Stroller for Infant

[justhat]

I didn't really say this, so I thought I'd clify, we did not bring the base to our carseat, just the carrier part, that way it would snap into the stroller in the ariport and we wouldn't have to carry the base around. With a baby the last thing you need is additional baggage!

If you're not buying a seat for your daughter then here's what I would do. Take both the carseat and stroller with you to the gate. If you want to, ask the gate agent if there will be empty seats on your flight and if so you can bring your carseat on board and use it for your baby during the flight. If you don't want to bring it on anyway, then still take both the stroller and carseat to the gate and check them at the gate, leaving them outside the plane door before you board. I have heard that this saves a lot of handling/wear and tear/stress on the carseat to gate check it, rather than checking it when you first check in. Plus you'll have up till the minute you get on teh plane and then as soon as you get off, which is a big help.

I would also get a carseat bag if you plan to gate check it(or especially regular checking). On a flight we were on in June, it was raining when we landed, and when the checked carseats came up on the baggage carousel they were soaking wet. I felt so bad for the little babies who had to ride in them like that. We have a bag for our carseat (though now we have a convertible one so we have to cause it doesn't have a handle) and you can wear it like a backpack, which is obviously bulky, but great for freeing up your hands.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

How do you attach the carseat in the vehicle without the base?

 

[justhat]

There are small slats in the sides of the carseat that you route the belt through. It's hard to explain so my best advice is to look at the seat and the sticker on the side which has diagrams, since that is much better than any explanation I could give you. Try it at home first, that way it won't be too complex when you arrive on vacation.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I'm pretty sure I know what you mean. I'll check it out at home for sure.

Thank you SOOOOOOOO much!

 

[all4fun]

Here's a link to Graco's website and step-by-step instructions on how to install the car seat without the base (including pictures) Click here and then click on the word "download".

hth!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Have you called the airline to see if they offer infant fares? I had always thought Infant fares were 1/2 price of a full price fare so I figured that would be more than the special fares I was paying. But then I read here on the dis(of course) that some airlines do give you 1/2 off even the low fares. It's certainly worth a call to find out. I got great fares for my under 2 twice and she slept most of the trip in her carseat.

I also think your baby would be more comfy in your Graco travel system. My youngest was 8 lbs 13 oz at birth and at 6 months(at least 20 pounds and crawling) she still HATED our lightweight umbrella stroller. There will be 2 adults and your baby right? I think you'll be fine. Its when your kids start to outnumber you that you really want a lightweight stroller.

Here's a thought on the Disney busses: I wonder if your chances of getting in an accident might be higher if you were driving a rental car (you won't be as familuar with the rodes...) than on a Disney bus. But I guess its not like you've never been there before. Do you usually rent a car?

justthat-I can't believe how big Madison is getting. I remember when you were pregnant!

 

[justhat]

justthat-I can't believe how big Madison is getting. I remember when you were pregnant!

I can't believe it either! I am on this cleaning rampage this week (DH's family is coming Friday) and in my quest to straighten up I came across all these photos of Madison when she was a newborn. It's amazing how much they grow in such a short time. I feel like I was just pregnant too!

And I agree with you, lovesdumbo, that I, at least, would be more likely to crash in a rental car driving in an unfamiliar place than on a Disney bus. My basis for that is that when I was 7 months pregnant my husband almost caused a very bad accident in our rental car in Naples, FL. Totally blew right through an intersection on a major road while we were looking for a mall, and our light was red! Of course, we're more familiar with the Disney roads, but I'd still rather leave the driving to someone else.

Oh yeah, and we also have gotten many infant fares that are half off of the low price too, so I would definitely check into it. If you want a reason why, when we flew to Cleveland 2 weeks ago our flight was delayed 4 hours, over 2 of which we were stuck in the plane on the tarmac. We bought Madison a seat and she fell asleep right as we pulled back from the gate. This was sooooo nice as she slept for 3 hours (never napped that long in her life!), so we were spared holding a very squirmy, mobile baby in a tiny space for a very long time. She woke up right as we were landing so it worked out very well for us. A few lap babies were on our flight (which originated in Orlando, connecting in Baltimore where we got on) and none of them slept during that time, but cried, whined, screamed, etc. My daughter would have been the same way had she not had her seat as she never would have fallen asleep if she thought there was the chance to run around and play. Of course, your baby is much younger, CRSNDSNY, so that isn't as much of an issue, but I think most babies would be more comfortable having a place for themselves if stuck on a plane that long.

