[my2boops]

I am wondering what is best to use for a visit and pick up: baby carrier or stroller. Did you feel like people were watching you at the airport bringing an empty stroller down with you? I don't really want to make myself a target. Then again, I don't want to tote a heavy baby on my hip all the time, either! We're hoping to travel to Antigua. I don't know if we'll have the baby at that time or not. I heard that the streets are hard to maneuver with a stroller. Is this the case?

Thanks for the input!

[ej-momtobe]

Bring a stroller. We brought one down (never noticed that anyone was looking at us funny with an empty stroller.) We checked it in as luggage...the check-in agent asked us if we were travelling with an infant. We left it with the foster mom, and she brings it back to us on subsequent visit trips.

On my last trip I brought a carrier too, just because I wanted to start getting used to it, but only used it once.

Get advice from someone else about Antigua...we didn't have our baby with us when we went there.

[CoasterKon]

We took our son to Antigua while we were there, and we did not take a baby stroller. The sidewalks seem to be fine for a stroller, but the streets are stroller-unfriendly cobblestone. We took an Ergo carrier with us, but we did not use it since we didn't do that much walking. We were on a visit trip, and we took down a stroller to use while we were there. We did not get any strange looks in the airport, and everything went fine there. Since we are anticipating a pick-up trip soon, we have the stroller in storage at the Marriott. I certainly hope that we need it soon.

[romee_1101]

Hi,

Well, this is what I found. I took a stroller down on my visit trip and rarely used it. Mateo preferred to be carried. I ended up borrowing someone's hip sling for the day and it was a godsend.

So, when I went down for pickup I took an Ergo pack and used it all the time. I did, however, also bring a stroller for the airport (Actually, I had my brother bring one down as he came a few days later). I never used the stroller in GC. The Ergo carrier was perfect for the hotel and for a visit to Antigua (you are right, a stroller would be a pain on the cobblestone streets). However, I found that the stroller was more helpful for me when I was moving through the airport - customs, etc. then strapping on the carrier.

Just my experience. I know I saw lots of people with strollers and babies who seemed content in them (but not mine). Most Guatemalans carry their babies in slings so you don't see any strollers on the streets - at least I never did.

Lesley

[romee_1101]

BTW - I did leave my first stroller with the FM. I never got it back, so just be prepared - if you do that let them know you want it back.

Lesley

[cr653]

take both!
and whenever anyone asked/looked at my empty stroller i was Thrilled to say i was going to pick up my baby girl in GC, and of course id show her picture!

have great trips.
cris.

ps if for no other reason, take an umbrella stoller on the pu trip to push your carryon diaperbag etc, while you wear your new little one!

[Snook182]

Do any of you know if you are able to bring an umbrella stroller to the embassy appointment??

[KKR213]

I would bring a stroller for your visit trip. It comes in pretty handy. Get a cheap one at Target. I left it with the foster mother and she kept it. For the pick up trip you might want a sturdier stroller that will recline so the baby can sleep and with space to store stuff while you are maneuvering through airports.

Not sure on Antiqua though.

[Larue]

We brought a Baby Bjorn carrier on our visit trip, and Sabrina loved it. I thought about renting a stroller -the Marriott rents umbrella strollers for $5 per day, and larger strollers for $10 per day. However Sabrina also wanted to be held all the time.

I may rent one for at least one day during our next visit trip, and just see how she does. Having a stroller would sure have come in handy during meals. I haven't quite mastered the fine art of eating while holding a baby in my lap

[KKR213]

Snook182 - I am pretty sure you cannot bring a stroller to the embassy. You are pretty limited in what you can bring in with you. I think just a diaper or two and a bottle. Leave the bulky diaper bag at the hotel since they will have to go through it!

[Mindybeth6]

Mikayla was 2 1/2 months when we just went down and really wasn't crazy about either. SHe wanted to be held. We used the carrier one morning at breakfast and she did sleep in it the whole time. We did end up getting a stroller (after being on the waiting list at the MArriott for two days) and that was OK but ONLY for eating purposes and I had to rock the stroller back and forth most of the time with my foot. Of course an older baby may do much better then Mikayla. She was so tiny that holding her everywhere we went wasn't bad anyway and I wanted her as close to me as possible. I loved carrying her around and me and DH would fight over it. We will not take a stroller for our next visit trip BUT we WILL for our PU trip for airport purposes. THe walk from through Houston was looong and it would just be easier to have a stroller in my opinion. Every baby is different. GOod luck with your decision.
Hugs

[Travelkid]

We spent a week in Antigua with our little one and used the baby bjorn carrier. Our little one loved it and it would have been very difficult to navigate the stroller. Our agency recc'd this too b/c it keeps the baby close to you the entire time. My hubby kept it one while we ate, but being much shorter I had a harder time with that. I did learn that a baby is a good diet tool in a restauratn - very hard to eat with him on my lap!

[cr653]

Originally Posted by Snook182

Do any of you know if you are able to bring an umbrella stroller to the embassy appointment??

yep!
and despite rumors you can even bring a diaper bag and purse/briefcase(for your paperwork)


cris.

[WVUMom418]

On our 2 visit trips we stayed in Antigua, we used a Baby Bjorn for out walking on the streets. Our daughter was 7 months old at our first visit and loved it. We did take a umbrella stroller on our 2nd visit because our 2 1/2 year old went with us and we found we used it for Mia in the restaurant and going to the pool.

When we went back for the pickup we brought the stoller again. We checked the stoller at the gate and it ended up being a great asset for carrying our carry ons through the airport. We used the stoller at the Marriott because by this time Mia was 14 months old.

My suggestion would be bring both, our Baby Bjorn fit in the luggage with no problem.

[readytobeamommy]

For Bonding purposes a baby carrier. If you can carry your baby without hurting your back (depending on age/weight) that is they way to go. You will have the baby by your heart and you will be bonding every second of your way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As for the stroller if your baby is too young/small it will be uncomfortable and you will not have your baby close to you. Peyton was 5 months and 3 weeks when we brought him home and by the time we landed he was 100% bonded with me and I think alot of that had to do with the snugli.