Having family residing hundreds or even thousands of miles away from you isn’t unusual. When you have children, the regular trips can transform into journeys of learning and adventure. As an experienced parent who has traveled extensively with children of all age groups, it has become clear that travel becomes much easier (and expensive) as children age.
When children are small, traveling with a car seat and stroller becomes an inevitable part of your journey. For a parent, at the beginning, this can seem like a daunting task. But it becomes simpler after some experience and finding the perfect strategy that fits your needs.
For instance, when it comes to car seats, they are a necessity for to-and-fro travel to your location. This stands true except for instances where you’re walking off the runway to your destination. Even though it is legal to hold your baby in your lap during the flight, it comes with some risks. Therefore, parents are generally advised to install car seats on the plane and restrain their child in that car seat, preferably in the direction they’d sit if they were in a car.
Managing a stroller through an airport can sometimes be challenging, particularly when you’re checking your stroller. Nonetheless, there are ways to alleviate this concern. A practical solution might include getting a lightweight, folding dolly and strapping it on (but never with your kid in it!).
If your child is a bit older and has transitioned to forward-facing seats, a travel car seat could come in handy. It typically folds up and comes with its own carrying bag. Just keep in mind that the car seat needs to fit in the aircraft. In case it doesn’t, the onus falls on the airline to provide a child-restraint system that fits or accommodate you in another seat with similar services.
When it comes to checking in a car seat, it’s advisable to cover it up with a car seat bag, making sure you have labeled it to prevent any confusion since most car seat bags look alike. You can check it either upon arrival as you would any luggage or at the gate, depending on your circumstance. Interestingly, possession of lightweight or travel strollers that are small enough to fit in the overhead bin has often been recommended, as they make flying with a baby as stress-free as it can be.
Traveling with a car seat and stroller, despite the initial hurdles, does not have to be daunting. In fact, the following tips might help you streamline your journey even further:
– When in a two-parent household or when traveling with two adults, have one adult do early boarding to get everything situated, including bags, stroller, snack kits, etc. The other adult can stay with the children, burning off some energy before boarding the plane last.
– On deciding to check the car seat, wrap it in bubble wrap before putting it in the bag to ensure its safety.
– Bring a fold-up toilet seat in your diaper bag.
– Always have an extra thin blanket handy, possibly to block any inappropriate in-flight entertainment from your child’s view.
– Click some pictures of your car seat and stroller before you check them to prevent disputes with the airline regarding any damage that may occur.
In conclusion, traveling with a car seat and a stroller is not as big a hurdle as it initially appears to be. With the right preparation and the correct tools, the journey could be as enjoyable as the destination. So gear up and brace yourself for fun trips ahead with your little ones.
