How to get through LAX singlehandedly with baby, carseat and carryons
May 30, 2017 11:48 AM Subscribe
Please help my wife get through LAX on her own with our son, his carseat, carryon baggage, and her sanity.
My family (me, my wife and our 20-month-old son) are going on a trip in June. Because I'll be away on a work trip the week prior, we are leaving from different airports and meeting at the destination. This is causing some anxiety so we're trying to come up with a good plan for handling the logistics. Here are the relevant details:
* Flight leaves from LAX at 6am. This was the only real option given our other constraints, not relevant to the question at hand. The flight is on SouthWest, if that matters.
* There will be a few bags to check.
* Carryons: diaper bag for the little guy, backpack and purse for my wife, car seat. Car seat has a carrying case/bag with wheels, but is still unwieldy at best.
* Our son is, as I mentioned, 20 months old. He will probably still fit in his ErgoBaby carrier, but is pretty big for it and doesn't love being in it. If he's not strapped in or tied down somehow, he will head off in whatever seems to be the most interesting direction.
So, what's the game plan here? We're pretty sure another family member will be able to drop her off, but at 4:30am it's unlikely that somebody will be able to come in to help her wrangle everything. The big concerns are:
1. How to get the bags to the bag check while keeping track of our son.
2. How to get through security while keeping track of our son.
3. How to handle boarding with the car seat while keeping track of our son.
4. Anything else we're not thinking of?
My family (me, my wife and our 20-month-old son) are going on a trip in June. Because I'll be away on a work trip the week prior, we are leaving from different airports and meeting at the destination. This is causing some anxiety so we're trying to come up with a good plan for handling the logistics. Here are the relevant details:
* Flight leaves from LAX at 6am. This was the only real option given our other constraints, not relevant to the question at hand. The flight is on SouthWest, if that matters.
* There will be a few bags to check.
* Carryons: diaper bag for the little guy, backpack and purse for my wife, car seat. Car seat has a carrying case/bag with wheels, but is still unwieldy at best.
* Our son is, as I mentioned, 20 months old. He will probably still fit in his ErgoBaby carrier, but is pretty big for it and doesn't love being in it. If he's not strapped in or tied down somehow, he will head off in whatever seems to be the most interesting direction.
So, what's the game plan here? We're pretty sure another family member will be able to drop her off, but at 4:30am it's unlikely that somebody will be able to come in to help her wrangle everything. The big concerns are:
1. How to get the bags to the bag check while keeping track of our son.
2. How to get through security while keeping track of our son.
3. How to handle boarding with the car seat while keeping track of our son.
4. Anything else we're not thinking of?
As for sanity? Sorry, that's the thing you forfeit traveling with a toddler. All you can do is gird your loins and pray you don't encounter delays. Like childbirth, you will forget the pain soon enough and be crazy enough to do it all again.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:57 AM on May 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:57 AM on May 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
We travelled internationally with our son when he was 18 months old. We used this car seat transporter: https://www.amazon.com/BRICA-Roll-Car-Seat-Transporter
It makes the carseat so that it wheels like a suitcase, but you can buckle your child into the seat and also use it like a weird stroller. Made it much easier to get him through the airport, and it was novel enough that he was kind of entertained.
If your son has a seat on the plane, he'll need the car seat on board (I couldn't quite tell if that's what you meant in your question). Car seats have to go in the window seat so as not to block anyone's egress in the case of an emergency. You can buckle him into his seat and then fasten the seat into the airplane seat to keep him from running all over the place. I wheeled him in the carseat into the plane, picked the seat up and put it on the plane seat, removed the wheels and put them in the overhead with my other bags, then buckled the seat into the plane seat. It was managable.
If he's a lap child, then you can do all of that with the car seat transporter and just gate check the car seat in the bag you mentioned.
Your other bags you'll want to have 4-wheel/spinner type suitcases, if possible, so that the luggage is easily moved with one hand. I was able to move two bags easily with one hand, and three in a pinch, with this type of luggage. I'd try to get her to condense the backpack and purse into one.
We had the Tula with us, but didn't actually use it for airport transit.
posted by terilou at 11:58 AM on May 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
It makes the carseat so that it wheels like a suitcase, but you can buckle your child into the seat and also use it like a weird stroller. Made it much easier to get him through the airport, and it was novel enough that he was kind of entertained.
