Traveling with 7 Month Old Tomorrow, Got a Few ???

Yes, take the stroller and carseat to the gate.
Yes, you can use the carseat without the base easily. Just practice at home once so you know how to do it. Don't expect the shuttle driver to know.
Baby food - they will either make you open the jars when you go through security, or they will do extra screening if you don't want to open it. So, better to put it in the packed luggage. I would wrap it in something (like packing paper or bubble wrap), then put a few of them together into large ziplocks so you don't have a mess if one breaks. But - will he eat cereal? I found that taking a box of baby oatmeal cereal (in a ziplock) and a can of formula (also in a ziplock) to be easier and lighter than jars. Then you could mostly do cereal, and just take a few jars.
Have fun!

Hi J.,

Yes, if you are flying out of Houston then you will be able to take the stroller (with car seat in it) all the way to the gate. The only exceptions are when you fly the puddle-jumpers. Make sure you get the "gate checked" claim tickets for both the stroller and car seat. You will have to leave both items either at the top of the gang plank or at the bottom, right next to the door to the plane - again it depends upon the configuration and NOT the airplane.

You don't need the base for the carseat in the shuttle and honestly, they won't know how to help you with it or even question it. Although legally, you don't need the car seat for the shuttle service if it is a bus-type only. Buses are not required to have seatbelts and most don't. If you are being picked up by a car that is a different story. Since it seems you won't be using the carseat while there, consider whether you even want to bring it. You can just put your son on your lap in the shuttle. Your son is old enough to be in just a stroller. Also, the airlines have NO financial responsibility for strollers or carseats so think it through. We had our Graco Travelsystem damaged by American Airlines many years ago and they gave us about $25.00 for it. I always travel with a cheap umbrella stroller now!

Baby food - if you won't be able to get it then make sure you have plenty in your carry on for your trip (keeping in mind that you could be on a tarmac for many hours!) and then pack it. I would suggest taking the plastic containers (Gerber) as opposed to the jars whenever possible. I took baby food with me to London for 9 days and had no breakage - but I took a combination of plastic containers and only a few jars.

Good luck! Make sure baby sucks (either pacifier, bottle or nursing) on the way up and on the way down. C.

I've traveled many times with littles.

You can take the stroller and car seat all the way to the gate. I'd prefer that you do this anyway. You want to push baby through the airport, and you don't want stroller and car seat put on the plane until last (less chance of damage). Will you use the car seat on the plane? Does baby have a seat? Or are you planning on holding baby? Just don't check the car seat if you plan on using it! :)

ETA: You will need to get a gate pass for your stroller and car seat AT THE GATE when you get to it. Then you will drop them off at the entrance to the plane. Also, be prepared to put stroller and car seat through the security conveyor belt. You will have to hold baby (no blankets!!!) when you walk through the xray machine.

The car seat is meant to be used in the way you are talking. There are many moms who don't have the base. It's not the best way, but it will work.

The shuttle won't care if you even put the baby in the car seat. I'd do it, but be prepared to have them pulling away as you are still buckling. Practice putting in it in the center of your car....the one with the seatbelt that clamps down (no shoulder strap). Use the center seatbelt in the rental too. Also, check on the back of your infant seat to see if there is a gold buckle thing that comes off. This is for clamping down the shoulder seatbelt. Practice this too, if you need to.....more for when you get to the rental car.

Baby food: I know it's a hassle, but I would get the baby food in the pouches. You won't have to worry about it breaking. If you do take bottles, wrap them well, and put in a bag if possible -- to prevent it from leaking on other stuff.

Good luck, have fun!

Car seat and stroller can go all the way to the gate. As far as baby food buy the pouches or the gerber plastic containers and put them in ziploc bags so if one does happen to break open somehow it will be contained

I would check the carseat at the gate so you don't have to bring it on the plane.
Yes you can check your stroller at the airplane. Leave it right outside the plane, a steward will take it and then you have to wait in that area, when leaving the plane, for them to bring it back out.
Do a practice run with the seatbelts on the carseat. No need to bring the base. It's actually pretty easy to do that way.
I would wrap the baby food in bubble wrap and then put into large ziplocks. If one does break you don't want it all over your clothes.

As far as the baby food, just wrap jars individually up in your clothes!

You can wrap the baby food in bubble wrap before packing adn also put them in zip lock bags just in case.

Most shuttle vans don't require the use of car seats. That said, why not practice installing it in you car with out the base. Do it a few times so you are comfortable with it and bring a copy of the instructions with you just in case.

Another thought on the baby food, can you call the resort and ask if you can ship it down there (overninght express since you are leaving tomorrow). That would save some of the hassle.

ETA: Stroller I was always able to check that at the gate. I would pick up a travel bag for the car seat. You should be able to check it at the gate, but you may need to detach it from the stroller.
Have fun!