Originally Posted by
Ellya
What exactly do you mean “check it with your regular luggage?” Are you saying to check it with my main suitcase so I don’t see my stroller until i reach the destination?
Asking because my 6 month old is the size of a 12 month old; carrying him while also carrying a duffel bag and Diaper bag to and from connections would be nearly impossible; even with a baby carrier. I’ll need my stroller each time.
We would caution against checking a stroller as hold luggage in any circumstances.
As you've noted, the need for the stroller is one aspect of why it wouldn't be a wise choice, but the other is potential damage to the stroller. There is no practical or totally reliable method to protect a stroller when flying, but gate checking it will greatly reduce the chance of any possible damage. Especially if you have an umbrella/lightweight design of stroller. We traveled with our daughter in a stroller until she was 11 years old, by which time she had a typical, but larger, umbrella stroller. Obviously, its overall design was stronger, but its size meant it was far more prone to being knocked or damaged and we protected against that by always gate checking it.
Additionally, if your stroller has any particular parts or accessories which need detaching for it to fold, gate checking it would also be better (the stroller we had our daughter in when she was older had a detachable footrest which locked the stroller open so it was vital we never lost it). Not only does it reduce the chance of any detachable items getting misplaced/lost, but it also precludes you from having to figure out how to pack/carry those parts/items separately from the stroller were you to check it as hold luggage.
Everyone is different, and you'll know what works best for you, but in 11 years of traveling with a stroller, we would strongly recommend gate checking it over checking it as hold luggage.