If your son has a seat on the plane, he'll need the car seat on board (I couldn't quite tell if that's what you meant in your question). Car seats have to go in the window seat so as not to block anyone's egress in the case of an emergency. You can buckle him into his seat and then fasten the seat into the airplane seat to keep him from running all over the place. I wheeled him in the carseat into the plane, picked the seat up and put it on the plane seat, removed the wheels and put them in the overhead with my other bags, then buckled the seat into the plane seat. It was managable.
If he's a lap child, then you can do all of that with the car seat transporter and just gate check the car seat in the bag you mentioned.
Your other bags you'll want to have 4-wheel/spinner type suitcases, if possible, so that the luggage is easily moved with one hand. I was able to move two bags easily with one hand, and three in a pinch, with this type of luggage. I'd try to get her to condense the backpack and purse into one.
We had the Tula with us, but didn't actually use it for airport transit.
posted by terilou at 11:58 AM on May 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
The last time we were at LAX with small children, we were directed to a security line specifically for families, so have her ask for that, if she's not automatically directed. It moved a little faster, had a wider walkway (this particular one doubled as a line for folks in wheelchairs, with walkers, etc.), and seemed to have more assistance along the way, in general.
posted by weeyin at 12:01 PM on May 30, 2017
posted by weeyin at 12:01 PM on May 30, 2017
Go-Go-Babyz car seat stroller thingie. It rocks. Turns the car seat into a stroller so she can hang the diaper bag off the handle of the stroller adapter piece, wear the backpack and carry the purse. Totally doable! SkyCap the luggage.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 12:16 PM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by PorcineWithMe at 12:16 PM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Southwest is Terminal 1 and they have a well marked spot for Skycap service.
That gets your bags checked asap...
posted by calgirl at 12:39 PM on May 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
That gets your bags checked asap...
posted by calgirl at 12:39 PM on May 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
We took our 23mo old from Sydney to Hawaii and used a baby carrier and a trolley; he didn't have to have a car seat on the plane so we just rented one at our destination.
posted by jrobin276 at 12:41 PM on May 30, 2017
posted by jrobin276 at 12:41 PM on May 30, 2017
I would whittle the purse, backpack, and diaper bag down. Too much stuff to put down, pick up, put down pick up. It makes it all feel more frazzled to me.
I would also consider a leash. It could be helpful when she is at the counter handing over documents, etc.
Make sure you know what has to be pulled out at TSA and make it accessible and organized. Also, ugh, don't accidentally put a jar of peanut butter in your carry on and then have to unpack everything, etc.
I remember wearing one baby and carrying toddler twins with all our bags trying to get to our gate. Good rolling bags were key! I literally had to push them with my knees but I made it!
posted by beccaj at 12:44 PM on May 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
I would also consider a leash. It could be helpful when she is at the counter handing over documents, etc.
Make sure you know what has to be pulled out at TSA and make it accessible and organized. Also, ugh, don't accidentally put a jar of peanut butter in your carry on and then have to unpack everything, etc.
I remember wearing one baby and carrying toddler twins with all our bags trying to get to our gate. Good rolling bags were key! I literally had to push them with my knees but I made it!
posted by beccaj at 12:44 PM on May 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Make sure she has a ride to the airport and gate check the luggage.
Is it critical to bring the car seat on board? Can your son just sit in the airplane seat without the car seat? Depending on their size, the Cares Harness may work.
If you have to bring the car seat on board then Go-Go-Babyz.
Is she carrying anything critical in her purse? If possible, stick her wallet in the diaper bag and try to limit the number of bags she is carrying. A diaper bag, purse AND backpack seems like a lot.
Can she pack in advance and you fly out with suitcases for the whole family? So she only needs to check one small bag?
posted by avocado_of_merriment at 12:45 PM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Is it critical to bring the car seat on board? Can your son just sit in the airplane seat without the car seat? Depending on their size, the Cares Harness may work.
If you have to bring the car seat on board then Go-Go-Babyz.
Is she carrying anything critical in her purse? If possible, stick her wallet in the diaper bag and try to limit the number of bags she is carrying. A diaper bag, purse AND backpack seems like a lot.
Can she pack in advance and you fly out with suitcases for the whole family? So she only needs to check one small bag?
posted by avocado_of_merriment at 12:45 PM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
sorry! I missed the edit window...don't gate check...I meant that she should use curbside checkin for the luggage!
posted by avocado_of_merriment at 12:59 PM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by avocado_of_merriment at 12:59 PM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Where are you traveling to? Are you able to arrange for a carseat at the destination? Is your wife already planning to travel with the baby on her lap or does he have a purchased seat to accommodate the carseat?
