Traveling with an infant

I am taking my DD next week to Minnesota for the first time. She is 4 months now and I am worried about the whole process. I want to gate check my stroller, b/c we bought her a ticket and she has her own seat and we are taking the carseat too. I have to have both b/c if we carry just the carseat it gets kind of heavy and if we didn't take either that would be a mess considering she can't sit up yet on her own. I was just wondering how many of you have gate checked your strollers and what was the outcome. Was your stroller damaged or missing? I have the Peg Perego Pliko P3 and it was $$$ so I don't want it damaged or not there when we get there. I was going to invest in a snap n go stroller just for the trip or either a Peg Perego storage bag for the stroller. Both costing me the same so I didn't know which route to go. I read lots of reviews on both and they both sounded good. Any suggestions? My DH doesn't want a bobo stroller he says...why I have no clue, but I thought the snap n go was a great idea considering it was only $50 bucks I would be losing rather than $300 if something were to happen. Any suggestions as far as traveling with her too would help!
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lots of babydust to all!!!!!!!!!!

[kierstynsmommy]

Hi...I have been traveling with my baby since she was 1.5 months old on an airplane.  She is now 13months.  I have gate checked my stroller a few times and have never had any problems.  I have taken a car seat and a stroller and if the flight was not full, then they let me take my car seat on the plane with me instead of having to gate check it.  You might want to have her suck on a paciee or on a bottle during take off and landings to prevent her ears from bothering her. Mine never had any problems, but she always has her paciee in her mouth! I would also pack your carry on really light. A few diapers and a bottle...remember to have it already mixed before you go through security or they will make you throw it out...or they did me anyways! Are you traveling by yourself or is DH going with you? Best of luck...more than likely baby will sleep the whole way because of the soothing plane noise...they like that!
Amber

[twinsmommy]

I'd go with the travel bag. My friend and I have a mountainbuggy urban double stroller, so pretty bulky and the travel bag for that costs about 75$ so she tried without and one wheel was bent. So we paid and had "only a tear in the cover". This time my twins will have to walk and I am taking the snap and go for the baby, but I don't find a cover so I'll just have to take my chances and hope it arrives OK... If I could find a bag for it I'd buy it. I don't know where you live and how long your flight will be, but we went to Belgium when the twins were 3m and we had 1 bassinet and 1 bouncertype of chair (on BA you can choose) and they slept the whole flight. But of course you already paid for her chair... Or... are you visiting family? Why don't you let them buy the snap'n go and you will be sure it is OK when you get there!!!

[Jah02e]

My cousin travels all the time and just recently with her DS. She told me to have the formula and you can buy or get the water once in the airport or on the plane, but going through security they make you throw it out if its already mixed up. But the formula is ok, well the powder part at least.
Thanks for the info. I have decided to go with the travel bag. For $34 its well worth it and my DH agrees.

[twinsmommy]

Hmm, when I called Lufthansa they told me I could bring the formula but that they would provide the water to mix it...

[Trentonsmom]

I just recently took a trip with my son and I have the same exact stroller. It was no hassle at all and nothing happened to the stroller. My son is 2 1/2 and I have the big carseat for him and luckily for me, it set nicely in the seat of the stroller so I could just push it through the terminal. The hardest part was the checkpoint and having to put EVERYTHING on the x-ray machine. As far as traveling with her, make sure you talk to her Pediatrician. Think about how your ears feel getting into the high altitude and if they won't pop... She doesn't know what is going on so you may have a very upset baby. If she uses a pacifier make sure to have it available, the sucking can help to relieve the pressure. Call the Airline about traveling with Formula. When we traveled with my son for the first time at 7 months, my Dr. actually suggested Benadryl if necessary (it is a preference issue). I wish you all the best as each travel experience can be different.

[Jah02e]

Thanks for all the good info. I take her tomorrow to get her 4 month shots and will talk with the doctor. I have ordered the bag so I am not worried one bit now about my stroller! She loves her paci, but also loves her thumb. I will have a bottle ready and her paci when we take off and land to be safe:P