[gwenrenee007]

I was wondering if you guys could give me some advice on the pick up trip. We are debating whether or not to bring a stroller or to just use the Baby bjorn. Our little one is a chunky monkey, she was 17 pounds at 4 months. We are no where near being out of Pgn, but of course I want to know what I am doing for pick up. Lets just say that she is 24 pounds when we pick her up, what do you guys think?? (the Baby bjorn can carry a 26 pound baby)

I know that we can check the stroller at the gate, but I have never done this before. Anyone do it flying US Airways? Do they give you a hard time?

[kacmom1]

I would take both. And it's very easy to gate-check a stroller. I think you'll be happy to have both with you.

[Jaime Christine]

We took both as well. My baby bjorn was a life saver!!!

[Rhody]

We took the bjorn, but our son was a little guy...about 17 lbs at pickup when he was 8 lbs old. He loved it, and I think it really helped with bonding, and gave my arms a break.
That said, we were able to borrow a stroller while we were there, and we definitely used it, especially at mealtimes. Our son also liked being pushed around in it.
Gate checking is no problem...we just did it when we went to Florida. Just tell them at the desk at gate check in and they give you a tag for it. Leave it outside the plane as you board, and they'll bring it up to the gate when you land. (We take a cheap stroller on trips...one of those $20 ones...but we see plenty of people with the bigger ones, including during our visit and pickup trips.)

[tybeemuffin]

STROLLER - STROLLER - STROLLER!!!!!

Both DD and I just hated the carrier. Some people swear by it, but it didn't work for us at all.

[akasohappy]

On our visit trip we took carrier and stroller.
She liked both, but we used the stroller more.
She really liked to ride around in the stroller.
She would swing one leg back and forth while strolling. We thought it was too cute!
I just bought the Playtex Hip Hammock and it is for 15-35 lb. children. I put the 8 month old I babysit in it to try it out and I really liked it.
It was like $40 at Babies R Us. I wish I had bought it before our visit trip.

[cbmstephanie]

I took both and I'm glad I did. The baby Bjorn is great when you just can't use a stroller...like the Guatemala City Airport...and the stroller is great when you have to walk 2 miles to your next gate...like the Houston Airport! Have Fun Planning!

[Hopingsoon]

I'd base this on when you are picking up. We picked up at Christmas, and baggage claims was a nightmare - extreme crowds, long waits, compounded by people trying to pull horizontal strollers out attached to their wheeled luggage, causing even greater "traffic" back-ups.

We didn't take a stroller; I never thought we needed a stroller; I never had occasion to miss a stroller; BUT my son was only 13 lbs when we picked him up, and Bjorn worked fine. Truly, my biggest gripe was the airport and trying to get out.

[drjeanne]

Our baby weighed 24 lbs at pick up....we bought an Ergo carrier to take with us and didn't take a stroller. We never even used the carrier! We just toted her with us.....we had a direct flight and didn't spend that much time in the airport though. I can see why you would want to have a stroller if you're waiting in an airport for any length of time!

Best of luck!
Jeanne

[annaguat]

I would take both. If it works out well I would keep the baby in the bjorn cariier and cary on lagage in the stroller. If you buy a cheap umbrella stroller you can always ditch it or give it away if you do not want it. We took two small umbrella strollers and two slings (2 babies). I am glad i had both. Anna

[DPline]

I would take both. I took a Bjorn knockoff that said it went up to 26 lbs. My 17 lbs daughter wouldn't fit in it because it wouldnt' close around her belly! I was SO glad we had the stroller too!

[cr653]

i would take both.

but maybe take a cheap umbrella stroller that you can use almost like a luggage carrier if your daughter likes to be carried.

my umbrella stoller at one time was carrying my carry on, and the diaper bag was hanging from the handles.
im thinking that was a good 50lbs!
needless to say i ditched the umbrella stoller when i arrived home,

but in the hotel room, by the pool, and for the brief wait at the GC airport it was VERY helpful to have a place for the baby to sit.

happy planning!
isnt it fun!?

[HyKathleen]

My vote is for a stroller. I picked up an inexpensive umbrella stroller in Guatemala and I am so glad I did! My little girl was 24 pounds at pick up. I picked up alone and really don't know what I would have done without the stroller! Handling a small child and a carry on along with making sure your documents are easily assessible and walking through Houston airport it was a godsend!!

Good luck and have a safe trip!

[PackGirl]

We have always taken a stroller with us. I have also found however that while my boys didnt like the front carriers they do like the hip hamock that a previous poster mentioned.

We found it very helpful to have to stroller at the hotel and at the airports but it was nice to have the carrier when we went on side trips after the embassy appointment and such. Many places such as Antigua are not stroller friendly.

Keep in mind also, if you are going to stay at the Marriott, they do rent strollers. We have also purchased them while we were there for the foster moms so they are very easy to attain.

[JustBarbara]

Hi there - if there are two of you going for the pickup there's no reason not to bring both. If just one person going for pickup I'd vote for the BB from personal experience.

Picture this if you will ... 1030pm Atlanta airport - rushing through the terminals after long wait at immigration and getting our paperwork returned ... to catch a 945pm delayed flight. I ran, I mean RAN through the airport with my 5 1/2 month old (17lbs) son in the BB facing towards me - with an overnight bag for carry on AND the little bag on wheels that SHOULD have been checked luggage but there was no time. It was tough keeping those two wheels on the ground - I would never have made it in a stroller.

Now at 11 mos and 21 lbs he still loves the BB and will often fall asleep while we're out walking - plus it helps keep me warm in this cold weather. He does have a stroller - been in it about 15-20 times and he loves it also.

Good luck - and have fun - Barbara