You may have some luck if you call the airline and explain the situation to them and ask if there's any help available to get her to the gate. My husband once had surgery in Dallas and then returned to LAX alone, and I was able to arrange a wheelchair from the curb to the gate in Dallas and then gate to curb at LAX, where I picked him up. Obviously not the same issue as both your wife and son are able-bodied, but perhaps the airline has a good suggestion.
Tell her to check in with her FB mommy groups. I know there's a car service in the South Bay that specifically caters to getting families to the airport, and they have their own carseats so that you can leave yours at home (if you are able to arrange for one at the other end. When we went to visit family we ordered a carseat online and had it delivered to their house, and they showed up with it at the airport).
posted by vignettist at 1:00 PM on May 30, 2017
You may have some luck if you call the airline and explain the situation to them and ask if there's any help available to get her to the gate. My husband once had surgery in Dallas and then returned to LAX alone, and I was able to arrange a wheelchair from the curb to the gate in Dallas and then gate to curb at LAX, where I picked him up. Obviously not the same issue as both your wife and son are able-bodied, but perhaps the airline has a good suggestion.
Tell her to check in with her FB mommy groups. I know there's a car service in the South Bay that specifically caters to getting families to the airport, and they have their own carseats so that you can leave yours at home (if you are able to arrange for one at the other end. When we went to visit family we ordered a carseat online and had it delivered to their house, and they showed up with it at the airport).
posted by vignettist at 1:00 PM on May 30, 2017
0. Dress thoughtfully: slipoff shoes, no belt, no metal jewelry that takes time and mental power to remove during security.
1. Curbside check in the luggage. Child is either buckled in car seat or strapped in Ergo during this process so he doesn't run away in the parking lot. A few bucks' tip to get rid of the luggage asap is worth it.
2. If you don't need the car seat on board, check it at curbside as well. If you do need it on board, or if you plan to gateside check it, ditch the bag and get the car seat stroller thingy.
3. Consolidate the handheld items to purse-and-diaper-bag or backpack-and-diaper-bag. Don't bring a whole lot of toys for the flight; everything there becomes a toy. (Extra plastic cups! The window shade!)
4. Use your airport waiting time to exercise the baby as much as possible. You'll have plenty of time to sit on the plane.
5. Relax any screentime limits you have in normal life. Baby gets to play with the ipad/phone as long as he wants to.
posted by Liesl at 1:06 PM on May 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
1. Curbside check in the luggage. Child is either buckled in car seat or strapped in Ergo during this process so he doesn't run away in the parking lot. A few bucks' tip to get rid of the luggage asap is worth it.
2. If you don't need the car seat on board, check it at curbside as well. If you do need it on board, or if you plan to gateside check it, ditch the bag and get the car seat stroller thingy.
3. Consolidate the handheld items to purse-and-diaper-bag or backpack-and-diaper-bag. Don't bring a whole lot of toys for the flight; everything there becomes a toy. (Extra plastic cups! The window shade!)
4. Use your airport waiting time to exercise the baby as much as possible. You'll have plenty of time to sit on the plane.
5. Relax any screentime limits you have in normal life. Baby gets to play with the ipad/phone as long as he wants to.
posted by Liesl at 1:06 PM on May 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
We love the child seat strap, though it's easy to make your own if you are feeling crafty. Swap the backpack for a rolling suitcase, strap on the seat, that just leaves the diaper bag and you can take an oversize purse as the personal item. One item per shoulder and pulling the suitcase should be OK. Take advantage of family boarding and sit near other parents if possible and hopefully you can get some help with putting stuff up while you wrangle the carseat.
Is it possible for the checked luggage to go with someone else? If not, I think the skycaps / curbside check-in will be there; international flights (to Cancun, say) are going to be leaving as early as 6:20, so people would be showing up for those flights at 4. I might even try for 4:15 if this is the first solo trip and/or she is not familiar with security procedures. Thankfully, there should be no worry about keeping track of a 20-month-old in security. The kid is strapped into the seat or carrier, all items are loaded on the belt and sent through, then the kid is unstrapped, carrier/seat is sent through, and then the parent carries the child through the metal detector (not the nude scanner). Procedure is reversed on the other end of the belt. It's slow, sure, since you're basically doing two people's worth of stuff while holding onto a kid, but it's not crazy-making.
