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Traveling with Z at 5 months
We are scheduled to visit family in July, and will be traveling with Zachary-- He will be 5 months. So.... I need tips and facts about traveling by plane, and renting a car with a 5 month old.
He can sit on my lap, I assume... = no need for a ticket?
Do I check the car seat? Or, do you recommend that if we dont check it, (cumbersome), I just rent a carseat from the rental agengy-? I think I heard somewhere that checking via the airlines is not subject to the baggage fee. Yes or no?
How on EARTH do I make this easier?
We cloth diaper, so I'll use 'sposies for the week-- but, do I pack them/wipes, or just buy them at our destination?
I'm thinking I will already be overloaded on packing,a nd want to minimize space/weight where i can.... Do I check the umbrella stroller? I see on AA.com that there isn't a baggage charge for that... has that been your experience?
other Tips?
Re: Traveling with Z at 5 months
I believe you just need to let the airline know that he will be traveling with you - there is no charge for a child under the age of 2, I believe, to fly on your lap. DH works for an airline, so we have been able to get Chloe a seat and use her car seat in the seat. I believe most airlines will allow you to use a carseat in a seat if the flight is open for free. If it is full, I would recommend checking the seat at the gate. I have read that many experts do not recommend checking your carseat except at the gate. We rented a car with a carseat once and I have to say I will never do it again! It was icky and who knows if it has been in an accident or not?
I am not a CD'er - but I would say take what you need with you, pack it in your checked luggage, unless you know of somewhere at your destination that you can buy what you need. Wipes are easy to pick up, but I generally have packed those as well.
You can check your umbrella stroller at the gate - no problem. Do you by chance have a snap-n-go? That would be ideal to travel with since you can check both the snap-n-go and carseat at the gate, if you are on a full flight.
I would not check the car seat. Ours was destroyed when we traveled AA, and they were unwilling to replace it, as their policy states that they are not held responsible for damanged car seats! I've since learned that you can carry on a car seat, without it counting as one of your allowed carry-ons. Z will be able to sit in your lap during the flight, so no need to buy him a ticket, unless you want him to ride in his car seat. I, personally, would want to bring my own car seat instead of renting one.
Yes, check the stroller at the gate.
I would pack a few diapers/wipes, but buy the majority of what you'll need when you get to your final desitination.
We haven't traveled since all the new airline baggage policies went into effect, so I'd call to make sure there aren't any fees!
What I did when Noah was that age:
He sat on my lap on the plane because I am cheap. Plus at 5 months he would sleep most of the time.
I did NOT rent a car seat because I have heard stories about the crappy seats that you might end up with. We always checked the car seat with our luggage (you are correct = no fee for the car seat); we just put it in a car seat travel bag.
Kept him in the stroller and then gate-checked it right before boarding. That made it so much easier to manage everything because I could put him and my purse/tote (and anything else I was carrying) in the stroller. HOWEVER, going through security kind of sucks because you have to fold up the stroller and put it through the X-ray conveyor thing and then carry the kid. If you are by yourself it is hard, but if your husband will be with you it shouldn't be a problem.
Sometimes I packed wipes and sometimes I bought when we got there - depended on where we were going, how long we would be there, how soon I could get to a store, etc.
Thanks for all the info, girls.... Oh, how I wish we had a SNap-n-go... No such fortune.
We have a bulky travel stroller, which is ok, but I'm not gonna mess with -- and an umbrella stroller...
Good point about the rentals being crummy and dirty... I will try to carry it on-- or at the very least, check it. Esp since there isn't a charge. Even if there IS a charge, it's probably less than the rental fee for 4 days.
My head is going to explode at the logistics of this
I hope I survive!
We went to NYC in February and flew American. We made our reservations and then you call and tell them you will have a "lap child". They just get the name and age and document it. It will say plus infant on your ticket.
