Travel Using the Go-Go Babyz GoGo Kidz Travelmate

I don't have any experience with the Travelmate, but definitely bring something for her to drink during take-off and landing to help equalize the pressure in her ears. We flew with our (then) 9 month old to Europe in May, and it really helped. Make sure you save some for landing! The pressure starts changing an hour or so before landing, so you may want to start doling it out then. Good luck!
Kim

We used it on a very long, international flight. It was a huge help throughout the airport. You will have to take your daughter out of the seat and carry her through the machine with you and they will most likely make you take your daughter's shoes off as well (they made us do it). They will inspect the seat as well. I assume that because she's only 11 months old that you will not be having a separate seat for her, right? You will have to check the seat attached to the Go-Go-Kidz at the gate as there is no room for it on-board. You will have to let them know that you'll be checking it in at the gate when you first check in at the counter though because you'll need a special tag for it. Other than that, it works GREAT! We really loved it and my son loved being wheeled in it. Of course make sure to give her some time out of it so that she doesn't feel too confined, but at least at her age she's not walking and running all over the place yet so it will be easier.

C.,

You are going to love the GoGo! My husband and I have flown with our son about 10 times using this (after flying once with out it) and it was really great. People dragging both their carseat and stroller through the airport always stop us and ask us where we got it. It comes apart easily and does fit in the overhead bin. I recommend putting the bolts in your purse/bag.

The hardest part about flying with a small child when you use their car seat on the plane is the time it takes to get the seat installed in the air plane seat. When you get to the gate, ask the agent if they will allow you to board early (frequently Northwest does not have early boarding for people with small children). Then, when you get on the plane, ask for a seat belt extender. You might need it in order to buckle the carseat into the seat and it is easier if you get it right away.

Another thing that has helped us (specifically my son) is a pair or EarPlanes ear plugs for my son. They help equalize the pressure in the ear (and they also cut down on engine noise which always seems to bother my son). They have both an adult and child size, so make sure you get the small one.

Other than those tips - just pack lots of little snacks and things to keep her occupied. I usually go to Target or WalMart and get a couple of new, inexpensive things for my son to play with. Stickers work great.

Enjoy your trip!
C.

I used our GoGo Kidz with a Marathon carseat a few times. We bought a seat for my child, so we wanted the carseat on the plane. The hardest thing was taking the Gogo Kidz off the carseat before being seated on the plane and reassembling it when we got off. We decided it just wasn't worth it. I think it would be great if you plan to check the carseat at the gate along with the other strollers. That way you don't have to disassemble. We are traveling to my sister's in Hawaii next month with a four yr old and 15 month-old. The flight will be hell. *I think* my plan is to check the car seats all the way through, and use the stroller to get through the airport - especially since it can hold all our carry-ons. I also keep an Ergo baby carrier handy at all times. If I decide to skip the stroller (my sister has one on the other end), I'll use the GoGoKidz and check it at the gate.

Girl, my 8 month old and I have been on 7 flights together...her first flight was at 5 wks old...I have no idea what the go-go gadget is, but I assure you you should be fine. Tips I can give you for a fun adventure.
1. DON'T stress. Forget about what other people might be thinking if your baby has moments of crying. Thats what babies do. If it happens, it happens.
2. Try to pick a seat either at the very front of the plane or the very back of the plane, don't get yourself in the middle. I find the best place to be at the last row in the aisle seat so we can get up quickly and stand in the stewardess station if need be.
3. Time it just right...Don't allow excessive time in the airport that you are bored, but give yourself enough time to get thru security/check in with all your extra stuff.
4. Play. If you have extra time at the terminal, find a space to plop down on the floor, get out some toys and play as though you were in your living room.
5. Diapers: change them before you get on the plane and as soon as you get off. I am fortunate that I have never had to change a diaper on the plane. I can't imagine how that would work.
6. Don't overpack. Only bring the essentials onboard with you. Realistically figure out how many diapers you will need. Don't bring the entire wipe package, bring one extra onesie.
7. Bring a handful of toys, not your toybox. Sometimes the most entertaining thing on travel will be the new sights and sounds. Make friends with friendly people, that was a blast for my girl.
8. If you are worried about pressure on the ears, make sure to nurse/have a bottle/have a pacifer handy for take off and landing. The sucking will help alleviate the pressure.
I traveled with the baby bjorn and did not ever bring a carseat or stroller. You can always rent or borrow a carseat where you are headed. The less you have to carry along, the easier it will be. Having baby in the bjorn or other carrier made for getting thru check in and security a breeze.
I hope this helps. The number thing is for you to remain calm. Your baby will feed off your emotion, so if you are calm and treat it like no big deal - she will follow suit.
Have fun! and make sure to get her wings!