posted by wnissen at 1:24 PM on May 30, 2017
Is it possible for the checked luggage to go with someone else? If not, I think the skycaps / curbside check-in will be there; international flights (to Cancun, say) are going to be leaving as early as 6:20, so people would be showing up for those flights at 4. I might even try for 4:15 if this is the first solo trip and/or she is not familiar with security procedures. Thankfully, there should be no worry about keeping track of a 20-month-old in security. The kid is strapped into the seat or carrier, all items are loaded on the belt and sent through, then the kid is unstrapped, carrier/seat is sent through, and then the parent carries the child through the metal detector (not the nude scanner). Procedure is reversed on the other end of the belt. It's slow, sure, since you're basically doing two people's worth of stuff while holding onto a kid, but it's not crazy-making.
posted by wnissen at 1:24 PM on May 30, 2017
In certain circumstances, and your wife would definitely count as one here, you can ask for a "gate pass" that will let an adult get through security and accompany your wife all the way to the gate.
That person will need to bring an ID, of course, but that's all. My advice would be to arrive early in the checkin window and try to spot a friendly/sympathetic customer service agent. Ask nicely. I've done this a bunch of times when my wife and kids flew without me and I've never had trouble getting one.
posted by JoeZydeco at 1:50 PM on May 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
That person will need to bring an ID, of course, but that's all. My advice would be to arrive early in the checkin window and try to spot a friendly/sympathetic customer service agent. Ask nicely. I've done this a bunch of times when my wife and kids flew without me and I've never had trouble getting one.
posted by JoeZydeco at 1:50 PM on May 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks for all the answers so far.
To answer some of the questions asked above:
Is it critical to bring the car seat on board? Are you able to arrange for a carseat at the destination?
I know it's not absolutely required, but the little guy does have a purchased seat and it's recommended to have the carseat. We've traveled with it before and it seems to help him sleep on the plane, which will be best for all concerned.
We're not renting a car at the destination (Indianapolis), we're meeting family, none of whom have car seats since their kids are all 20+ at this point. So getting a carseat at arrival is out.
Looks like we will go with the Go-Go-Babyz thing or similar, which should solve the carseat problem.
We do have an extra carseat here, so we don't have to worry about getting that out of the car after arriving at the airport.
Can she pack in advance and you fly out with suitcases for the whole family? Is it possible for the checked luggage to go with someone else?
Not really. I'm leaving more than a week before the other two, and most of what they'll need to pack will also be needed in that week. (Also, although this is less important, I'm not flying on Southwest, so we'd have to pay for any checked bags, which we'd prefer not to do if possible.)
Curbside checkin does sound like it would be a good idea; I will call the airport to find out if it will be available that early. Consolidating personal stuff is also a good idea and I'm sure she would have done that anyway.
posted by number9dream at 1:54 PM on May 30, 2017
To answer some of the questions asked above:
Is it critical to bring the car seat on board? Are you able to arrange for a carseat at the destination?
I know it's not absolutely required, but the little guy does have a purchased seat and it's recommended to have the carseat. We've traveled with it before and it seems to help him sleep on the plane, which will be best for all concerned.
We're not renting a car at the destination (Indianapolis), we're meeting family, none of whom have car seats since their kids are all 20+ at this point. So getting a carseat at arrival is out.
Looks like we will go with the Go-Go-Babyz thing or similar, which should solve the carseat problem.
We do have an extra carseat here, so we don't have to worry about getting that out of the car after arriving at the airport.
Can she pack in advance and you fly out with suitcases for the whole family? Is it possible for the checked luggage to go with someone else?
Not really. I'm leaving more than a week before the other two, and most of what they'll need to pack will also be needed in that week. (Also, although this is less important, I'm not flying on Southwest, so we'd have to pay for any checked bags, which we'd prefer not to do if possible.)
Curbside checkin does sound like it would be a good idea; I will call the airport to find out if it will be available that early. Consolidating personal stuff is also a good idea and I'm sure she would have done that anyway.
posted by number9dream at 1:54 PM on May 30, 2017
Porters, porters, porters. Have small bills handy for tipping. I've done this and, while not fun, there are generally people around to help at key stages (unloading at the curb, baggage claim, etc.) If you've never used a porter before, you feel silly but so worth it.
posted by whitewall at 2:08 PM on May 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by whitewall at 2:08 PM on May 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
If one carseat is significantly lighter than the other, that's the one she wants to bring. And I agree about whittling down the carry-ons. If another backpack could be used as a diaper bag, for example, then she could put her purse in there and double-stack them so her arms are free for the carseat while the little guy rides in the carrier. He's gotta be worn through security at least. It makes it so easy: they let you keep the carrier on and just go through the metal detector, then they swab your hands and it's done. Nobody tries to rush the person wearing the baby, and I've actually gotten a lot of sympathy help from random strangers/TSA agents.