You are allowed an umbrella stroller, car seat, and a diaper bag which is excluded from the baggage restrictions. They just checked our stuff at the gate and put it on after we boarded where they store wheel chairs.
Snacks and milk, juice, etc... are excluded from the liquids restrictions also. I called several times trying to figure out the rules and no one was clear on them. Basically when I got to security I told them I had liquids in my diaper bag. At DFW they tested them with little strips (the milk) and at NYC they didn't. I carried shelf stable milk but since you will have breast milk or formula it will be different. You can carry breastmilk in any container and they will just test it. If you are breastfeeding and need to keep milk cold they suggested I carry ice packs and you can ask for ice on the plane if needed. If you are carrying formula just carry bottled water and formula. I also carried Tylenol and Benadryl in the diaper bag and they didn't even look at that.
I personally would just take your seat. What if the rental agency doesn't follow through? That would worry me. I know I had problems getting things I requested from both our car service and our hotel.
As for diapers and such. My plan was to carry enough for travelling and buy them at NY but then I decided to just pack them. I ended up having enough room in my bag.
we traveled w/ DD at 4 months. We brought DD to the gate in her carseat and gate checked it inside a trashbag we packed in our carry on. We bought diapers and wipes once we got there. We didn't need our stroller so I don't have experience with that yet. As for tips: If your kid uses a paci, bring or buy the clips to not lose it on the plane. Once those things hit the floor in there, they disappear!
My DD slept the majority of the plane ride there and then was a terror on the plane ride back. All you can do is your best and most people were pretty nice about it.. to our face at least!
Thanks for these tips... Yes, I'll still be nursing at the time, but I guess I just assumed that I would nurse "in flight" so no need to bring it with/keep cool....
What am I not thinking about?
I have traveled with both of mine several times around that age. I always check the carseat and stroller at the main check-in desk. Then I put the baby in the baby bjorn. I think this is just the easiest way to get through security. The baby can stay put and you just walk through.?
I always just pack what we will need in terms of diapers/wipes and then buy more when we get to our destination.
Both of mine have always done really well on flights, sleeping most of the time. Just remember whatever you forget, you can always get there. ?
You'll be fine Kristin. I'm planning on doing it INTERNATIONALLY during the HOLIDAYS no less, around Christmas time this year, with DD who will be 4 mo by then, and HUSBANDLESS (he has to go later on orders). Here's what I've heard to do, from moms here who have traveled stateside w/ their little one:
Baby doesn't need a seat- they can sit in your lap (although it is a LONG 11 hours from Tokyo to Seattle w/ a kid in your lap, that's my plan since it will save us $1000)
Go thru security w/ the baby in a sling, but still have the carseat and stroller with you (and you can push your other stuff in/on the stroller to help you out). You'll have to take it apart at security, but they will help you out a bit if you need it.
Check the carseat and stroller at the gate, to avoid as many mishaps with luggage. I personally wouldn't rent one-too scary for me. I *might* avoid bringing it if my mom would get one and keep it at her house, but since I think traveling home will involve trips to Austin, Houston DFW, etc- I'll just bring ours most likely.
I'm going to bring enough diapers/wipes to get us thru travel + an extra day or 2, and then buy a pkg when we get to my parent's house. That way I don't have to use up too much luggage room on those, when I know we will have clothes, blankets, xmas gifts, toiletries, etc all packed as well.?
I think I'll have my mom get a cheap umbrella stroller to use while we are visiting, as well as a pack n play for her to sleep in. I can't imagine bringing the carseat and stroller, plus a pnp.
I'm planning on bf'ing in flight, assuming that is all still going well at that point. If not, or just for backup, I'll bring formula in a container, and you can get water on the plane to mix it with.
You'll be fine-people travel w/ kids all the time. While it isn't easy, I'm already looking forward to it, just because for me, it is a chance to see my family and I have learned to treasure that time these days! Plus, I'll be getting to show off my little one for the first time to many people!!?
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