Hellobee Boards

We just now started really loving our ergo and DS is 9.5 months, 22 lbs. If I was just now buying I'd look into Tula's as well. The commentor above me makes a good point though, ds has been worn since day 1 its just now in the ergo.

(1) why do you need the base? I would just bring the bucket seat and install with a seatbelt.

(2) I really value having a carrier to get DD on and off the plane. (Because what will you do with LO while you are collapsing the stroller or gate-checking the car seat?) I wear her through security and when boarding/disembarking so I can have my hands free.

(3) I would not rent a car seat. For a variety of reasons.

If I were traveling with DD alone, this is what I would do:
Check everything except my stroller/car seat and my diaper bag. Put DD in the carrier for security and boarding (ask someone nice in line to help you fold your stroller). I would bring a bag for my car seat so it doesn't get dirty.

I agree with not bringing the base, and install it using the seatbelt. Much light and easier!

I love wearing DS through the airport because it gives me two free hands to do what I need to do.

I'm not a fan of checking bags so I carry everything with me and gate check it. I pack pretty efficiently in that I can put all of mine and DS's stuff into a Skip Hop bento bag so I don't have much to carry.

@Jls13: Your pump is a medical device and counts separately. Will you really need it? I schlepped mine across the country at Christmas and never took it out of the bag.

If you're flying solo I would say bring a carrier, bag check your seat and small umbrella stroller.

We have a Diono and took it to disney with us, we also had an uppababy stroller. Well DD (1 at the time) fell asleep and I had to carry her off the plane. I was glad I had DH since we gate checked both strollers and car seat.

The less you have to carry on and off the plane the better so. Also when you gate check sometimes the items are not waiting on platform so you have to wait around for them to bring it from the bottom of the plane.

@Jls13: If you have a BSafe, the seatbelt install is *super* easy. The directions are on the side, but basically all you had to do is pull up the fabric on the sides near LO's feet and thread the seatbelt strap through the grooves on the car seat (so the seatbelt will be above and across your LO's legs). Then you "lock" the seatbelt according to the instructions (in the car's manual), but for *most* cars, you lock the belt by pulling it all the way out and then slowly feeding it back in so it makes that clicking noise and can't be adjusted.