How do I handle all the baggage and my child when flying alone?

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Amanda R

I am going to be flying non-stop to Colorado from St. Louis in a couple weeks. I will be flying alone with my one year old. I need to take his carseat(checking) and stroller(would like to keep it so I can use it in the airport so I guess it is like a carryon but it will be held at the front of the plane), and a suitcase (will be checking), and a diaperbag that I will be carrying on. My question is how am I going to handle all of this stuff when I pick it up at baggage claim and until I check it through? Will there be people that can help me get my bags or not?
Will they let me check the stroller so I can have it plane side?

Answer
I'm an ex-F/A who flies now alone with my three between Europe and California about every six months since each was about 4 months old. We also take shorter trips a lot.

1. I don't take a purse. I take a small fanny pack or long strapped small bag with my essentials and a backpack. It's a bit bigger than the standard size (I have one just for flying) and fits the onboard limits. With just one child, consider leaving or packing the diaper bag.

2. Attach the carseat to the stroller. Use bungee cords and perhaps try them back-to-back. Another option is to check/leave the stroller and put the carseat on "wheelie" cart. Make sure it's all metal and there is a gadget sold that fits several carseats. http://www.amazon.com/Gogo-Kidz-Travelmate/dp/B000MWZWV8 It's available on other sites too but that's just to show you what it is. I've done fine with an *all metal* cart and extra bungee cords. My old wheelie from my first airline found a second life by carting carseats!

3. Make sure you have a good carrier for your baby. Forget those fiddly Bjorns and use a wrap, sling or pouch. A Mei Tai or something like an Ergo carrier works well too. Carriers should last to at least 2 years. My 3 year old can still go in her sling. Great for calming babies onboard or getting sleeping children off the aircraft. Check out http://www.peppermint.com or http://www.kangarookorner.com for ideas (I don't work for those sites-they actually represent multiple companies).

4. In baggage claim, load the bags, put the carseat on the top along with any hand luggage and the stroller and push it *all* while the baby goes in the carrier. I've managed alone through customs and two other children this way.

For the record, I've never used a skycap. They're not used for international but use one if available. Tip well so that they'll be nice to the next family ;)

What I do with the backpack is that I wrap diapers, extra clothes, etc. and rubber band them to make room. I bring a cloth bag (the kind you buy in grocery stores as an alternative to plastic and paper) and use that onboard for diaper changes, etc. (so I'm not hauling the whole backpack around). I simply put what I need for each trip to the lav.

I have an article on flying with children that I put on a blog to share with other parents. It's totally non-commercial and sort of my own personal Mitvah. Feel free to check out;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com for more details on carseats, packing, booking and other tips.

Otherwise, have a good trip (and be grateful you don't have to face Customs!)

What should I buy my grandpas and my dad and my uncle?

Lily L

Actually, I need gift for both of them. I feel with women I can always get them pretty scarves or jewelry (you can't have too much!) but it's impossible to find gift for the male members of my family.
Why would my grandpas want ties? They are retired. And my neither my uncle or my dad wear them to work either.

Answer
Christmas gift Ideas for Grandpa :
Men's Robes
GPS
News & Politics Magazines
Gourmet Cheese Assortments
Home Improvement Books
Retirement Planning Books
Indoor Games
Sports Fan Gear
Golfing Supplies
Geneaology Software
Cookbooks
Electric Shavers
Classical Music
Documentaries
Outdoor Cooking
Car Cleaning Kits
PC Video Cameras
Bonsai
http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fgift-central%2Fevent%2Fgrandpa%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Dcm%255Fgift%255Fgg%255Fleftp%255Fcm%255Fgift%255Fgg%255Frel%255Flp%255Fgpa&tag=gobsweb-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

Christmas gift Ideas for Dad :
Classic Vocalists CD Box Sets
Universal Remote Controllers
Action & Adventure Box Sets
Jump Starters, Battery Chargers & Portable Power
Magazines on Golf
Biographies
High-Def TVs
Books on History
Golf Accessories
Speaker Systems
Magazines on How-to & Home Improvement
Handheld Organizers & PDAs
Multi-tools
Magazines on Business & Investment
Flashlights
Magazines on News & Politics
Snowblowers
Digital Cameras
Sports Magazines
Hand Exercisers
Power Inverters
Baby Backpacks & Carriers
Box Set DVDs on Military & War
Power Tool Combo Packs
Outerwear
Gardening Tools
GPS
Portable DVD Players
Electric Shavers
Golf DVDs
http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fgift-central%2Fevent%2Fdad-guides%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Dcm%255Fgift%255Fgg%255Fleftp%255Fcm%255Fgift%255Fgg%255Frel%255Flp%255Fdad&tag=gobsweb-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

Hope this help.

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