Tips for traveling with an infant! - Update added another question to OP

My husband Just surprised me with a trip to Aruba , problem is that we're leaving in 2 days!!
I have an 8 month old and a 3 year old. I've travelled with my older one before but not when he was this young.

Questions:
Should I bring my snap and go or just my umbrella stroller? If I bring the snap and go, do I bring the car seat with me on the plane or do I have to check it??

If I just bring the umbrella stroller I should bring my ergo for the airport right??

I'm bringing my formula from home and will pack a few diapers and just buy the rest when I'm there. Are there any other tips you can give me?? Maybe I'm forgetting something?

We're taking a cab to/from the airport and also to the hotel when we land. I'm thinking I should bring the car seat for the baby for the cab rides?? Or is that another thing to carry when it's not needed?

Message edited 2/18/2016 10:39:50 AM.

Tips for traveling with an infant!

I would just bring the umbrella. Less to lug around. I kept DS in the stroller in the airport. So I never needed the ergo. But then again I never used it much at all.

Pack some snacks and a few pouches. Small toys and I always brought books.

Tips for traveling with an infant!

When I traveled with dd as an infant I brought her infant car seat and stroller as well as the Ergo. I gate checked the stroller and car seat (I needed the car seat for my trip). Once I gate checked the stroller I wore dd. Wearing dd made getting on and off the plane very easy. I packed snacks and a few small toys for dd when we travel. The only way to can bring the car seat on the plane is if you buy a seat for your 8 month old and install the car seat on the plane.

Message edited 2/18/2016 10:21:46 AM.

Tips for traveling with an infant!

Should I bring my snap and go or just my umbrella stroller? If I bring the snap and go, do I bring the car seat with me on the plane or do I have to check it??
-don't bring the car seat and snap and go. You can't bring the car seat in the plane unless he purchased a seat for your 8 month old which I doubt he did. Just bring the umbrella and gate check it.

If I just bring the umbrella stroller I should bring my ergo for the airport right??
-I'd also bring the ergo. I wore my baby, she was 4 1/2 months for her first flight, the entire flight and she slept. You will need to hold them during take off and landing. Not in carrier.

I'm bringing my formula from home and will pack a few diapers and just buy the rest when I'm there. Are there any other tips you can give me?? Maybe I'm forgetting something?
-you can bring as much formula as you need and even carry some of it on board. You will have to declare it before you go through security and they'll just do an extra check of it.

-give a bottle during take off an landing to help with his ears during change in cabin pressure.

Awesome surprise!

Tips for traveling with an infant!

I'm usually in the minority but I always bring car seats for my kids no matter where we're going. I admit they're a pain in the ass to lug around airports and such but I don't put my kids in a car without them. I just gate check them on the airplane.

I would bring a stroller and ergo just in case your 3 yr old wants/needs to sit or you want to keep him confined in the airport, walking around, etc. He can sit and baby in Ergo.

Make sure you can get the formula you use in Aruba. I usually bring a Ziploc bag of Cheerios and a few pouches because they're easy to travel with.

The sun will also be very hot for your kids skin so be sure you have hats and rash guards and sunscreen with a pretty high SPF. If you have a puddle jumper for your three-year-old I would bring that as well.

Have fun!!!!!!

Tips for traveling with an infant!

Unless you have plans to obtain a car seat in Aruba I would absolutely bring yours. If you plan to travel by car at all isn't it essential? You can't bring it on plane unless you bought her a seat.

You can check the car seat free of charge at security or at the gate. Same with the stroller.

Snap is go is easiest. Check that along with your car seat at the gate. They take it right before you board and it's waiting for you when you deboard.

Bring enough formula / diapers for a day. You never know what can happen. I brought a case of rtf for flight. Baby is allowed a diaper bag to carry on.

Also bring some toys. Teethers.

Re: Tips for traveling with an infant! - Update added another question to OP

we go every year. We are going in a couple of weeks with my 3 year old and my 7 month old!

I do not bring car seats. There is a cab driver we use who has them, we make arrangements with him in advance to and from the airport. PM me if you want his info! We call him for dinner rides also. If we must, I hold them on my lap if we need to for a short ride. I am sure I will get flamed for that but I appreciate it if people keep that to themselves, thanks! Driving in aruba is much different than the states.

I would bring the umbrella stroller. Whatever is most comfy for baby to nap in on the beach. We actually are bringing our bigger stroller cause it is better on the sand!

I am sure Erica will respond soon, she has gone for years with her kids too!

Tips for traveling with an infant! - Update added another question to OP

I would bring the car seat or plan to rent one down there- I personally would not get in a car without one but you have to do what you are most comfortable with doing. Many people say to never gate check a car seat and I have done it bc I did not have any other option. When I called Britax and asked they told me they ship the car seats all over
The country and it was perfectly safe but the car seat person who installed dd seat in my car said he highly discouraged it- you have to do what you are Comfortable with doing.

Re: Tips for traveling with an infant! - Update added another question to OP

I would just bring the umbrella.. much easier.. but how are you getting to and from the airport.. that would make up my mind on bringing car seats or not