Air Travel - wwyd?

[Smirkin]

I'm planning a solo airline trip with my 4-month-old. I have a bjorn that she likes sometimes (she eventually gets annoyed b/c she can't suck her thumb) but I can only wear it for so long before it hurts my back. I also have an Ergo but I've tried it a few times with a folded blanket as an insert, and it was great for me but seemed to squish her a little too tightly against my chest (I did Ergo's recommended infant insert style of putting her in sideways).

I have the option of borrowing a maya wrap or a moby wrap from a friend, or I could use this as an excuse to buy something else

-OR- I could just take the stroller and check it at the gate with the carseat. I don't think I'll need a stroller once I'm at my destination, but it's not such a terrible thing to have on hand either.

wwyd?

[MoonStarFalling]

I'd go with the maya. I really enjoyed using my sling at the airport when dd was that age.

[lifeguard]

I used my moby-style when we flew a couple of weeks ago. It was wonderful & I didn't even have to remove him from it for take off/landing so he slept snugly most of the flight.

[icy02]

I would go with the moby. I recently just traveled with my LO and it was perfect. Also b/c there is no metal you can leave your LO in the wrap while you get through security. This was essential for me b/c I was flying by myself.

[apple_juice]

Originally Posted by icy02

I would go with the moby. I recently just traveled with my LO and it was perfect. Also b/c there is no metal you can leave your LO in the wrap while you get through security. This was essential for me b/c I was flying by myself.

Security made me take my baby out of the moby and made me take off the moby and put it through the xray. I bring my ergo now so I don't have to retie just buckle and go. Also might consider a mie tai too.

The airline also made me remove babe from the carrier during take off and landing.

[L&K'smommie]

Originally Posted by apple_juice

Security made me take my baby out of the moby and made me take off the moby and put it through the xray. I bring my ergo now so I don't have to retie just buckle and go. Also might consider a mie tai too.

The airline also made me remove babe from the carrier during take off and landing.

I think this all depends on the airport and the flight attendants really. I've never had to take my kids out of the Ergo or Moby when going thru airport security and that's at many different airports. I've never kept my kids in the Ergo on the plane but when ds was 2 1/2 months old I flew with him in the Moby and out of 6 total flights was only told to take him out once. It was wonderful since I also had my 2 yo dd with me and was by myself. And because the Moby is so stretchy it's very easy to take the baby in and out of. My ds only came out of it to nurse or get a diaper change that entire trip. If you don't think you'll need a stroller when you get there then don't bother taking it with you.

Have you tried the Ergo now without anything else in it? At 4 months I would think it would be fine without a blanket or the infant insert. If that works you may like it more since you are comfortable with it all ready.

[jocelynr]

I say use the Ergo (without the inserts) or borrow the Moby. Or if you really want to buy a new carrier, go with a mei tai or buckle tai. The stroller will just be more things for you to worry about keeping up with in the airport.

[baturay]

I'd go with something easy to take on and off if you do need to do so at the gate. Neither of my kids would have lasted long in a stroller at that age, so if it were me, I'd take a carrier for sure, even if you do take the stroller along.

,

[maymorales]

I have to second the Ergo without the insert.

I was asked to take my ds out of my Beco once but I was sent to secondary. one of the lucky winners to be randomly picked out as they rump through my luggage and diaper bag.

Most of the time, if I strap the seat belt over myself, the flight attendant was okay with that. It's the same thing as the baby being on my lap. ykwim?

[ChetMC]

Security

For all of our flights since DS was born, about a dozen flight legs in the last ten months, I've been asked to take the baby out of the carrier and to put the carrier through the x ray machine at security... metal or no metal. For this, I find the sling (maya wrap) the fastest and easiest by far.

Although, because we're traveling with three kids, three carseats, a stroller and carry on luggage we'll do anything we can to shave 30 seconds at security and make things as efficient as possible. With one child I'd probably just pick the carrier you and your baby would find the most comfortable. My SIL has an Ergo and I think my Beco and my slings probably pack smaller, but if you're planning to wear the carrier on the plane packing isn't really an issue.

I wouldn't bring the stroller unless you're going to need it at your destination, or unless it will help you cart stuff through the airport. For example, we have used our stroller specifically to transport a car seat before (although we also needed the stroller at our destination).

[michelleklu]

I used a thin stretchy wrap on the last trip I had. My daughter was 5 months and really didn't mind being in there. I could easily pop her in and out and security and the flight attendants didn't ask me to take it off.

If your flight is a longer flight (I had to fly from California to Korea and was on planes and in airports for nearly 20 hours!), then I'd definitely recommend a wrap, otherwise a sling would be great for a short trip.

[Southern_Belle]

I just flew this weekend NYC to Charlotte and was allowed to keep DD in my ERGO. That just took a peak in to see her and I was "hand-searched" at LGA, but that was it.

As far as the insert, have you tried it with you LO in the froggie position? There is a video for it on the ERGO site. DD hated the side carry with the insert, but LOVED the other. She's a little lady - at 5 months, she's just hitting 14 pounds, so we used the insert for a very long time.

[icy02]

Originally Posted by ChetMC

For all of our flights since DS was born, about a dozen flight legs in the last ten months, I've been asked to take the baby out of the carrier and to put the carrier through the x ray machine at security... metal or no metal.

I am soooooo glad they didn't me wake up my sleeping 7 week old to take out of the wrap. That would have been a huge nightmare!!!

BTW I took two carriers the moby and hotsling as neither have metal (its worth the try.... if security makes you take baby out, ugh!!) I also liked them because they fold up smaller than an ergo would. I had to keep switching wraps so my LO wouldnt get stuck in one position the whole day.

Just something to keep in mind....

[juliav]

Originally Posted by Southern_Belle

As far as the insert, have you tried it with you LO in the froggie position? There is a video for it on the ERGO site. DD hated the side carry with the insert, but LOVED the other. She's a little lady - at 5 months, she's just hitting 14 pounds, so we used the insert for a very long time.

I can't find this video...can you point me to it?

Smirkin: my DD is 17 weeks and we just tried the front carry today for the first time. She seemed ok with it although I found it worked better if I put a rolled up receiving blanket under her bum to lift her up a bit since her legs aren't long enough to bend at the knee at the edge of the carrier (does that make sense?). We are traveling in in April too and I could have written your post

[flower01]

I vote moby. Easy to pop babe in and out. I was never asked to remove it - it's a piece of cloth!!! And it's comfy to wear for the whole ride.

[russsk]

We've taken about 20 flights in the last year, and the only times I was able to keep DS in his sling/wrap/ergo was outside the U.S. I usually use either a ring sling or a mei tai traveling in the states, because those are the easiest for me to take off/put on and transport. I've been told to remove the wrap, which was a huge pain.

We've taken the stroller to wheel the bucket, but don't use a stroller now that DS is out of the bucket. Way too much of a hassle.

[kalisis]

moby is great b/c you can sometimes get away with leaving it on through security (no metal rings). I loved my maya though - I still use it to travel with DD who is 2 every month. It's quick, easy and folds up nicely in my bag.

I wouldn't take a stroller if you can get away with it.

[MoonStarFalling]

A long time ago they let me go through once with ds in the sling. It was hit or miss. Now they make me remove everything. A wrap would be just like a jacket I think and they make you remove all jackets. I'm surprised anyone recently has gotten through with slings on that hasn't been our experience at all.

[dogmom327]

I traveled via air multiple times (starting at 4 mo) with DS. We always used the Ergo but the Moby would have been fine when he was still that little.