kellbell

Since I've started posting here, I've gotten married and now have two little ones. I traveled with my first child a lot, both solo and with my husband. But it has been a while, and I've not flown with both kiddos. I need some advice from veteran parent travelers. . .

I'm flying to Florida with my son (3 years old) and my daughter (1 year old) by myself in March. I have purchased a seat for each child. We have the bulkhead row on our flight.

I plan to bring our stroller and our infant carrier (the baby is still in her carrier rear-facing b/c she is small for her age).

Here are my questions:
1) Do I need the carrier base to use the carrier on the plane?
2) Is my son old enough to sit in the seat without a carseat (I'm planning to rent one for him to use while in Florida)?
3) Thoughts on how to do a diaper change for the baby on the plane without the assistance of another adult -- do I leave son in seat unattended to take baby to bathroom on the plane for changing the diaper?

I'm nervous about handling all the gear and the kiddos alone. Any advice or tips to make this process go smoothly would be greatly appreciated. I'll have help getting into the airport and I'm being picked up. . . it is just manuevering through the airport and on the flight that I'm a bit stressed about logistics.

Thanks in advance!

Continental_Drifter

From where will you be traveling or how long is the flight? That will help in suggesting whether/how to change the little one's diaper en route.

We've traveled with all three kids for many years and from very young ages. I've even driven the three of them at ages 2, 4 and 6 from Atlanta to Pennsylvania and back.

It always works out and the best approach is to take everything in stride.

I'd use a double umbrella stroller to navigate the airport. You don't have to gate check it and it's compact. I'm a travel light fanatic, however.

1) I would not take the carrier base on the plane. It's too bulky and too much to carry. I would probably hesitate even taking a carseat for either child. Your daughter might benefit from one of the overall-style harnesses sold at some tot safety stores. It will both keep her in her seat as well as belted in. (Cavalier, I know, but it's a lot to carry.)

I'd check whatever I can and pay a skycap to assist me from baggage claim. Even with someone picking you up, you'll appreciate the help and in these economic times, he'll appreciate the tip.

2) Yes. He's three and can be taught to sit in his seat and buckle his belt. I'd start practicing with him now, pretending that you're on the airplane on the sofa, with l'il sis alongside with you in the middle. Have DH do the FA mimicry pointing at exits, etc., complete with a drink and a snack after 20 mins or so, so he knows it's coming. It will have you all in stitches and will help him figure it all out.

3) If at all possible, I'd avoid the diaper change. I'm a little nutty about leaving my kids with strangers or unattended, so I'd take both with me to the lav if I absolutely had to change both. We moms should all get together and demand those wacky seats that hang from the wall like you find at ballparks. It's the only way Mom gets to go potty! If you absolutely have to change her, you're pretty adept by now with two kids. I'd lay her right down (on a blanket or pad, of course) on the floor of the bulkhead and change her. Keep a ziplock handy so that you can quickly stash the diaper and eliminate any odor.

I'm not one to stuff a movie in front of my kids, but I can't tell you how great it is to be able to occupy their time on a flight with a few vids on a personal DVD player. Headphones are a fabulous thing and if he uses them a few times before, he'll have the hang of it for your trip.

Good luck!

Mom23rugrats

Momliz

I would repost this on the airlines forum - a few FA's post there, and could add to the excellent info you have recvd already.

kellbell

Thanks, moms! Great advice.

To answer your question, we are flying from Cleveland to Ft. Myer. About 2 hours 45 minutes. A lot shorter than our trip to Italy was when my son was 9 months, but that was with my husband and only one kid. Totally different. I bet this trip will feel like we are flying to Italy when it is all said and done!

I think that I will probably bring her infant carrier, only b/c she's used to it. Still easy to strap into our stroller. But the idea of a double umbrella stroller is a great one, too. . . I might have to look into that. I know that my son often wants a ride and I think him standing on the back of our stroller won't be so easy while hustling through the airport.

Are there any allowances these days for a "helper" to get me to the gate? I wish my husband could help us get down to the gate, even though he isn't flying. Oh, dreams of a pre 9/11 world. . .

esm

kellbell, when in-laws travel alone, we get permission to accompany them to the gate. I think this should be possible for you traveling alone with 2 children.

kellbell

Really? Who would I have to talk to? How does the process work for you?

esm

kellbell, I'll check with my SIL and post back since she is the one who does this. The airport on her end (CA) is large but we live in a small community so the airport is tiny and security near the gate within sight.

kellbell

Thanks in advance for your help! I'll probably try calling Cleveland Hopkins Airport to see if they can answer this question on airport policy. Curious to know what you find out. Appreciate it!

esm

I just talked to my SIL. She said that she asks for and gets a pass from the check-in counter. Good luck.

kellbell

Sounds easy enough! Thank you again! That will at least help with the front-end of the trip!

atp2007

My son at age 3 would single out an adolescent/teenage girl at the gate and make contact, so that often n the plane he had someone to entertain him and give us a break. Young women in the military were also good targets, 20 years later he still a small Teddy Bear given to him by a young soldier on her way back to N. Carolina.
I was on a flight once when Virgin separated a family going to the Uk into two distant rows and when the mother would had to go back to console the kids in the other row, I would volunteer to keep an eye on the child in our row and make sure she stayed calm. If you are lucky there are people who are also bored and would not mind helping for awhile.

eastave

I would double check that it is ok to just bring the infant seat without the base. Our infant seat was not approved for airline travel without the base. I would say about 50% of the time the flight attendant would actually stop me and make sure the seat had the appropriate approval sticker on it. It was a huge pain to bring the base along. I did do it solo once, but it was just with one kid.

