Prams on planes!

[Somersaults]

We're taking DD to meet her Aussie family in 6 weeks. She'll be 15wo when we fly and 19 wo when we come back. The airline will allow us to take a completely collapsible pram on the plane for free if we load it at the gate, or else we can package it up and check it but it'll count towards our baggage allowance. We've got the iCandy Cherry and really she should still be in the carrycot pram top when we go (which would be good because she can sleep in it while we're there) but that is not completely collapsible and will also not collapse whilst attached to the base. We could take the stroller seat for it instead of the pram but even that doesn't fold whilst attached to the base. I'm worried that the parts will get separated on the plane. I've also heard from someone who works dispatch at Heathrow who says that prams are treated really badly by baggage handlers, they just throw them around. It was quote an expensive pram, not something we could afford to replace. Any tips, ideas, advice or experiences of travelling with a pram that anyone could share?

Not that it's really any of your business slaw but the trip is being paid for by family who want to see DD as we can barely afford our mortgage. The pram we already have was a gift or we wouldn't have afforded that either, hence my worry about it getting wrecked. I don't think I whinged at any point, more just asked for advice from others who had taken prams on planes.

Hear hear Somersaults, no need for you to have to justify your post. Have a wicked time.

Slaw much?

You need to get your Australian family to look for a car seat too. Australia has much stricter car seat rules than the UK and rest of Europe. Most, if not all, car seats here won't pass their criteria. The likelyhood of getting stopped by the cops to check the car seat is probably low, but I though I should give you a heads up so you are at least aware and can check it out.

When we went last year, DH's family managed to get car seats to borrow (someone else's granny's spare set) and a 2nd hand stroller for cheap. But are you sure that the stroller will count towards your luggage allowance? Usually even lap babies are allowed a stroller for free on intercontinental flights. Which airline is it?

I would buy a buggy before you come if you are going to buy one as things are pricey over here. In fact, you could sell it on eBay before you go for a profit

There is a thriving 'op shop' trade here with prams aplenty, or could your relatives not ask around and borrow one?

I have brought a maclaren over before and it was fine.

Get a decent sling, and a cheap pushchair, or see if you can hire/borrow ne when you get there (although I think things tend to be more expensive in Aus)

If you get a good sling, you'll be able to use that more, anyway. Might be worth posting on slings/carriers for advice on a sling to use in a hot climate! It will be Summer there

BTW, if you're breastfeeding you will find Australia very breastfeeding friendly and not at all fussed about feeding in public. If FF you might find this helpful (List of milk brands and their UK equivalents)

babyworld.co.uk/2011/05/holiday-essential-countries-a-b/

Actually that link looks a bit messed up now. Shame as it used to be a handy guide of which brand equivalents are available in which countries. Perhaps MN should do one?

Thank you everyone :)

I think we're sorted out carseat wise. You can hire a Safe n Sound Baby Capsule from QLD ambulance and they will come and fit it for you so we're going for that option. Family have asked friends and we can borrow a Quicksmart stroller so I don't think we need to worry about the pram on the plane now. She'll still technically be too young for it but beggars can't be choosers and I'm sure she'll be fine.

We had a quick smart for long haul after being stuck with ds aged 1 for 2 hours without a buggy or sling in heathrow between terminals - heathrow don't give your buggy back until reclaim and are not like other airports that give you one when you get off the flight - Dubai are particularly good with this.

QuickStart is brilliant as it folds small and can go in the overhead bins onboard. They don't fully recline which is the only flaw.

We've been all over the place with our Mountain Buggy. We went to Mexico when our daughter was 3 months old, we've flown within the UK numerous times(5+) since she was born and I have just returned from Canada. Every time we have taken our buggy! After spending as much as we did on ours I didn't want to fork out another 100£ for another one that I knew wouldn't be as comfy for her esp when she was going to be in it a lot while we were travelling! I am sure your little one will be in your a lot too! If you aren't comfortable just giving it to them as is when you get the gate! Use a sling instead of the buggy throughout the airport and check your buggy. You can get buggybags online that would easily fit yours and will help to protect it! We used one when we went to Mexico because we didnt' really trust the Mexican baggage handlers and it was in perfect condition! I didn't use it when I went to Canada last week and it was fine, there is the odd scratch on it, but I think that's from everyday use ( putting it in the boot of our car, etc)!
Have a great holiday! Australia is amazing!!!:)

PS...depending what airline you fly with you will get it back when you get off the plane if you take it to the gate. Just check online before you fly. BMI and Air Canada do give it to you when you get off the plane. :)

Our various maclarens went long haul every year. They were great! For DS#2 he rode in a sling most of the time and our carry-ons went in the buggy (car seat and nappy bag mostly). Neither of my kids had a carrycot and survived just fine.

I had expensive pushchairs -- e.g. Silver Cross travel system and used the Maclarens wayyy more. I ended up selling the silver cross for a pretty penny. One of mine I totally wore the wheels down I used it so much, the other has been through four kids (not all mine!). Brilliant things, so much easier to go anywhere with.