Baby sling with airport security

[Princess Roo]

What have your experiences been with "wearing" a baby through airport security? Do they make you take the baby out of the sling? I have a pouch style sling (so no metal). I'm trying to decide between using a stroller or sling for DD. If I have to take her out it will wake her and she won't be happy!

 

[Manda]

Yes, they make you remove the sling and put it through on the conveyer and carry the baby through in your arms.

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

I've been told by alot of fellow babywearers I'll be required to untie our carried ones- which should be interesting... 4 kids and hand luggage and having to untie 2 of them to get through security.... hmmm. Mind you, needs must and all that

ETA- I've been told if they're in strollers sleeping they still have to be removed so the stroller can be scanned

 

[nonzerosum]

I've been asked to both remove sleeping babe from sling and sleeping babe from stroller. GGGRRRRRRRRRR. I make no appologies for being extremely slow or holding up the line. If this is what is required, security needs to be prepared for the consequences---crabby moms and babies. Obviously I'm aware of security risks etc... but I don't need to be reminded of this as I'm stressed out in the airport and dealing with the trials of travelling with kids. Again, GGGRRRRRRRRRR. Hope you have a better experience than I always seem to have. On our upcoming trip to WDW, I'm travelling back home with DD1 and DS4 without DH and it's an international flight. Wish me luck!

 

[Princess Roo]

Thanks for the info! That's pretty much what I was expecting, since you have to take jackets off and kids out of strollers, but I wondered if that was just because they'd set off the alarm.

DD is much less likely to fall asleep in her stroller, so I think I'll start off with her in the stroller and DS holding my hand and then after security let DS have the stroller and wear DD. My first time flying alone with two! Luckily in ATL there is a special assistance line for people with strollers or disabilities, so I don't feel at all bad about taking a long time getting through. Traveling businessmen who get in that line because it's shorter DESERVE to be held up, IMO. It will be more trouble coming back, but that will at least be my 2nd attempt by then.

 

[Gillian]

Strollers also have to be folded and put through the scanner, at least in my limited experience. That's a big pain!

 

[Ariel8676]

The last 2 tmes we flew security did not make me take DD out of the carrier..maybe it is different in different airports????? I did have to take her shoes off though..lol

 

[VeroBeachGirl]

I need some help from experienced Moms here! If I am traveling alone with my infant daughter in a stroller, how do I fold up the stroller and lift it onto the scanning belt all while holding her?

 

[DevilDuckie]

I need some help from experienced Moms here! If I am traveling alone with my infant daughter in a stroller, how do I fold up the stroller and lift it onto the scanning belt all while holding her?

You smile sweetly at the security officer and explain that you cannot fold the stroller while holding the baby. Just ask nicely for help- they want you to get through and out of the way just as much as you do.

 

[Princess Roo]

You smile sweetly at the security officer and explain that you cannot fold the stroller while holding the baby. Just ask nicely for help- they want you to get through and out of the way just as much as you do.

Yup...I've flown MANY times with DS, and at least 6 of them alone, and only had one unhelpful security guard regarding children. Many times other passengers have offered to help, too, whether I needed it or not, and I always try to help parents traveling alone, too. Last time DS2 asked another mom if she wanted help lifting the stroller

 

[brymolmom]

But don't be surprised when the security person does not come forward quickly to help with the stroller. One time I did this it was by accident - since DH was with me but had already gone through with ds - and then they do not let them come back over to the other side. So I stood there with dd and did attempt to fold down the stroller 1 handed - but obviously couldn't. And the security guy just looked at me and I just looked at him. So I would recommend saying something as you take the baby out like 'well, I'm going to need some help folding this stroller and lifting it to the belt - is there someone around who we could ask for help? ' The guy I had was NOT pleased.

 

[justhat]

I need some help from experienced Moms here! If I am traveling alone with my infant daughter in a stroller, how do I fold up the stroller and lift it onto the scanning belt all while holding her?

When I flew alone with my kids when they were babies, I wore them in a sling or Bjorn carrier in the airport and pushed the diaper bag in the stroller. At the security checkpoint I had both hands free to fold the stroller and lift it into the xray machine. Then I took the baby out of the carrier, sent that through xray, and went through the metal detector with the baby. On the other side I got the carrier on first and stuck the baby in it, then opened up the stroller, if a security worker hadn't already done it for me.