 

[gabbysmom04]

my husband and I took our DD1 to disney when she was 3, and 6 months old our first trip we took our peg perego aria and her infant seat. we did not use her seat in the parks but it was nice to have in the bus for the ride to disney. our next trip we brought our full sized per perego, I thought that it was much better for her. It seems to me more padded and It drives better then a lightweight stroller. on a side note could anyone tell me what airlines they flew that gave a reduced fare for infants?

 

[Queen Be]

Amelia will be 5 months and probably less than 15lbs when we go in September (she was a preemie, so she's still trying to catch up). What do you all do for infants as far as strollers are concerned? Do you bring the big canope one or do you bring something else?

Also, do rental cars have something you can rent in addition to the car that is appropriate for a baby this size and age or do they just cater to toddlers?

Please help!

We traveled a month ago with our just turned 6 month old (who was 7 pounds at birth but was only 13 1/2 pounds at her 6 month well check, so she is on the tiny side). We used an older Combi stroller that we had for our first son (who is now 9), and it worked so well! THis baby is a our 4th, so we own a lot of strollers and we had numerous choices, but I was really glad we took that Combi, and here is why...

1. It is lightwight at only 15 lbs. I now some did not worry about weight, but at one point at the airport I had to remove baby and bag, hold baby and bag, fold the stroller, and lift stroller onto the Xray belt while holding baby and bag. I did not realize I would have to do that with the stroller (I thought it could stroll through the machine you walk through, but nope) and I was able to do that relatively easily (at neither Philadelphia nor Orlando airports did security offer a bit of help). My dh had planned to help, but he had his hands full with our 4, 8, and 9 year olds and I was glad I could navigate baby and I alone.

2. The stroller folded to a standing position. We have a newer graco that our carseat snaps into, and we really debated taking that stroller but I hate how that thing folds. It was nice to remove baby and bag, fold stroller, and wait for transportation with a standing stroller.

3. Stroller reclines flat...our baby did not sit by the trip (though she started soon after our return home) and she was so much more comfy and napped so much better because she could lie flat.

4. Stroller handle adjusted so baby could face out (which she liked to do at times) or face us (which she seemed to prefer most often).

5. The sun shade could be moved 180 degress from side to side (attaching to neither side) and that allowed for adjustment no matter if we were walking into sun or away.

I was so pleased at how well our stroller worked, and it was a hard decision to know exactly what stroller to take. I told dh I was tempted to sell it on Ebay as the perfect travel infant stroller. We still have a beach trip and another smaller trip in the next few months, so I am not trying to advertise

As for the carseat, we did bring our infant carseat and we checked it (Southwest provided a decent and durable plastic bag for the carseat so we had no need to purchase a bag...learned about that on DIS). We purchased a seat for our 4 year old as an infant and she ended up being held the whole trip anyway, so we did not buy a seat for this trip and baby. We also debated on ME or rental. We did do ME to WDW and all was fine...though it felt strange for baby and 4 year old to simply be on the motorcoach, but I adjusted to that somewhat by week's end.

We also had a rental car we used other days (picked up at car center at WDW) and for the return trip to the airport, and since we did not gate check our carseat, we did bring the base. I just never feel like the seat is in well without the base and then I have to worry every time that it is just right , etc. But that is simply my personal preference. Hope I was helpful

 

[lovesdumbo]

my husband and I took our DD1 to disney when she was 3, and 6 months old our first trip we took our peg perego aria and her infant seat. we did not use her seat in the parks but it was nice to have in the bus for the ride to disney. our next trip we brought our full sized per perego, I thought that it was much better for her. It seems to me more padded and It drives better then a lightweight stroller. on a side note could anyone tell me what airlines they flew that gave a reduced fare for infants?

I flew Song. It's 1/2 of the fare but then you add all the other fees so its not quite 1/2 price. I paid $69 for my DD last October RT on Song out of Boston. We were paying $121 full price fare for the rest of us. I also got an infant fare on Song in January 2004 but don't remember what I paid then. You can't book this on line with Song or Delta you need to call and ask.

