Baby wearing and travel...

tamnate

I know it's been talked about on here before, but I can't remember what was said! I am traveling next weekend with DS, and plan on wearing him in the Ergo through the airport.  Can I wear him through security, or should I plan to carry him through without the carrier on?  What is essential to carry-on with us (other than the obvious like diapers, wipes, extra clothes for LO and me, toys and books to keep him occupied).  Just trying to figure this all out; I keep getting advice from friends who have traveled with their LO, but they've also had their DH along, so have had an extra set of hands to carry the extra stuff they're suggesting I bring!  My DH isn't going to be with us, so I've got to keep it minimal.  TIA! 

Athena0809

I was gonna post the exact same question! lol Except for, I was gonna add, I've heard you can check the stroller and car seat at the gate, but I'd prefer to wear him so, it sounds silly but, do I push an empty stroller all the way to the gate? lol (I will need his travel system very much to where we are going). The one advise I got from someone was to bring the boppy because if you will have LO on your lap it's much more comfortable, but if you are trying to keep it simple I guess that wouldn't work.

dahansen85

I recently flew with LO, without DH.  I was able to wear DD in the ergo through security.  However, I was told I had to take her out for takeoff and landing, which sucked.  If you ask, you might be able to get them to overlook that rule. 

As for packing, I just brought my regular diaper bag, minus my hand sanitizer because of the liquid rule.  Formula or breast milk is allowed - but you should check the website of the airline you are travelling with.  

A tip: I thought I was being all smart by bringing an extra shirt with me in case of spit up, but DD ended up having a blowout diaper while sitting on me, so I had to walk around with poo on my jeans.  Bring an entire extra set of clothes! 

tokenhoser

If you don't want to use the stroller in the airport, you can check it when you check your bags. If you want it available while you wait and when you get off the plane, then you have to gate check it. I'm leaning toward keeping it to the gate so that I can put him down if he decides he hates the carrier (it doesn't happen often, but it does happen). I can also use the Snap n Go to sherpa my stuff for me.

I plan to bring my diaper bag with the basics, and check more than I normally would. I won't have DH to carry stuff, just my mom... who is old enough I don't want to overload her. My goal is to bring one rolling suitcase and the diaper bag (which I may or may not move into a backpack), and then the car seat and snap and go, and the ergo.

MikeJessIves

I just flew with LO a few weeks ago. I brought my stroller and ERGO just in case. We ended up using the stroller the most. Sea-Tac TSA wont let you carry LO in the ERGO through security. I found it easiest to have LO in the stroller while I got everything else onto the table to scan. Then I picked her up out of the stroller, collapsed it and someone behind me was nice enough to put it on the table for me. 

I brought my diaper bag, but also purchased one of those quick change diaper changers. It was much easier to bring into the bathroom on the plane than the whole diaper bag! Also I had bottles with water in them, wasn't a big deal they just had to do extra tests on the bottles before I was able to head to my gate. 

If possible get your seat as close to the back as possible and hope you have really nice flight attendants. I was able to walk around the back galley when LO got fussy! 

Good luck and remember to have LO sucking on a bottle/boob/paci for take off and landing. It helps their ears relieve the pressure  

LuvTrav

I just got home last night. TSA in Dallas threw a fit when I tried to wear LO through the security even though the guy at the bag check told me it was okay. I didn't even bring her stroller, we checked the car seat and pack n play at the ticketing counter and I wore her everywhere. Much easier IMO. I guess it just depends on what you and your LO are used to. She stayed in her carrier during takeoff, no one said anything about taking her out. I'm sure it varies.

 Hope you have a wonderful trip! 

Heather & Nayt

I just got back from flying solo with both LOs. 

I  was allowed to wear her through security in Boise, but Sea-Tac freaked out, so I carried her through. 

I flew with Southwest and they were amazing. The first thing I would do is call your air lines and see what their rules are on everything, and ask about an escort pass for who ever is dropping you off at the airport so they can help you through security. That was invaluable having extra help through. Also check about priority boarding, that way you can get on and settled before everyone else starts boarding. You can also ask that if it's not a full flight to be moved to a seat with an empty one next to it. 

 Make friends with the flight attendants right away. They can be a very useful person to have on your side. I have learned 9 times out of 10 people are incredibly kind and willing to offer a hand to a mom traveling with kids if she is nice. 

Since I had ds with me, I baggage checked both car seats our double stroller plus all our bags, and then I gate checked our umbrella stroller, which would be waiting for me at the gate when we landed. I honestly didn't bring to much for DD to do, I just made sure she had plenty of bottles pre-made so I didn't have to mess with powder formula, a blanket and a binky. She chilled in the wrap the whole flight after take off and I they let me keep her in it landing. TSA just asked to do a quick check on her bottles and DS's sippy cup, so if you are bringing anything like that just give yourself some extra time. I actually brought 4 4-oz bottles and 2 6oz sippys with no problem. I also had infant tylenol and children's anti-nausea liquid with diaper rash cream go through security without a problem. TSA is a little more loose when young kids are involved. Just pack as light as possible! 

If you have room make sure you have a change or two of clothes for LO and put a quick change of clothes at the top of your bag where it's easy to get when you land, just in case.

If you are anything like me, you will feel really frazzled until you land, but take a deep breath because in case lo does scream the whole time, most people understand and it isn't the end of the world even though it feels like it. And let me tell you, DD was SO easy on the plane, it was the 2yo who was the PITA. I was the mom with 2 screaming kids, the toddler unbuckling his seat belt who then projectile threw up everywhere.  

Sorry that got long!

Good luck!