I have to fly to St. Louis with my 4 month old baby. I can only get a seat for me, she will have to travel on my lap, so we can have 2 checked items, 1 carry-on item, and 1 personal item (the diaper bag).
Any suggestions for how to get all of her STUFF to the other end without exceeding the baggage limit? I can bring either an umbrella stroller or a snap'n'go with a carseat (would that count as 2 checked items?). General suggestions for check-in and flying also appreciated!
2006-12-26 09:31:25 · 8 answers · asked by baby_savvy 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My daughter took her first flight at 3 weeks old. Since then, she has been on a plane 4 more times and she is now 21 months. For three of those flights, I purchased an extra seat for her. But for two flights, she sat in my lap. Most airlines check a stroller at the gate and a carseat at baggage for free. They will not count towards the checked baggage limit. What I do is take the diaper bag and a backpack as my carry-ons and then two larger suitcases for all of our clothes to check at check-in.
One thing I must tell you is to make sure the baby drinks a bottle on take-off and landing. I can tell you that this will help prevent ear popping and vomiting (which my daughter did on take off and landing on her last flight since she refused to drink her juice). At check-in (if you fold the stroller down) you can usually request for the airline to meet you at security with an electric cart to drive you to your gate.
Some other words of advice. At security, the stroller will have to be folded down and put through the x-ray machine. Last time, they also made me take my daughter's shoes off. While waiting in the security line, start taking off the baby's coat and shoes so you'll be all ready. And the person checking tickets and IDs when you first get to security will help you through security if you ask them to. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance. And if you are traveling solo with baby and have someone dropping you off at the airport, you are allowed (in my experience...it could differ by airport) to have someone walk to the gate with you since you are traveling with a baby.
There are a ton of options available. Call the airline and ask for advice. The airport customer service phone number could be a big help too. Good luck on your trip. I hope it all goes smoothly.
2006-12-26 09:52:48 · answer #1 · answered by RNFQueen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
U need to find out a little more. You should be able to check a stroller and a car seat. Putting the 4 months old in an umbrella stroller doesn't sound like a good idea to be. There doesn't seem to be enough support for a baby that young.
2006-12-26 09:37:08 · answer #2 · answered by Danielle 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've traveled with newborns and toddlers and the best thing that I can recommend is to forget the stroller and get a sling. You can carry your baby all the way through the airport and on to the plane so easily. At four months, your baby may fall asleep in the sling and sleep in the sling the whole plane ride.
I'd bring the snap n go because you may need the carseat at the other end.
Trust me on not bringing a stroller while carrying tons of bags -- a sling is a life-saver!!
2006-12-26 09:37:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes the car seat counts as an item, as would the stroller if you brought it. I flew with my 5 month old from washington state to alabama...my advice is to fly at night time if at all possible. That way she'll sleep for most of it. The pressure in her ears is going to make her cry. I gave my daughter a little antihistimine to help her sleep thru the flight (doctor suggested this). Depending on what you need and how long your staying you can mail some of the stuff to your destination. This is much cheaper then paying the extra fee the airlines charge.
2006-12-26 10:45:07 · answer #4 · answered by Kaos 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do a web search to see if there is a company in St. Louis that rents the big items. Check with the airline and your travel agent. They may know of places. Also if you have friends or family in that area with young kids they may have these items themselves. One thing that you should do is purchase the Space Bags made for suitcases. You can pack a lot more items in one suitcase. Make sure that you have a bottle of ear drops for infants/kids, like Similisan. This helps unplug baby's ears.
2006-12-26 09:36:54 · answer #5 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you check with the airline? When I worked for one u were allowed a stroller (which you can gate check so u can use it) it won't count. If I am not mistaken you could have a pack n play too. Car seats are mandatory so that shouldn't count either.
Call them and make sure.
2006-12-26 09:34:56 · answer #6 · answered by pamo 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you can only bring the stroller to the entrance of the plane, the flight crew will take it and put it near the front of the plane and when you get off they will have it ready for you. bring the snap and go....it will count as one
2006-12-26 09:35:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Id probably will go with the umbrella stroller it will be alot easier and you will have more room.
2006-12-26 09:34:27 · answer #8 · answered by misty blue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