 

[justhat]

on a side note could anyone tell me what airlines they flew that gave a reduced fare for infants?

We have gotten them on Delta, USAirways, American, and Continental (though not sure they do it anymore cause we didn't get an infant fare with them when we flew to New Orleans last December, but did get it to Disney last June). We've also gotten an infant fare on Southwest, but it was just slightly less than the regular fare, but they're fully refundable, so if the flight is not full you can write a letter to them and request a refund for the baby's ticket.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Have you called the airline to see if they offer infant fares?

No, I haven't called but I'd actually prefer to hold her for this flight. If I feel differently after getting down there perhaps I'll see what we could do for our return flight.

I also think your baby would be more comfy in your Graco travel system.

I think you're absolutely right. DH and I discussed it more this morning and we're pretty sure we'll be taking the travel system. She'll be coziest in it.

But I guess its not like you've never been there before. Do you usually rent a car?

We usually rent a car anyway, so I think we're going to be sure we can hook the carseat in without the base and go that route instead.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Here's a link to Graco's website and step-by-step instructions on how to install the car seat without the base (including pictures) Click here and then click on the word "download".

hth!

Thank you SO much!
We're going to try to find a bag to put the carseat and stroller in to keep it from getting soaked in case of rain during the air transport.

 

[rt2dz]

DD was less than 15lbs and not sitting up when we used the stroller I posted, it worked out fine.

I just wanted to clarify my post. I'm not knocking using umbrella strollers. To each their own. I just don't find much of a difference and can't see spending the money on a new stroller just for a trip. I'd rather put the money (even just $30) to something else. These were just my personal experiences and opinions--take them for what they are worth. I also wouldn't change familarity (both for parent and especially child) for something that really has such a little difference.

And as far as features on a stroller goes...It's not age or weight that matter. It is where your child is developmentally!! My 18 month old just now hit 20 lbs. The OPs baby might be 5 months old, but what is the adjusted age as a preemie? 2 months? 3 months? Where in the spectrum does the baby fall? My kids have been everywhere on the spectrum. DS#1 held his head up without support by one month; hit every major (not fine) motor skill of a 3 year old by 15 months. This child literally crawled right after turning 4 months, was cruising at 6 months, and running (well) by the time he was 8 months. On the other hand, DS#2 didn't hold his head up until about 4 months or sit up until 7 months; all his motor skills fall in the normal range, but always on the latest end.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

The OPs baby might be 5 months old, but what is the adjusted age as a preemie? 2 months? 3 months? Where in the spectrum does the baby fall?

Her adjusted age at the time of trip will be 3 months. I really can't imagine her having complete control of her head at that time yet -- Right now at an adjusted age of going on about 1 1/2 months, she's on target for that age group, rather than her birthdate age of 3 1/2 months.

 

[Dani&Pao'sMom]

Hi, just wanted to let you know what the people at Disney said about the car seat question. Why wouldn't a car seat be required on a motorcoach? does anyone know? At my country, carseats are not required AT ALL, it is a personal choice. However, I would have thought that in the US, carseats were required in anything that moved!

Dear Karla,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World. Resort.

Car seats on motorcoach transportation is not required by law. Car seats will not be permitted on the Disney Magical Express motorcoaches, but they may be stowed underneath the motorcoach in the luggage compartment.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Mary Czachorowski
WDW Online Communications

 

[dcgrumpy]

Sorry I even answered

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Thanks for posting Disney's response!

 

[all4fun]

Hi, just wanted to let you know what the people at Disney said about the car seat question. Why wouldn't a car seat be required on a motorcoach? does anyone know? At my country, carseats are not required AT ALL, it is a personal choice. However, I would have thought that in the US, carseats were required in anything that moved!

Hi,
For some reason busses don't have seatbelts so that is why you can't use a car seat on them. From what I understand, busses use something called "compartmentalization" to protect the passengers. The seats are tall and well padded so in the event of a collision a person wouldn't be thrown far and, if properly seated, would most likely hit a padded surface. Personally I would still rather have a seat belt though. hth.

 

[Jackson4]

If you are worried about the seats from the car rental place, there is a place called Babies Away, they rent everything you need there. I used them once before and plan to use them again for DD 3 & DD 3 months. Their website is www.babiesaway.com. I am acutally waiting for them to call me back. Good luck!!