I think the slings are much easier. I carry my baby girl everywhere in our wrap. They love being close to you, and are less likely to get fussy. The umbrella stroller is so light though, you could probably bring both, just to change it up a bit. Have fun!
I have flown with my son Jacob about 12 times in the past 3 years. I have found that the less you take the better. It was easier for me to use a sling or carrier and check the stroller. You can gate check it and they have it ready for you when you get off the plane, but it still really slowed us down. I think it depends on how free you want to be and how active your child is. If your child is peaceful in the carrier go for it. I do not like a front carrier. Feels ackward on the plane b/c is such a tight fit in the rows. I prefer my sling-esp. if you will be nursing during flight. The first time is always a learning experience. You will know how better to fly home for sure.
It depends, do you want a stroller or a sling when you get to your destination? Way the pros and cons of each. A sling you can carry to the beach, a stoller does NOT stroll on sand, etc.
If it's an issue about getting on the plane. Most Airlines let families and people with equipment board first, so that really shouldn't be an issue.
Best of Luck!
We take our big stroller and gate check it. That way we can also put the carseat in it, which we also gate check. (Too many stories of people's luggage arriving, but no carseat!) I also like to have a sling or Bjorn (Bjorn may be more secure, but I used a sling.) You shouldn't have to take baby out for security, which is great! Stroller also works well for throwing stuff in. Our jogging stroller is too big for the x-ray machine, so they do a hand check on it. Sling/Bjorn also gets great friendly looks and "aww"s, which can help with the stress of traveling! Good luck!
With the baby bjorn you have to take it off going through the check because of the metal snaps a hotsling you can wear the whole time. The stroller with have to break down to be check also. I like the stroller the hold the diaper bag and things I am taking on the plane but use my sling for my baby girl.It is very easy to gate check the stroller and car seat if you need too.
We always traveled with a sling or a mei tai, easy to use, easy to store and not heavy or bulky. Some airlines will request that you take your child out of the sling or mei tai during take off and landing...other airlines don't seem to have a preference. : )
I thought the sling was extremely convenient for nursing on the plane and once at our destination.
I usually try to travel as light as possible on the airline - because it's less to lug around when we arrive.
Have fun on your trip!
I have had much better luck with the sling for traveling (you could still pack the Bjorn in your suitcase for once you get there). For me, the sling was wonderful on the plane as I used it to help nurse discreetly on the plane and to hold the baby so my arms didn't get so tired. Even when your baby is awake or bigger, you can use the sling to wrap around your waist and theirs as a little added protection when they are sitting on your lap. It works wonders until they sit in their on own seat. To me, it was just an added safety measure for a lap child AND incredibly convenient!! Once I even tucked my arms inside it with the baby to stay warm on the plane!!:) As far as an umbrella stroller.....they are also incredibly convenient in the airport, and they will check them at the airplane door (or hang them inside the plane) and have it waiting for you when you deboard, but I would leave your big stroller at home. Have fun!
I never had enough hands to make using the sling practicle. I took it the first time I flew and found myself needing to carry a diaper bag, a backpack, and my purse, not to mention having mine and the baby's passport and boarding cards ready at all time! Everytime after that I have taken an umbrella folder and been able to hang the carry on bags off the back. If you are traveling alone, remember that just before you step on the plane, you will be ezpected to fold up your stroller while you are holding onto your baby (that is why I took an umbrella stroller instead of our big one) so make sure whatever you take you can collapse with one hand. I have flown been overseas 7 times with my son and everytime has been a bit of a challenge, but everytime it has gone smoothly. Have a great trip!
when going thrue security they will make you take the sling of same with the stroller they will make you take him out and put the stroller in the scanner.i preffered the sling when i went to florida.my sister used the stroller for her daughter and liked it better.if you are going to need a stroller while on vacation i would take it instead.have fun.edna
Hi Catherine! Congratulations on travelling with your baby. At this age, it seems so hard -- but you will look back and say, "Wow, that wasn't that bad!"
Choosing a carrier is going to be a matter of personal preference. I took my older daughter on something like 20 flights in her first year (including various legs) and she had travelled internationally twice before she was two.
I generally chose to wear her and bring the lightweight, cheap-o stroller to tote the stuff. This is particularly convenient as you go through customs and you have to tote both the child and all your other stuff. Having a stroller that you don't have to gate-check is great, because otherwise it may have to wait for you to get all the way to your baggage claim before you can get to it.
As for the sling vs. bjorn -- it really depends on what you are most comfortable with. The bjorn leaves your hands completely free, but my babies always slept better in the sling -- and it was easier on my back. In either case, you are going to have to take them out of their carrying device during takeoff (Stupid FAA policy).