My experience is that people are very willing to help parents traveling alone (and not alone it turns out). I have had a lot of assistance at security. I am always amazed at how the workers there are pretty good at getting strollers popped back up.

jmcdo

It has been a few years, but I got really good at the in-seat diaper change.

Make sure you get an airline blanket. Put that on the floor by the window for the older child. Put the baby carrier on the floor in front of the middle seat to free room and provide a base for your diaper bag. Put your baby blanket on the window and middle seats followed by the diaper changing pad. Layout the unfolded diapers, wipes, disposable bag, etc where you can quickly get them. Lay the baby down on the seat with the older child acting as a barrier so the baby stays entertained and in one place. Put the clean, unfolded diaper under the baby, unsnap the clothes and grab a wipe. Unfasten the diaper, do a VERY FAST cleanup, roll the diaper, place it in the bag and fasten the new diaper. Tie up the bag, resnap the clothes, put Purell on your hands and you are done. If you are half-standing with one knee on the aisle seat, you can maneuver faster and no one can see what you are doing. My kids were open-air for no more than a few seconds which kept the odor to an absolute minimum. Draping a jacket over the space between the aisle and window seats kept the passengers in the row behind from having to witness the exchange. If you can change a diaper on a loveseat, you can do it on an airplane seat.

I only used the bathroom if we had a diaper disaster or if someone would watch the older child. The bathroom floors are just too horrible. I started putting the airplane blanket on the floor in front of the seats after I found my toddler playing with a pill she discovered on the ground. Thank God she gave it to me instead of putting it in her mouth.

I also used a front pack to get the baby on and off the plane. My diaper bag was a back pack and I balanced the carrier on my head if no one volunteered to help. This still left me with one hand for the toddler. I was a sight, but it all worked.

My last bit of advice is to pack more diapers and clothes than you need and then pack 3 more. You never know when your flight will be forced to circle for a few extra hours!

siena1

Another diaper changing idea: You could notify a flight attendant before you leave your seat to change the baby. The flight attendant could then keep an eye on the three year old, perhaps.

Or, as suggested previously, you could enlist the assistance of your fellow passengers. My husband flew alone with our daughter recently, and most people are very willing to help a solo parent.

maharanistreasures

Kellbell--
My suggestion would be this: a decent size backpack to carry on the necessities (food, nappies, a change of clothes). A single umbrella stroller for your 3-year old and a baby carrier on your front for the 1-year old. This enables you (to be a sherpa!) but to also be able to maneuver all your items and 2 kids by yourself.
My biggest surprise is when i see Moms traveling without any food/snacks. There are more reasons for delays these days and a chance of getting stuck on the plane for hours. Small ziplocks of various snacks packed in a small, soft-sided cooler-type bag will do. You can be mindful of the restrictions on liquids and creams (including soup and other creamy items) and still take along some good food. If your kids will eat instant noodles or soups, you can bring a lightweight plastic bowl or sippy and put the instant noodles in a ziplock instead. These are light and you don't have to end up with a crushed instant noodle cup. some kids cheeses can last most of the day outside of the fridge. I would just plan on bringing your own food. And while you can't bring bottles of water through certain security checkpoints, you can always bring an empty bottle to fill up and have at your seat.
I usually bring one new item of interest for each kid....it will last at least a few minutes and possibly more. Also, a small pad and some colors can usually whittle away some time.
I'm a Flight Attendant of 23 years and a Mom......and while I know there is quite a dilemma about using the lavatories/changing nappies with 2 kids, I cannot condone changing a nappy in the cabin. I just don't think that's acceptable. Also, to me, it's an issue of hygiene as there are also food and beverages being served and other people have to then sit in those seats. It's pretty random as to whether you would find a sympathetic Flight Attendant. I think it depends on whether they have kids themselves or have been around infants. I'm like mom23rugrats above--i didn't leave my son with ANYONE. But you have to have your wits about you and if you need help, you have to trust your instincts. I also think her idea about practicing on the sofa is great.
As for car seats, I personally found it a great excuse to sit with my baby on my lap for the flight duration and have that close contact. Even though you've bought seats for each of you, I would rather have my infant in my lap for take-off and landing. You can make room across two seats for a nap if you are lucky enough that the kids need it! I use Bach Flower Remedy creme if the energy level gets out of control. A little on the arms and neck can take a slight edge off the melt-down or help really antsy small people! It also works for big people!
And the biggest---take your patience. For everything and everyone you encounter. When you hit the end of your patience, take a deep breath and count 3.