Not only do you have to figure out the best way to manage your baby and bags at the airport, but you’ll also need to figure out how to carry the car seat! Traveling with babies should be an extreme sport, right!?
Infant Car Seats
1. If your little one still fits in their infant car seat and it attaches to their stroller, fantastic! That’s why travel systems are so nice to have while traveling. There are many full-size strollers that accept infant car seats (like the Baby Jogger City Select pictured on the bottom right) and there are even some travel strollers that will allow you to connect your infant car seat to them! Read this article if you want to learn about my favorite single-travel strollers.
2. Use a car seat with built-in wheels! The Doona and the new Evenflo Shyft Dual-Ride are the two examples of the market today that are US-certified.
3. Use this car seat strap and attach your car seat to your carry-on bag. I find it easiest to strap the car seat upside down so it doesn’t stick out as much on the suitcase. However, if you plan to have your baby sit in the car seat while it is strapped to your suitcase, make sure that it is secured tightly and they are harnessed (This won’t work with an infant car seat). Another thing to keep in mind is that you’re going to need a sturdy carry-on suitcase to handle the extra weight of the car seat and baby! If you don’t plan on putting the baby in the car seat at the same time, any suitcase will do!
4. Use a car seat cart! These car seat carts are sturdy and can handle one (or two) car seats strapped to them to lug throughout the airport. What’s also nice is that this one folds up small enough to be able to fit under the seat in front of you or the overhead bin.
5. Use a car seat bag. This is my preferred strategy if you are not planning on bringing your car seat on the plane, but will be checking it instead. I prefer to use a padded car seat bag instead of just a thin, plastic one because it will theoretically do a better job of keeping it safe. (Remember, the safest place for a car seat is on the plane with you). There are a couple of options when it comes to car seat bags. The two main types are wheeled and backpack style. I’ve linked the bags that I use below!
Spinner Wheelie Deluxe Car Seat Bag
6. Strap the car seat to your stroller! This is a great method if you are baby-wearing or plan on your little one walking the entire time during the airport (I personally wouldn’t plan on that). Use a car seat strap to secure it in place.
7. Haul it in a wagon! This strategy works great IF your airline allows you to check/gate-check a wagon (call ahead). This is also a great option if you are transporting more than one car seat as there is plenty of room for 2 maybe even three car seats inside! Check out my favorite travel wagons here.
Want to feel prepared to travel with your car seat? Register for this mini-module that can be done online in as little as one hour!
In this module, you’re going to learn everything there is to know about car seats and flying! Here’s just a taste of what you’ll experience in the module:
- How to install your car seats on an airplane
- How to carry them through the airport
- How to actually bring your car seat on board
- How to gate check a car seat
- Which car seats are allowed on flights
- & MUCH MORE!
