41126739)

[joy]

I’d rent. Babyquip is national, I believe

EDIt - I used babyquip is Charleston. Lovely experience.

[scm1011]

Jan 14, 2020 23:40:49 GMT -5 Aquatica said:

I haven't been to Hawaii so I'm not sure about the weather but would baby wearing be an option? Then you wouldn't need the stroller and could switch between who wears baby?

If not, I'd opt for the regular stroller and carseat so baby can lay down for naps. The stroller can be checked at the gate but I recommend a protective flight bag just in case.

co-signed.

We've always brought our stroller on trips with babies and I've never regretted it (we've taken many, including several international). When we went to Barcelona this summer when the kids were 2 months and 2.5 years we borrowed a friend's Uppa Baby G-Luxe and I LOVED that thing. Its a lightweight umbrella stroller but it reclines fully and has a great sun shade. I mostly wore the baby and used the stroller for DS, but it was great to be able to switch up and have the baby in the stroller and DS walk sometimes. 

Carrying the bucket seat through the airport sounds like a pain, I'd check it immediately if you're not planning on using it on the plane. 

[fairfax]

Jan 14, 2020 23:40:49 GMT -5 Aquatica said:

I haven't been to Hawaii so I'm not sure about the weather but would baby wearing be an option? Then you wouldn't need the stroller and could switch between who wears baby?

If not, I'd opt for the regular stroller and carseat so baby can lay down for naps. The stroller can be checked at the gate but I recommend a protective flight bag just in case.

We’ll bring a carrier, but it will most likely be too warm and humid to wear him for long stretches. I’ll look into a bag for sure, thanks!

[somersault72]

I would do option one. I always bring our stroller (and car seat) to the airport and gate check (however we usually use an umbrella stroller because I've never flown with anyone less than 1). Especially if you're changing planes I would NOT check the carseat with your baggage. Even the airline people don't recommend it in case the luggage gets lost. Gate checking is easy peasy. Get a travel bag with wheels (or borrow one!) so you don't have to lug it through the airport.

[pooh8402]

I've brought our own stroller on our vacations with babies... I like to use them in the airport. They can be gate checked. I brought E1 to Hawaii when he was 7 months old and we brought the stroller and the baby carrier. His bucket seat clicked into the stroller so I also used that in the airport and gate checked.

[dcn]

We’ve done both and really it just depends if you want to lug a stroller or not. The stroller may come in handy at the airport too. We had an uppababy g luxe for almost 7 years and we loved that thing. My youngest is 4 and doesn’t really need one anymore so we sold it but it went on so many trips, it’s a great travel stroller.

Ditto to wearing the baby as much as possible too.

[dcn]

Oh when we rented we got a nice mcclaren.

[simpsongal]

When we flew to Hawaii w/DD ( at the time 9 months) and DS (3) we checked the carseats for both and checked the stroller at the gate. Having the stroller to wheel around the airport and lug things was very convenient. We had a city mini GT.

[shauni27]

I always brought my strollers because I loved using it in the airport. I can use it to shove our carry on bags onto as well. For that reason alone, and the fact that I never really did baby wearing, I would bring it.

However, if you DO babywear, I would rent one once you get there.

**I flew a lot with S when he was between 10weeks and 10 months. The only time I regularly baby wore was as we loaded the plane and then while on the plane. It gave me free hands for our carry on and diaper bag and he was comforted and usually fell right asleep just against me.

[Susie]

I rented a BOB when we went to Sonoma when DD was 10m.  We brought our umbrella stroller for airport/etc. and gate checked it, but I wanted the BOB for outdoor type stuff.  We didn't end up using it that much, but it was nice to have some of the time.  Anyway, my experience was that you can rent fairly specific stroller models, so I wouldn't worry too much about what model you get -- you can mostly pick it out.  Like you could rent a City Mini, or a BOB, or whatever.  They just may not have all the versions, like I don't think they had a City Mini GT.  We rented through Babierge on that trip.  If you are already renting other stuff (pack & play, booster or high chair, etc.), adding on the stroller is super easy and convenient.

It kind of depends what kind of stroller you have/are used to, what models you can readily rent, and how you prefer to get through the airport (wear vs. stroller), on whether to BYO or rent (or both).  That's very much a YMMV thing.

I would not plan to use your car seat with a rented stroller, because I would not want to gamble on whether they could accommodate you with the right adapter for your specific seat/stroller combo.  I don't remember if they offered adapters at all.

Also my $0.02 on car seats on the plane -- In the past I have counter checked car seats, because it's easier than schlepping it through the airport especially if you have a layover.  However, having lived through arriving at my vacation destination right as the rental car counter was closing, only to find that the airline lost my car seat and all of our bags after a long day of delays, a cancellation and rebooking, etc., I am not sure I will counter check again.  It was THE WORST.  Gate checking means you retain control for a lot longer and you are susceptible to a lot fewer airline mistakes.  

[pooh8402]

Agree with Susie re: the car seats. We had a similar experience this past summer (it was the first and only time I counter checked car seats) and I will never ever counter check again.

[icedcoffee]

I'd do 2 - bucket seat with stroller to click it into. I'd gate check them both.

Wearing a baby in Hawaii sounds miserable to me. No thanks. The only time I'd wear the baby is for the hike out to the beach and back. Otherwise for things like going through the airport, shopping, walking through town the stroller with bucket seat sounds ideal.

