If you are travelling by yourself, I'd recommend a stroller AND a baby front pack. The reason is that if you're wrestling luggage off the luggage carousel, you can leave the baby in the stroller next to you rather than trying to juggle both them and the luggage if you have them in a sling. Then once you have your luggage, get a trolley and load it up, then fold the stroller down and put the baby in the front pack. Remember that you'll have to pay to use a luggage trolley -- they're around $1-$2 depending on the airport.
A sling is a good idea but not if it requires your arms/hands to hold baby in -- if you're going to use one, make sure it's one that you can have both hands free. I used a Nature's Sway on the way over and it was a nightmare, so bought a cheap baby front pack and used that on the way back -- much better, especially as I was on my own and no one helped me with luggage etc.
Double-check that you can take your stroller as a carry-on on the plane and don't have to check it -- will make life easier. Some airports (Auckland) have strollers you can borrow to use there.
Check the TSA website for up-to-date regulations on what you can and can't take. ( http://www.tsa.gov/ - http://www.tsa.gov/ ) Print out the list of stuff that relates to what you are packing in your carry-on, and take it with you -- but do it the day before you leave, no earlier, as rules can change fast. Then if you are questioned you'll have some form of documentation about why you have what you do. Try to pack as light as possible and plan to eat crap on the way rather than packing food/drinks. It's only for 24 hours! Also pack all of your liquids/medicines/possibly suspicious items in a see-through snaplock baggie as it's easier if they are all together when you get searched. Don't bother taking any electronic equipment as it makes security a real pain in the neck to get through.
The bulkhead row (request those seats NOW! and ask for a bassinette! and call to confirm before your flight! and confirm again when you check in -- which you should do as early as you can!) has flip-up TVs in the armrest of the seat (usually), and there are heaps of channels to choose from with regards to movies, so hopefully if all else fails you can use the electronic babysitter to help keep your little one quiet and calm. Grow a thick skin if any tantrums are thrown -- you will never see these people again so who cares if they hate you for the duration of the flight -- and throw most of your parenting rules out of the window, as it's all about surviving the trip!
I'm going to Pennsylvania via Tokyo and New York, then coming back after three weeks and staying in Tokyo for a week. My daughter is two so it's a different kettle of fish, travel-wise!
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