Hi C.-
My son's first flight was when he was 3 months old. He is almost 4 now. We fly at least once a year to visit my husband's family. I don't know anything about the Travelmate. We simply strapped my son's car seat to a small luggage carrier. We use this instead of a stoller. When he gets tired of walking or if we are in a hurry into the car seat he goes and we can quickly wheel him through the airport. The carrier folds and fits in an overhead bin.
I would suggest that you take enough supplies to last for two days. My son was 3 months old when we had to spend the night in the airport. The weather was horrible and all the hotels were full. Thankfully I was breastfeeding, so food was not an issue, but we used our last diaper and they don't sell them in the airport. Our most recent trip was just last week and once again due to mechanical problems, we had an overnight stay that we had not anticipated.
In addition to packing a change of clothes for your daughter, make sure you and your husband also have a change of clothes in your carry on.
Happy traveling :-)

When I took my son to Brazil (11 hours flight), I used the airline "basket". I believe all have that. The only problem is that you have to sit on the first row and the arms don't lift, but for my baby it was very convenient. They attach a basket to the wall in front of you and it even has a net on top. If I am not wrong it is for up to 25lbs. Don't forget to take something for you baby to drink when taking off and landing to avoid the ear aches. Good luck.

I have the go-go babyz. But I have used it once with a graco or costco carseat and with that one you have to put it on the alternate way which is near impossible. And I used it with our Marathon too and it worked well. I do agree the Marathon is large for the plane but that was with my 3 year old. But she is extremely active. If you didn't but your child a seat don't worry about it and check your carseat at the gate and store the go-go overheard. But the carseat may be big and annoying to get on the plane but if you have an active one it will be worth the annoyance of getting it on there. Just make sure you have figured out how to use the go-go with the carseat prior to the day you leave.
Also, I travel very frequently with my kids and on long flights, but the last 2 on went on, the larger bathroom had a changing station over the potty.
Bring a movie if you can, books, small toys, lots of little snacks, and most of all don't bring too much.
Best of luck!

My best friend uses that, and I am hoping to buy one myself soon. She LOVES it, and uses it all the time when they travel! It can't be brought on board, though. It has to be checked at the gate. She hasn't had any trouble with that, however.

It's so stressful, travelling with a baby for the first time! Just take a deep breath, and try to stay as cheerful as possible. :) My son (6 months) handled our first flight way better than I did! Now I know it's not so bad, and honestly- if he has a tantrum, everyone will survive just fine. Just don't let any of the other passengers make you feel guilty. You're a mommy, and you're allowed to travel too! (But definitely take lots of diapers and food. You'll need more than you think!)

Good luck, and enjoy your trip!

We just got back from a flight to Kansas City and back again with a 2 1/2 year old and a 13 month old. We brought both car seats and dragged one on the plane for the two year old and checked the other one. We just carried the little one around and let her walk during our layovers. We traveled very early and the little one slept most of the way and with her pacifier did not have any problems with her ears. My two year old watched her dvd's with headphones and played with silly putty and colored. She had a problem with her ears when landing and cried quite a bit but fell asleep both times by the time we landed. The flight attendant said there wasn't much we could do because she wouldn't chew gum, open her mouth or yawn for us, she just cried. On the flight home, we checked both car seats, it was too much trouble to carry the one car seat during our layover, but I think that might depend on how active your little one is. We also flew Northwest and they did not charge us to check both car seats. Our two year old is active but will sit for a long time with something to play with. Good Luck.

We used the Go-Go Babyz Travelmate that you mentioned, and it did provide a nice rolling seat for our toddler to use as we moved through the airports. However, our convertible carseat, the Britax Marathon, proved to be too big to fit comfortably in the airplane seat. Our daughter's feet would have been kicking the person in front of her for the whole flight, and we just could not do that to someone. We ended up just having the flight attendant check the travelmate and car seat for us, and it was waiting at the gate when we arrived at our destination. Because she was under two at the time, she rode in her own seat on the way out and on one of our laps on the way home. She was fine. It was nice to have our own car seat with us at our destination, but I am not sure I would do it again. So, yes, the Travelmate works, but you need to figure out how badly you need your own car seat at your destination.

In addition, I have had to change a diaper on the plane, and it is quite difficult. Both flights we were on were on older planes that did not have changing stations. In fact, I was told by flight crews that only a very small number of new planes were being equipped with these. So, I had to just lay her across the closed toilet lid (on her changing pad, of course) in the tiny bathroom. As fate would have it, I had to change a #2 diaper both coming and going, and the situation was comical only in retrospect. It can be done, though, even with a very tall 20-month-old. Just make sure you bring an extra outift for baby, and maybe even an extra shirt for yourself.

Have a happy trip.

HI! I have never used the travelmate you are talking about but I have traveled a lot with my son. We moved form the east coast out west and then back so we have a lot of experience traveling by plane. I would recommend getting a portable DVD player and brining her favorite shows or movies. My son always loved Finding Nemo. Also, if you are still nursing that is a huge help. My husband used to walk my son to the back of the plane to talk to the flight attendants. That helped when he was restless. Take some tylenol for her & hopefully the noise of the plane will put her to sleep.
Don't worry about diapers. You will have enough and if you run out there will be another mom who has some.

Good luck!

My husband and I have traveled A LOT with our daughter and have used the Travelmate the last 3 times we have flown. It made it a lot easier since we did not have to lug around a stroller. Because we purchased a seat for her, we were able to store the Travelmate in the overhead bin in the cabin. It's flat so it stored easily. If you're not purchasing a seat for your daughter, the ground crew will load her seat with the Travelmate attached as you are boarding the plane at the gate, just like if you were travelling with a stroller and unload it at your destination so it will be waiting for you when you deplane. I think it's a worthwhile investment.