Traveling alone with kids?

Cass&Derek

I am considering traveling from WA to TN to visit family while on maternity leave as I won't have vacation time available until next year. We drove from CA to WA & back when DD was 3 & 6 weeks, so I'm not worried about how I will feel traveling, but I'm more worried about traveling with a 2 yr old and newborn. I just don't think it's in our budget for DH to come, so it'd just be the 2 kids and I.

Has anyone done this or any suggestions? I realize I'm slightly crazy for even considering this, but I'd love to see my family and this is the only way I can see it happen.

Edit: We would be flying, not driving

NavyPilotWife

Yep, you are nuts.  I'm not sure how long your maternity leave is, but it might be too physically demanding to travel by yourself shortly after giving birth.  Traveling alone with 2u2 is doable, but it is certainly no picnic.  I recommend restraining the toddler, whether you buy a CARES harness for the airplane or use her car seat.  If you use the car seat, get something like this: https://www.diapers.com/p/Go-Go-Babyz-gogo-Kidz-Travelmate-with-Removable-Wheels-8494?site=CI&srccode=cii_23393768&cpncode=00-44841308-2&utm_source=cse&utm_medium=cpc_D&utm_term=GO-001&utm_campaign=amazon  That way you have a safe way to get the toddler through the airport and you don't have to lug the car seat (they get heavy-- I had a direct flight and lugging it through LAX was enough for me).

I would check all of your luggage and take a backpack as your carry-on.  In the backpack, put extra snacks, toys, books, diapers, wipes, and several outfit changes for all of you (or at least an extra shirt for you).  Wear the baby in an Ergo.  The less crap you have to get through security/break down before getting on the plane, the better.  Good luck!

SirSleepsALot

I, too, am crazy and just flew w/ my kids when DS1 was 21 months and DS2 about 9 weeks.  I had to take both car seats with me.  Here's how I did it and it wasn't that bad, although I won't be doing it again any time soon....it was pretty exhausting.  My best advice is either get a direct flight if at all possible OR break the flight up in 2 relatively equal halves.  My toddler was great on the first leg of the flight but by the 2nd he was all ramped up thinking the flying was over and it was play time, only to be strapped back into a seat.  Baby slept the whole time but I had him in a sling.  The sling was great for getting through ticketing and all that, but at security I had to take him out which was a nightmare.  Imagine sending your 2 year old through the security thing, then being sent back through to remove your baby from the wrap while your 2 year old runs off by himself on the other side of the gate.  Yeah.  Thanks, a lot, TSA. 

I had my DH park the car and get me all the way to security and my mom do the same on the way back.  We rented one of those carts at both airports which I've never done in my life but it was a lifesaver.  Brought both car seats, 1 suitcase for all 3 of us, All these were checked (car seats are free).  Ask for the big plastic bags to wrap the car seats in and if they give them to you...KEEP them for the return cause not every airport has them (learned this the hard way but car seats weren't dirtied or damaged in either direction).  Ok, so I had baby in the sling, toddler in a $20 umbrella stroller.  Diaper bag (for both kids) slun on the handles of the stroller along w/ LO's mini back pack.  In DS's backpack (he got his own carry on b/c you have to buy 1 kid a seat - only one child under 2 flies free per adult) I had books, snacks like animal crackers, goldfish, gummies, and a water cup which I didn't fill till we got through security.  Also his Elmo doll for bedtime, and an extra pacifier.  Pack your own toddler spoon/fork in your luggage if you need those on the other end, I did.Ok, then I had a mid sized canvas tote for myself that had my wallet, cell phone, a portable DVD player for DS1 with a brand new Toy Story DVD (exciting!) and a magazine for myself as well as a bottle of water for me and some hot tamales, cause you know, you need those.  Oh, and a sweatshirt for me and a light blanket for the baby which I used at the airport during layovers for the kids to lay/sit on make a picnic, etc.  So, I was walking through the airport with a baby strapped on, carrying a huge bag, pushing a stroller w/ a toddler and 2 bags hanging off of it...AND drinking a cup of coffee!!!  I call that a success. 

Good luck to you - it can totally be done, just make sure you get to the airport 2 hours early and dont' rush or be frantic, the kids will pick up on it and melt down.   

SirSleepsALot

I forgot:  In the diaper bag make sure you have a few extra outfits for the baby (why do blowouts always/only happen in times like this?) and LOTS of diapers.  You don't want to get stuck delayed flight somewhere with only enough diapers for the trip you thought you were taking.  Plus, if you can't buy diapers right away when you get to your destination, you have enough diapers and wipes to get you to the next day.  And a couple plastic bags for dirty diapers or clothes and extra pacifiers for the baby (if you use them). 

12bailey18

You are not alone! I'm a military wife and will be traveling all the time with my LO's while DH is training or deployed. I haven't done it yet but will be in the spring for the first time. I flew alone with DS when he was 6 months old and it was so easy. The white noise of the plane (we sat in the back) put him right to sleep. Your newborn should be just fine. Just bring lots of entertainment for the 2 year old.