Travel with toddler, stroller a must or a bust?
 

We're travelling light with our toddler. We have the CARES seatbelt system: http://www.flyingwithkids.com/safety.htm for our airline journey, a Safe Traffic System for our carseat (it's a portable vest type): http://www.safetrafficsystem.com/ and a stroller, the Mclaren Volo at 9 lbs. The airline seatbelt and the carseat we can put in our backpack but the stroller, we'd have to haul around if not in use.

We're going to Java and Bali, the major sights. Will the stroller be used a lot? In Jogyakarta for example. I know in Borobudur with the many steps it's best to leave it in the hotel. Will we look weird pushing a stroller around or is this common there?

Thanks!

In my experience, there are not many sidewalks in either place where you could push a stroller. You will see occasional stretches of pavement that are not filled with stalls or motorbikes or so broken you couldn't use a stroller, but for the odd place it could be used, I wouldn't haul it halfway around the world.

For the places that you are visiting, I would think backpack type carrier would work better. The sidewalks and streets in places like Ubud and Jogja would not be "stroller friendly". If you decide not to bring a stroller, and then find that you might want one, I'm sure you could pick up an inexpensive one locally and then just leave give it to a local person when you leave.

I just gave this some more thought....you will have lots of time in airports, etc. A stroller would be very useful for those long concourses, especially if your child is asleep. Remember that on most airlines you can take the stroller right to the get and check it there.

Thanks for the replies. The backpack carrier... hmmm... quite heavy on the back. We're not big people even though she's just 35 lbs-ish.

Yes, having it at the airport at least is probably already worth it. We're going to be in Singapore too for a few days, it'll probably be very useful there.

You should not have a problem with the stroller in Singapore.

sc, I would recommend against a stroller in Java and Bali. As mentioned the "sidewalks" are either non-existant or wildly unever. You'll encounter a lot of aggravation carrying the stroller up and down steps and over potholes, broken pavement and drainage systems.

You'll need to keep a close eye (and hand) on your little one in Indonesia. You obviously put a high premium on prevention and I can tell you there is has no concept of child-safety procedure and equipment here. I'm an American living in Jakarta. My son grew up here and though it's been two decades since he was a toddler I still shudder to remember some close calls.

I'm not referring to human related issues. In that arena, blessedly, children are quite safe, but rather in environmental concerns like outlets, sewers, toxic materials like rat poison, dropoffs without railings, eratic traffic, unguarded pools etc., etc. For that reason carrying the child is a good idea.

Childcare is extremely safe and extemely inexpensive in Java and Bali. Many traveling families retain a babysitter fulltime while they are here.

Also, stay away from monkeys!

We traveled a lot with my boys when they were toddlers and an umbrella stroller worked great for us - they are light and easy to travel with.

While not always useful I have been grateful to have a stroller for airports. If not a stroller then absolutely a backpack, to have some place to put child, keep moving and have access to using both hands (unlike carrying).