You know best if your kiddo will be rough to travel with but my only point of exasperation was the "no unattended baggage" rule when the little one just wanted to go for a stroll while we were waiting at the gate during a delay, so don't necessarily despair!
posted by teremala at 2:12 PM on May 30, 2017
You know best if your kiddo will be rough to travel with but my only point of exasperation was the "no unattended baggage" rule when the little one just wanted to go for a stroll while we were waiting at the gate during a delay, so don't necessarily despair!
posted by teremala at 2:12 PM on May 30, 2017
You may be able to cut down on the number or size of bags by shipping some of your stuff. UPS ground is 3-4 days from the LA area to the Indianapolis area. If your wife only has to deal with a day or two worth of clothes, essential medicine, and baby stuff, the diaper bag might be able to become a rolling carry-on instead. Then by consolidating purse and backpack, the overall load should be much more manageable, only having a rolling bag, rolling kid, and a backpack.
posted by wierdo at 2:29 PM on May 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by wierdo at 2:29 PM on May 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
I just did this last summer, when my sons were 17 months and 3.5. I was by myself and it was nuts, but I survived. The younger one was one my lap on the plane, but the older one had his car seat.
I also flew Southwest. I have flown a few times with them with kids and they have always been great.
I used the stroller to transport the car seat and our carry-on bags through the airport. I used bungee cords to strap the car seat to the stroller, and the bags hung off of the stroller handle. The toddler walked and I wore the baby in the Ergo. I don't usually carry a backpack but I did for this trip because it was easier. I had a backpack and one other bag. I had to take everything apart to go through security, but they let me keep the baby in the Ergo so at least I didn't have to worry about him running off.
I gate checked the stroller at end the gangway, so I was able to move everything pretty easily up to the last possible minute. On the way there another passenger helped me carry the car seat, but on the way off the plane a flight attendant help.
I'm trying to think of any other tips. Really my best tip is the stroller+bungee cords solution.
posted by apricot at 2:59 PM on May 30, 2017
I also flew Southwest. I have flown a few times with them with kids and they have always been great.
I used the stroller to transport the car seat and our carry-on bags through the airport. I used bungee cords to strap the car seat to the stroller, and the bags hung off of the stroller handle. The toddler walked and I wore the baby in the Ergo. I don't usually carry a backpack but I did for this trip because it was easier. I had a backpack and one other bag. I had to take everything apart to go through security, but they let me keep the baby in the Ergo so at least I didn't have to worry about him running off.
I gate checked the stroller at end the gangway, so I was able to move everything pretty easily up to the last possible minute. On the way there another passenger helped me carry the car seat, but on the way off the plane a flight attendant help.
I'm trying to think of any other tips. Really my best tip is the stroller+bungee cords solution.
posted by apricot at 2:59 PM on May 30, 2017
Oh, if your car seat is super heavy it might be worth it to buy a cheaper one just for travel. The first time we flew with a kid I bought an Evenflo something, and Cosco Sceneras are well-rated and super light.
posted by apricot at 3:00 PM on May 30, 2017
posted by apricot at 3:00 PM on May 30, 2017
If one reason you need extra checked bags is diapering supplies, buy them on amazon and ship them directly to your destination.
posted by freezer cake at 3:27 PM on May 30, 2017
posted by freezer cake at 3:27 PM on May 30, 2017
If your child fits (which they should at that age unless off the charts for growth) the Cosco Scenera Next is a great car seat that weighs about 4 lbs and costs $44.
Wear baby in Ergo, backpack on back. Strap car seat and other carry ons to car seat, and strap car seat to rolling luggage carrier. Remember baby gets a carry on plus personal item, too, so don't worry about cramming everything into one or two massive bags.
Good luck! And you are absolutely making the safest choice bringing the car seat on board.
posted by pecanpies at 4:19 PM on May 30, 2017
Wear baby in Ergo, backpack on back. Strap car seat and other carry ons to car seat, and strap car seat to rolling luggage carrier. Remember baby gets a carry on plus personal item, too, so don't worry about cramming everything into one or two massive bags.
