Questions about traveling with a toddler...

skittleblu

Do they share my seat or do I purchase their own?

Can I bring my carseat?  Pack n play?  Stroller?  Are those free to fly?  Do I need to check them or can they carry on?

Any other recommendations or things I'm not thinking of?

 

rockychryslerb2010

My 10 month old is always on the move, but does well when in the car in his car seat.  We got him a seat for our 10 hr flight to Hawaii this weekend.  We would be miserable trying to contain him to our laps during the flight with no seat to put him in.  We're bringing our car seat for him to use on the flight, and in our rental car.  If you don't buy a seat, you can't bring the carseat on the plane.  I've read you shouldn't check the car seat with your regular luggage because it can get pretty banged up (you don't know what it will go through), so you should gate check it.  We're bringing our pack n play and small umbrella stroller.  I'm pretty sure the umbrella stroller will be free (we plan to gate check).  You might have to pay for pack 'n play, not sure.  Don't forget, if you buy your LO a seat, you also have their baggage allowance that comes with their ticket.  I'm only seen infant fares for international flights.

There were a few posts on this in the last few days, I just gave some tips to something on the 9 month board, you can check there too. 

Netty_3

It depends on whether you purchase as eat for them. 2 and under are free and may sit on your lap, older than that you have to pay.  If you choose to pay for your LO to have their own seat they are typically 1/2 price if under 2.  I would put LO in their carseat on the plane, just like in the car. Car seat otherwise may be checked in, your stroller may count as a carry on and be checked at the gate, pack and play may be checked at the counter. Just know there are fees for luggage, etc.

CheezeFace

We fly all the time with our DS.  We've been to Hawaii (5-6 hours)  cross country a few times (14+ hours).  If you have the funds, purchase a seat.  If you don't, it's usually not so bad if you get an aisle seat and the flight crew is understanding and cooperative that you need to walk, etc....our best experience was with a flight crew who let us stand In the back galley with the baby.  Ive also had the opposite experience with a really nasty crew member who wouldn't even let us stand in the aisle...not a seatbelt thing...she was just mean.  That flight was a nightmare.

DS is not a cuddler and so there were a few times that I went to the facilities with the changing table and just let him lay or sit.  He just gets sick of being held.  

If you wear your baby, this is a huge help, especially if you have to walk/ carry for hours on end.  I like the bjorn for flying vs. the moby or ergo. More options and it's just easier, IMHO.

i also try to bring along a brand new toy... Or I hide one of his favorites a few days before we fly So it feels like new.

Obvi be ready to breast feed or bottle feed pretty much on demand...all schedules are out the window when traveling for us.  Depending on how old your LO is I love having lots of mum-mums around.

Like I said before I wear the bjorn on to the plane but I gate check our snap and go stroller and carseat. I check the carseat base with my luggage.  this usually has to go through TSA oversized bag security and can add extra time to your check in process...just FYI.

One other hint: get to the airport early!  If you get there with enough time, the crew will usually try to work with you to arrange your seats so you can have a row to yourself, etc....we usually try to get to the airport 2.5 hrs before our flight.  By the time we get seats rearranged, get through security, etc...we usually have about 30-45 minutes before boarding.  Just enough time for LO to get some wiggles out and enough time for every person at the gate to silently plead to not have to sit next to us.  Lol.

Im not sure if a pack and play counts as luggage but I bet it would. 

Good luck!  Hope this helps.