Pre-baby, DH and I have been excellent "carry-on only" travelers. So far, we've always checked bags. We have an upcoming trip w/LO, and I feel like we could get away with just 2 carry-ons. But, not sure if logistically, it'd be worth just paying for 1 checked bag instead of schlepping a bunch of stuff.
Anyone manage to just do carry-on bags when traveling with a baby? Or do you always pay to check your bags?
grapefruit / 4400 posts
We checked 2 bags when we flew w/ LO to Vegas for the weekend, but we flew JetBlue so the bags were free. We had our hands full with the baby, the stroller, the carseat, the diaper bag, our carry-on bag-- it was just too much for us to bring our luggage as carry-on, too!
kiwi / 649 posts
I never check bags anymore- with kids or without kids. I always make it work. When I have to fly with the baby, I put her stuff in her big purse like diaper bag. I would either bring a big purse or backpack. I guess we're just minimalist 
Edit- oh and I would always have her stroller, too.
honeydew / 7091 posts
DH and I are super cheap - we always did carry-ons only. This summer we had 2 different trips and checked a bag for them, it was AMAZING! We had layovers and it was SO nice to not have to tote heavy carry-ons around, along with DD and her slew of equipment. If it was nonstop I might feel differently, but the extra money was totally worth it.
pear / 1998 posts
We just flew last weekend (we flew American) and there was a list of four items - car seat, stroller, and two other things I can't remember, that were free to check. Not sure if that would help, but I thought I'd mention it.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I try to bring as little as possible on board the plane. I hate the jockying for overhead bin space. I make sure my carry ons fit under the seat in front of me.
I am a pretty diligent packer though, we just went away to Disney World for a week and I packed for the three of us in one suitcase.
grapefruit / 4997 posts
I think it would be worth it to have at least 1 check-in. We flew 2 times so far as a family of 3 and we checked in 2 luggages both trips. I tend to overpack anyway but it gives me peace of mind for a good trip. With the stroller, car seat, and big diaper bag, I feel like it's so many things to carry already.
eggplant / 11824 posts
We try to fit all of our stuff into 1 checked bag, and then only take LO's necessity items + our electronics in carry-on bags.
My biggest traveling pet-peeve are the people who stretch/abuse carry-on rules, and/or hog all the overhead bins with their massive carry-ons.
pomelo / 5789 posts
I used to be a carryon only traveler pre LO.
Hated paying, waiting, and possibly having things lost/stolen.
Post LO I always check a bag and carry on as little as possible...
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I think the airlines are getting a little more aggressive with the people carrying on a lot of bags. When we were coming back from Orlando, there was a family that had to check some of the stuff they were trying to bring on board.
cantaloupe / 6751 posts
I used to carry on, but now we always check our bags. One less to lug onto the plane.
bananas / 9973 posts
So we've done 2 trips so far and always paid for the checked luggage. It IS easier. I was just thinking this trip was a direct flight and we'd need less stuff. But I guess ease is more important than saving the $! Just wanted to see if anyone braved carrying on with baby.
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
We never traveled with just one LO, but with two, let me tell you, checking baggage is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY! We even brought a carseat onto the plane on one trip... so that means, even with no carryon luggage, we had the carseat, the stroller (which we gate checked), my diaper bag, WS's backpack, and the two kids. Wayyyyy more than our four hands could handle through the airport, and nothing that we could have gotten rid of. We will absolutely always check luggage from now on!!
bananas / 9973 posts
@mrs. wagon: I can see that! DH is like, "we're NEVER travelling if we have 2 kids!" lol
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
@shopaholic: lol! The weird thing is, we NEVER traveled when we had just one kid. I was too scared. But for some reason, when we had our second, I was like "ok, we can't keep the whole family grounded forever, so let's just start now so we can get used to it." Now I'm not afraid of traveling! I'm actually excited to travel again now that I don't have to worry about the sleeping and eating issues anymore (they can both STTN while traveling, and LMW eats regular food and drinks cow's milk now so no need for special foods to pack) but now we have no $$ to travel!! Haha.
persimmon / 1128 posts
The money saved by carrying on luggage is just not worth the headache to me. We went to Hawaii this summer, and only carried on one suitcase {with absolute necessities in case of lost luggage} and either checked or gate checked everything else.
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