 

[VeroBeachGirl]

When I flew alone with my kids when they were babies, I wore them in a sling or Bjorn carrier in the airport and pushed the diaper bag in the stroller. At the security checkpoint I had both hands free to fold the stroller and lift it into the xray machine. Then I took the baby out of the carrier, sent that through xray, and went through the metal detector with the baby. On the other side I got the carrier on first and stuck the baby in it, then opened up the stroller, if a security worker hadn't already done it for me.

That's a good idea! I just bought a baby Bjorn to use while standng in line at the parks.

 

[taitai]

They absolutely will have you take the baby out of any carrier, car seat, stroller or whatever so know that now and be prepared. There is no need to hold up the line or make other passengers wait. Just stand to the side and fold whatever needs to be folded and then put it through. Take the baby out, put the sling through and then walk through with the baby. Gather everything on the other end and reassemble. Know that it is going to take a lot of time so plan accordingly. If you have little walkers, make sure they have on shoes that they can get on and off themselves easily. If you think your baby will be napping, try to fly a different time or go early to get through security before he or she falls asleep so that portion of his or her day does not get disrupted.

Traveling with kids is harder than going solo, obviously, and a daunting task for those who don't travel much, but it isn't impossible.

Good luck!

 

[Eeyore2142]

Last time I flew, they did not make me remove DS from my ergo. I walked through wearing him. I did have to take off his shoes

 

[Spart02]

Our entire party that we travelled with in December was tagged for increased security checks because our airline switched us to another airline on the day of travel. I guess last minute bookings are tagged. Anyway, our entire party had to be patted down and searched extra well. What I found obnoxious was that our 4 month old baby was patted down. I mean, come on! We took her through the security detector, but a pat down?! Everyone in our party and everyone else watching was quite humored by seeing a security agent patting down a baby. I had to hold her out away from my body and they really patted her down just as they would an adult. It's sad to me that this was necessary.

 

[Carrie772]

Our entire party that we travelled with in December was tagged for increased security checks because our airline switched us to another airline on the day of travel. I guess last minute bookings are tagged. Anyway, our entire party had to be patted down and searched extra well. What I found obnoxious was that our 4 month old baby was patted down. I mean, come on! We took her through the security detector, but a pat down?! Everyone in our party and everyone else watching was quite humored by seeing a security agent patting down a baby. I had to hold her out away from my body and they really patted her down just as they would an adult. It's sad to me that this was necessary.

What did they do about the diaper? Take a peep?

 

[Spart02]

They patted her diaper area down...but didn't peak inside. That's where I would have drawn the line! I have heard they are not supposed to pat kids down, but I haven't researched to see if that is true or not. We have three kids, ages 4, 7 and an infant. The four year old was VERY uncomfortable with the situation and took a lot of coaxing to get it done. I felt very bad for him to have to go through that. I guess we should have prepared our kids for that scenario beforehand. We had talked to them about going through the security checkpoint and putting everything on the belt to get scanned, but it really had never entered my mind that they would need to be patted down. We got through it, but it really was an uncomfortable situation.

 

[abirdd]

While everyone needs to get used to the taking baby/kids out of strollers, slings, removing shoes, etc... I've been told by several TSA agents (or equivs) they are supposed to HELP single parents with this task. So, don't be afriad to speak up to the agents in the area.

In my experience, the "grandparent" types are always fast to assist, and even some of the younger "moms" love helping with the little ones. They want everyone to clear the area as quickly and safely as possible, so really... don't hesitate to ask.

On a trip in December, they coaxed DS to walk through the detectors (he was terrified of going without Mom) by showing him the "wand", then asked him if he wanted to scan Mommy. Duh, what little kid would not find that enjoyable! The woman who did this then offered to help him with this shoes, while Mommy did hers. Nice

 

[justhat]

Last time I flew, they did not make me remove DS from my ergo. I walked through wearing him. I did have to take off his shoes

I have been able to walk through the metal detectors with my son in his sling or Bjorn 2 or 3 times too. I think they just took pity on me since I was alone with an infant, 2yo, 2 carseats, a stroller, and a diaper bag.