Anyway, have a good vacation and try not to overpack!
I've taken it all at one time or another. Here's my advice:
1. No matter what you take, you have to take the baby out to go through security.
2. The umbrella stroller is always good because you can check it at the gate or even take it on the plane and hang it in the coat closet. If you have to take the baby out and carry it for a while, the stroller also makes a good luggage cart :)
3. A bjorn is nice, but you will have to remove the baby on the plane. It is good in that your arms are free.
4. Slings are GREAT! I recently traveled with my 11 month old and 5 year old. I got the baby to sleep in the sling while standing at the gate and then she slept in it for 1 1/2 hours while on the plane! They did not ask me to remove her from it while I was on the plane like they do with a bjorn. In general, I find slings very versatile in that you can position your baby many ways. But make sure you are comfortable wearing it before you go. I find it best to get the baby in and stand up, swaying until they are asleep. To keep them asleep while sitting, gently rock them or jiggle them a little.
So there are advantages and disadvantages to all of them. Think about what you'll be doing at your destination and what you'll need there.
I would take the sling or bjorn. My children never last long in strollers, so it is easier for our family to just start with the baby carrier.
My husband is in the Air Force and deployed a lot. I had three kids in four years and I always had an infant (or 2) to take with me when I went home. I had a Graco travel system with the carseat that fits into the stroller and I LOVED IT. The only time it is a pain is when you go through security, usually you have to take the baby out of the carseat and fold the stroller up to fit it in the scanner, but people always fell over themselves trying to help. Then, you have the stroller to put your purse in and diaper bag and carryon stuff. You can take the stroller to the gate where you ask the desk clerk for a "stroller tag." You can take the stroller even onto the jetway right up to the door of the plane. Then you pop out the carseat with baby and they will take the stroller for you and put it under the plane. (If the plane is not full, you can move seats and strap the carseat right in to the seat next to you - or it usually will fit in the overhead bin...if not, the flight attendents will take it for you and stow it.) When you get off the plane, they will put it back at the door like where you left it, so you pop it open, put the carseat in it and go! It is ridiculously convenient. When you get to the islands, almost all transportation will have room for a strolller and it is not as hot as carrying baby heat generator the whole time. Again, the stroller pockets are great for storing wallets, sunglasses, extra suntan lotion etc. Good luck and have fun!
I would definitely recommend a stroller and a bjorn. We've traveled several times with our now 9 month son (once to Hawaii at 5 months) and it is far easier to have him in a stroller while at the airport and then use the bjorn/sling for getting on/off the plane. We have a combi stroller that folds up fairly compactly and is lightweight but is more comfortable than an umbrella stroller (he can actually sleep in the stroller). It is so easy to gate check the stroller.
I would definitely take a stroller. I took my daughter when she was quite young and the stroller helped so much to get her around the airport with my carry on luggage and for carrying her bottles, toys, etc.
I would just take the sling it is one less thing to have to check in and carry. You might not even use it much anyway if you do take it.
Lots of people have already replied but I thought I would add that it's easier/quicker to get a baby in and out of the sling then a front/back carrier. It's not as comfortable long term, but for that I'd use a stroller.
I have a light weight Baby Trend stroller that is really great, sturdy, has a basket. I take this along with my Over the Shoulder Baby Holder with me everywhere. They are both very handy in their own right!
Sarah in Houston, mom to four girls under five
I would take the sling, I've flow alot with my daughter when she was younger. With all the Security you have to go through in the airport a stroller turns into a pain in the butt! You have to take the baby out when you go through securty, plus on the plan the sling will help, those seats are so uncomfortable already, that having baby sleep and your pretty much hands free is really nice. Well good luck.
My husband and I have traveled several times now with our 6 mo. twins. I would highly recommend bringing the bjorn AND an umbrella stroller. You will likely find yourself in situations where one or the other is more convenient to use.
I have traveled so many times with my son who is just now 11 months and I have to say the bjorn was amazing to have. I could put him in there and he was less squirmy then if I were holding him and I still had two hands. It worked like a seatbelt on the plane since on the 8 trips the poor boy has taken (one to Australia at 2 months) we were too cheap to buy him a ticket. You might want to call the airlines and beg for a bulkhead seat depending on how heavy your son is he might fit in the attachable bassinet they have in the bulkhead seats. The downside of bulkhead is you can't put your diaper bag and arsenal of entertainment under the seat in front of you. You might want to check a stroller so you have one while you are at your destination. Hope you have a great trip.