At 5 months I think having the kiddo in just the bucket seat on the stroller is fine. I might have a different opinion at like 14 months, but they're still little and fine in it at 5 months. Embrace the ease of the bucket seat!

[fairfax]

Jan 15, 2020 8:40:41 GMT -5 dcn said:

We’ve done both and really it just depends if you want to lug a stroller or not. The stroller may come in handy at the airport too. We had an uppababy g luxe for almost 7 years and we loved that thing. My youngest is 4 and doesn’t really need one anymore so we sold it but it went on so many trips, it’s a great travel stroller.

Ditto to wearing the baby as much as possible too.

I’m really tempted to get one of these - we have the Vista and loooove it. But DH is (understandably) loathe to spend more money...0

[fairfax]

Jan 15, 2020 11:27:00 GMT -5 Susie said:

I rented a BOB when we went to Sonoma when DD was 10m.  We brought our umbrella stroller for airport/etc. and gate checked it, but I wanted the BOB for outdoor type stuff.  We didn't end up using it that much, but it was nice to have some of the time.  Anyway, my experience was that you can rent fairly specific stroller models, so I wouldn't worry too much about what model you get -- you can mostly pick it out.  Like you could rent a City Mini, or a BOB, or whatever.  They just may not have all the versions, like I don't think they had a City Mini GT.  We rented through Babierge on that trip.  If you are already renting other stuff (pack & play, booster or high chair, etc.), adding on the stroller is super easy and convenient.

It kind of depends what kind of stroller you have/are used to, what models you can readily rent, and how you prefer to get through the airport (wear vs. stroller), on whether to BYO or rent (or both).  That's very much a YMMV thing.

I would not plan to use your car seat with a rented stroller, because I would not want to gamble on whether they could accommodate you with the right adapter for your specific seat/stroller combo.  I don't remember if they offered adapters at all.

Also my $0.02 on car seats on the plane -- In the past I have counter checked car seats, because it's easier than schlepping it through the airport especially if you have a layover.  However, having lived through arriving at my vacation destination right as the rental car counter was closing, only to find that the airline lost my car seat and all of our bags after a long day of delays, a cancellation and rebooking, etc., I am not sure I will counter check again.  It was THE WORST.  Gate checking means you retain control for a lot longer and you are susceptible to a lot fewer airline mistakes.  

Yeah, I think I’m going to need to do some more research on what’s available to rent. I’ve just dipped my toe in the water and so far the stroller selection is pretty bare bones. I’d really like one that reclines a fair amount so he can nap on the go!

[fairfax]

Jan 15, 2020 12:43:46 GMT -5 al dente said:

I would do your own with the car seat attachment, and gate check it all. I like having my stroller through the airport to pile everything on lol.

I like having a car seat at that age for going out to eat. There typically isn’t room for a stroller at the table.

But also how big is your stroller and where in Hawaii are you going? Oahu everything is very tight and there’s tons of people so I personally dont use my stroller and ton and mostly babywear, and February is a pretty cool month. If you have a larger stroller I may look more into renting one.

We have the Uppababy Vista, so it’s a large stroller. We’re going to Maui. We are just getting into baby wearing - he hated the carrier until now and we’ve only done quick stretches at home.

[jewel]

If you have a good local BST, I’d get a bob and take that. Here, at least, I can spend $80 on a decent Bob, and you can resell after if you don’t want it. Then, if anything happens to it on the plane, you’re not out your good, expensive stroller.

Also - I wore my toddler a ton in Hawaii. It wasn’t too hot or humid for me, but I’m sure that depends on time of year and what “hot” is to you. Lol. You can also get “cool towels” to stick between you and baby, which help a lot.

[sloan]

We went to Hawaii when DS was 11 months, and having our stroller was really nice. For one you’re likely to have a layover even if it’s just an island hopper, and for us having the stroller for him to nap in was invaluable the way our schedule worked out. We shoved the diaper bag underneath and used the handle to hang one of our carry ons so it wasn’t cumbersome.

Also if you counter check your car seat be aware that safety recommendations are to repack it in the original packaging because luggage handlers are ROUGH with bags and it can get beat up enough to have essentially been in a wreck if not we’ll protected. So while it’s a pain I lean toward gate checking between that and the lost luggage risks, not to mention should the flight be emptier than anticipated you could get lucky enough to have a seat for baby- southwest is the only airline that’s ever worked out for me to be able to bring the car seat onboard but man was it nice.

[moonriver]

We went to Hawaii when my son was 9 months. We took our regular stroller (with the stroller seat) and the car seat that clicks in. It was really nice to have the big stroller so he could nap whenever he needed to. We gate checked the stroller and car seat. I will say the airline broke our stroller on that trip, but those are the chances you take.

[estrellita]

We like to bring a stroller and gate check it. That way we always have it with us. It came in handy also for carrying both kids backpacks and other random things!

[imojoebunny]

When I traveled alone when my kids where small, I used the big stroller (bob like) to put luggage and car seats in, and wore the baby (we took the train to the airport). I would check the car seat(s) when I first got to the airport, then gate check the stroller. Easy peasy. I flew alone with my kid(s) on on number of occasions, and people were super helpful. I could, also, get on the plane early, if I wanted. The big stroller was nice to have when we got were we were going, which was mostly cities where we were doing a lot of walking. I suppose it could have been damaged, but it never was.