I am flying later this week from Berlin to the USA, with a transfer at Heathrow. I will be traveling with a large baby (12kg/25lbs), my four year old, a carseat, an umbrella stroller, and three backpacks as carryons (not counting our checked luggage). We are arriving at Terminal 5 and departing from Terminal 3, flying BA (although the second leg I believe is operated by American). We officially have 1 hour and 45 minutes to make the transfer.

From reading the Heathrow website, it looks like we will have to take a bus, go through security again, and need at least 90 minutes to get from one gate to the next. I have been able to gate check the umbrella stroller that we will be traveling with on a number of different flights in multiple countries, but if something does happen and they don't allow me to gate check, or move the stroller to the regular cargo hold, or lose it, I will literally not be able to make it from one gate to the next, since I cannot by myself carry the baby, the carseat, and three backpacks (for more than say 10 yards or so). I can't pack any lighter--we are only bringing necessities, and since we will be traveling for over 20 hours, I have to bring diapers, food/drink for the kids, and toys enough to get us through that time, in addition to being unable to check my laptop with the regular luggage. The baby needs the car seat for the plane, as I have purchased her a seat, and it is in line with airline policies and FAA rules. I have traveled a lot with the kids before, but never such a long distance all by myself, so I'm trying to think ahead about how to handle this transfer.

I'm wondering if anyone has a similar experience, and with Heathrow and/or BA in particular? Any particular tips or advice? For example, I was contemplating calling BA now and asking ahead of time for assistance, in case I get stuck without the stroller--does anyone have experience with doing that in this kind of situation?

Thanks in advance for reading my post...