Good luck! And you are absolutely making the safest choice bringing the car seat on board.
posted by pecanpies at 4:19 PM on May 30, 2017
I used this $12 cart from Walmart to pull my Carseat and carry ons around. Holds up to 75 lbs, comes with 2 bungee cords.
posted by pecanpies at 4:23 PM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by pecanpies at 4:23 PM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Terminal 1 often has out the door lines in the mornings.
Your wife should plan on the whole process taking an hour or so curb side to gate. It may not take an hour, but knowing that timeline will help dealing with the stress.
If she is taking any liquids gels aerosols for the child, they should be removed from the bag and placed in a bin. They will have to be screened.
One thing that has helped me- at LAX, only about a third of the TSA agents (officers) have ever ridden on a plane. So chances are if/when they bark at you, they have never gone through the process for real themselves.
posted by Monday at 6:12 PM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Your wife should plan on the whole process taking an hour or so curb side to gate. It may not take an hour, but knowing that timeline will help dealing with the stress.
If she is taking any liquids gels aerosols for the child, they should be removed from the bag and placed in a bin. They will have to be screened.
One thing that has helped me- at LAX, only about a third of the TSA agents (officers) have ever ridden on a plane. So chances are if/when they bark at you, they have never gone through the process for real themselves.
posted by Monday at 6:12 PM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sounds dumb maybe, but perhaps you can take one of her bags on your business trip so that you can get it to the destination. One less thing for her to deal with.
Hit a dollar store or wherever and find a couple of new toys for the little one that get given to them when you need them to chill and follow instructions.
Skycap sounds like a good idea. This is a problem to throw a bit of money at.
The usual travellers tricks apply as well. Slip on shoes, no belt buckles, liquids where they can be found easily, keys and change put away so they don't slow you down at security, etc.
My sister did a flight on her own with kids 2,3,5,and 7 last month, so this is a thing people do without losing their minds. Gate attendant told her she was "iron momming," which puts it nicely.
posted by thenormshow at 6:44 PM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hit a dollar store or wherever and find a couple of new toys for the little one that get given to them when you need them to chill and follow instructions.
Skycap sounds like a good idea. This is a problem to throw a bit of money at.
The usual travellers tricks apply as well. Slip on shoes, no belt buckles, liquids where they can be found easily, keys and change put away so they don't slow you down at security, etc.
My sister did a flight on her own with kids 2,3,5,and 7 last month, so this is a thing people do without losing their minds. Gate attendant told her she was "iron momming," which puts it nicely.
posted by thenormshow at 6:44 PM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
In addition to consolidating: Can you ask someone in your Indianapolis family to buy that travel car seat there in Indiana, instead of buying it online or in L.A. in advance, and they can have it waiting in their car for you when they pick you up? Pay them back when you get there, and at the end of the visit when you're traveling together and things are easier just bring it home with you -- you'll have it for your next trip.
posted by flourpot at 8:36 PM on May 30, 2017
posted by flourpot at 8:36 PM on May 30, 2017
Just wanted to mention that your wife may benefit from doing practice runs of this, to foresee potential errors. I traveled solo with a toddler and found a backpack and stroller was the easiest. But I didn't take a car seat - if I had, I think one of those strollers the car seat sits on is the best solution. But just make sure your wife has a chance to practice dismantling the seat off the stand or collapsing the stroller. Because it's stressful when you're at the gate, managing a toddler and trying to collapse a new stroller that you don't have experience with.
I did find people were very helpful and other parents went out of their way to help me carry things, help entertain the child and just be friendly. The airline workers at the gate should also help check the stroller and carry the seat on board.
Also if she wants a purse, I recommend a small cross body purse. Keep cards, tickets in there for easy access and carry all baby supplies in backpack. Check all other luggage. I actually usually skip the purse and fit that stuff in a backpack pocket, but that's a personal preference.
posted by areaperson at 11:55 AM on May 31, 2017
I did find people were very helpful and other parents went out of their way to help me carry things, help entertain the child and just be friendly. The airline workers at the gate should also help check the stroller and carry the seat on board.
Also if she wants a purse, I recommend a small cross body purse. Keep cards, tickets in there for easy access and carry all baby supplies in backpack. Check all other luggage. I actually usually skip the purse and fit that stuff in a backpack pocket, but that's a personal preference.
posted by areaperson at 11:55 AM on May 31, 2017
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posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:52 AM on May 30, 2017 [4 favorites]