I will be taking my 5 mo. on a plane for the first time and we are going to the carribean. I was trying to decide if i should take a stroller or maybe a light weight umbrella stroller to the airport or just take the bjorn.
Is a sling better than a bjorn for traveling?
Hello Catherine,
We have two boys now ages 61/2 and 8. We have always taken them on trips with us to Europe since they were babies. We would always take a light weight umbrella stroller, checking them in at the airplane door. Then picking them back up when we deplaned. We also brought our Bjorn, it was easy to pack and lightweight, but we used it a lot as well. The umbrella stollers are inexpensive, so if they break or wear out on your trip, it is disposable and you can purchase another one at your visiting destination if needed. Rhonda
I would vote sling. The Bjorn was great for walking but the sling is great for sitting on the airplane.
The stroller always helped with the luggage as I rolled through the airport but there seems to be better solutions these days. I would vote to leave the big stroller at home.
Have a great time!
If you can find one, the best thing is a combo car seat and stroller. They convert from seat to stroller and can be used in the taxi or if you rent a car.
We bought the Chico lightweight stoller when we traveled to NY. It worked out great- it has a travel bag so it doesn't get so beat up and dirty when you gate check it and it was helpful to have once we got there. However, my daughter was older (bigger) at the time so the sling was not an option. If you don't think you'll mind wearing the sling then that may be the way to go.
I would suggest a moby wrap. I used one with my two month old at the aiport, and it was very helpful. It doesn't have any metal on it, so I could wear it through the metal detectors without disturbing the baby.
The sling for sure! Strollers are a pain to stow
I've been traveling with my son since he was 8 months old (now almost 15 months) and we've put in a lot of airmiles over the past few months. I always brought both a sling and stroller. The last trip, however, my husband was along (had been deployed) and he suggested leaving the stroller at home. It was a mistake for us! We ended up having to wait a couple of hours for boarding and we had to entertain him for most of that because he was tired and wouldn't sleep in the carrier. He finally did pass out while I held him, but I would have been happier if I'd had the stroller. Yes, it's bulky and I definitely would still bring the sling. For me, if he didn't want to ride I put all of our bags in it!
I travel when my daughter was 2 months old and I took her infant car seat and the stroller. You can gate check both of them and if there is room on the plane you can take the infant seat which I highly recommend. Also have a pacifier or bottle for take off and landing. Best wishes.
I found that taking the sling or the Bjorn was best for us. I didn't like having to lug the stroller through the airport. And, my sons (now age 3 and 1 1/2 yrs.) were not great about riding in the stroller. I usually took the Bjorn since it gave me both hands free. As they got older, we used a backpack baby carrier, like some people use while hiking. It was great because it put the baby up high so they could see everything and kept both hands free. It also stows in the overhead baggage compartment.
Take your stroller and your baby bjorn. You will not regret having your stroller with you and more t han likely if you don't take one with you I bet you will be bringing one home. I have done a lot of traveling with the little ones and as big of a hassle as it can be, the stroller is essential. Just check the stroller at the gate of the terminal. It is super simple and you don't have to do it until right before you board.
I have flown with my son numerous times and I recommend stroller. They will not let you use the sling on the airplane, for one. If you get delayed or have to walk far in the airport, the stroller is better. It also give you a place to put your carry ons.
I LOVE having my stroller in the airport. It makes things so much easier to get through the airport. I can pile up all my stuff on it!
We took a stroller and it was very convenient to have. It's not counted as regular luggage and you check it right at the gate. I took the Bjorn too.
We did both when my oldest was 3 months old, the stroller is useful for holding things even if baby isn't in there and it is nice to have a sling on the airplane (especially if you are nursing). AND it was nice to have the stroller for him to nap in when we were at relatives houses.
Hi Catherine.
I would take both.
When we traveled with our then babies we always took a stroller and the snugli. When our baby was not in the stroller the snugli held smaller items that we did not wish to hold or carry and the stroller was great to carry everything and free our hands when baby was in the snugli or in our arms. We never felt overwhelmed with all the items/bags needed when traveling with children.
By the way, the stroller we took had the stroller/carrier seat combination so we were able to secure them into whichever vehicles we traveled in after the flights and during our trip.
Have fun!
Debbie
I have a 17 month old son and we have traveled across country 6 times since he was a month old. I have found that taking a stroller works best for us. It gives him an opportunity to stretch out and not be held while we are in between flights and gave me a chance to have my hands free for a little bit too. If you have a stroller that you can easily pull open and close, then it really isn't that much extra work to have it. They will tag it for you when you are boarding your flight and you leave it outside of the plane. When you get off it is there waiting for you! One other travel little travel tip I would give you is have something for him to suck on while you are taking off or landing, this will help his ears. Good luck and have a great trip!
I would take both. With my experience flying I would definitely take your larger stroller which i know can be a bit of a hassle but you will be so glad that you took it bc those floppy umbrella strollers are crap. Now a couple of things you will be doing, if you are giving him formula you will have to declare it right before you walk through security due to those liquid rules. You will also required to have your stroller go through security so make sure that you go through the special securitygate marked with strollers and wheelchairs, if you need help somebody at DFW can point you in the right direction. Once you get to your gate you can check in your stroller and just use the bjorn. A flight attendant will take your stroller down to te belly of the plane and put it safetly down with the luggage. Once you land that is going to be the first thing theywill take out and have it ready to go for you once you walk off the plane. Then you just put your child in snap them in and off you go to get your luggage.
Plus you can use the sling when your just going out for a quick walk once you get to your destination. You are not going to want to have to hold your child in your arms the entire time while you are vacationing. I loved my sling that Ihave for my daughter however I just used it for quick trips to the grocery, mall, etc nothing long term at all like a vacation.
Plus the great things about the larger stroller is it has that extra storage bins that you can put their diaper bag or whatever else you are carrying. I wouldn't use an umbrealla stroller unless you are going on a quick getaway and once they are 12 months or so, bc those strollers are not meant for children who cannot fully sit up yet. I used my umbrella stroller on a week trip to florida for mycousin's wedding back in August and it was awful! Mydaughter was 13 months and I had just gotten the umbrella stroller. While it is extremely light weight and much easier to navigatel I still prefer mty GRACO Laura Ashleystroller. Plus it will come in handy when your in the carribbean when you go out walking on different terrains of ground. Those umbrealla strollers just don't work well unless they are on a smooth surface. Good luck!
check out the home-made slings at www.wearyourbaby.com
I used one of them when I traveled and it's much better in a crowded place, and baby feels secure in the hub-bub.
One of these moms says "they" won't "let you use a sling"... I don't know what she's talking about, of course you can use a sling. And then you won't have to fold, store and haul that stroller!
I strongly recommend taking the lightweight stroller with you to the airport. You can stroll the baby all the way to the door of the plane, and once there the attendents will tag it for you, load it in the luggage, and have it waiting for you when you unload, by the door outside the plane. If I were you I would go ahead and buy a nice lightweight stroller like the Chicco red one. It folds up like an umbrella but it has a basket underneath, a canopy overhead, and is more supporting for the child. Oh, and it also comes with a bag w/ strap like the folding chairs! It was about $50 when I bought it 3 years ago, and they may have come out with better ones since, but it is well worth it and you will use it again as baby grows into a toddler. Hope that helps!