Phoenix Nesties
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Traveling with an infant??
So, we have my SIL's wedding in July in Washington. Preston will only be about 8 weeks or so. We will be renting a car and bringing his infant car seat.
My question is this....the base that the car seat locks into; that's pretty heavy. Do we bring that? Should I have my SIL ask around to see if anyone has one that I can borrow? What do I do in this case?
I feel like I'm going to look like a bag lady....my suitcase, diaper bag, stroller, car seat, DH & all his stuff. OY! This should be interesting! HAHA
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Re: Traveling with an infant??
I would try to rent via the car rental company. Just check to see. I've definitely seen this offered before.
i'd do a snap n go (if you're planning on getting one, i hope so because travel systems are crazy bulky and heavy and i hate them), and bring the seat with the base. they'll allow you to check the seat for free, and i'm sure they're ok with checking the base along with it, you can always call and ask the airline). just bring a trash bag to put them in so they don't get crap all over them. your carseat can also likely be installed without the base, you'll have to check the manual for yours. some people are comfortable with that, some are not. when i took dominic to iowa at 4 months or so, we didn't bring his base.
here's some info from cpsafety:
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/infantshop.aspx
Base vs. No Base In crash tests, properly used seats tested slightly better without a base. HOWEVER, this does not mean you should run out and buy a seat without a base. If you have a base, once it's installed, you're done. Simply latch the seat into the base every time and make sure it's latched in. If you don't, you will have to CORRECTLY install your car seat every time you want to go somewhere. While some car seat/vehicle combinations make this easy, most do not. You have to decide whether you really think you are going to be able to correctly install your seat every time. That includes all the times you're running late or just have to run to the store quickly. Even if you plan to leave your infant seat in the car all the time, a base may still be a better choice. A baseless seat installs with the seat belt over the top of the seat, so getting baby in if the seat is already buckled in can be difficult, meaning you will still have to re-install the seat for each ride.
welcome to traveling with a kid, nothing is simple anymore. imagine how hard it is to do it by yourself!
Shannon- we weren't planning on it, just getting the travel system stroller & car seat. I don't want to get too many strollers because I feel like the snap 'n' go won't last long?? But, then again, what do I know? haha
So, it looks like we can do it without a base. I think I will call the rental company and see if they offer them and then go from there!
Thanks, Jenn! Woohooooooooooooooooo!
We traveled quite a bit with DD and we just took the seat. If you want the base I suppose you could take it but i wouldn't find it worth it. Also, its worth it to take your stroller. We pushed DD through the airport with the stroller (large travel system) then detached the car seat to use in the airplane and checked the stroller at the gate with a tag (free, doesn't count against the allowances).
Your gate checked items get dirty so I recommend you invest in a bag. We got a travel bag for the car seat that works as a backpack so I can push baby in stroller while DH wears the car seat in the bag as a backpack...then at the gate we switch and take the car seat out to use on the plane and shove the stroller in the large bag to gate check. We always get compliments and requests on where to buy it from airport staff, it protects your child's items from bangs and dirt.
i got a travel system with dominic and wanted to light it on fire within the first week. impossible to travel with on road trips, takes up the entire trunk. they're sooo heavy. at least if you're going to go this route, get one of the more compact ones they offer and aren't go huge and heavy. i got a snap n go very shortly after i had d and used that until we didn't use the infant seat anymore. you can sell them easily and then get a nice umbrella stroller like a chicco, mclaren, etc for when baby gets a little older
just my opinion of course, some people like their travel systems. i just always try to warn my friends because that's what everything says you should register for. mine's been collecting dust in the garage, i really should sell it.
anyway, back to the traveling!
This totally reminded me of the Bump phrase "Friends don't let friends buy travel systems." I've heard that about ten million times since getting pregnant and being on TB! We're taking that advice.
That being said, I know some people that love theirs, so no judgment on travel systemers.
For the record, Stacy - I do know a lot of people that just took the carseat, no base and seatbelt installed during vacations. That's how they do it in cities where you take taxis a lot.
Thanks ladies. I'm glad we don't have to take it, just seems SO heavy!
I saw those backpack cases for the carseat and I plan to get one. We aren't putting him in his own seat so we'll be checking that also and I don't want it getting all banged up so the cover is a must for me!
Yes, I've heard both good and bad things about travel systems but we're going with one. I've heard GREAT things about the one we registered for so we'll cross our fingers and hope for the best. We'll cross that path later if we do end up hating it.
I am one of those moms who love the travel system! (I always over pack, so I like the idea of having room for everything) Although, the snap and go's are pretty sweet too. We havent done to much traveling where we have needed to take our travel system with us. We have a small list of things we plan on getting for baby #2, and the snap and go is one of them, however, the one for two kids. They have one where an older kid can sit in the front, and then snap on the carrier in the back.
I do think travel systems are annoying, super bulky, and take up the ENTIRE trunk, but for the first 4 months of Brady's life it was awesome!
As for traveling, here is my recommendation.
1 - Check the carseat with base attached. If you are flying SW it is not a problem and they even provide a clear bag to put it in. With SW you are allowed to swap 2 baby items for 1 bag. So if normally check 2 bags for yourself you would be able to check 1 bag for you plus a carseat plus a stroller.
2 - Since DS will be too small to go in the stroller without the carseat I would check the stroller as well. You may want to buy a smaller stroller that works with the carseat. We have a Graco travel system and bought a Graco lightweight stroller and the carseat was able to snap right in. It was the floor model from BRU so it was half off. Made life pretty simple.
3 - Buy a baby bjorn (or something similar) to carry him around the airport in.
4 - Are you bringing a pack n play? If you are staying at a hotel they usually have one you can use, but bring your own sheet. Otherwise try and borrow one. If you feel comfortable I would suggest bedsharing for that short time. Especially if you are BFing it would be easy and one less thing to pack!
We aren't flying SW, bummer, but we are checking the stroller as well. I'm going to have a moby wrap or something similar to carry him in. No we're not bringing a pack 'n' play, we're borrowing one from my BIL's cousin. We're staying with SIL.