Crazy to fly with a 2 yo and a 7 mo? Tips

Bran_ham

Who's flown with their 29 mo and 7 mo alone? There would be two flights, first one is 2.5 hrs and second is just over an hour. The stop over is about 2 hrs. My 2 yo is a handful and unfortunately doesn't follow direction all that well, which makes me nervous. We haven't flown with him since he was 18 mos and he did great although he had to be entertained the whole time (7hr flight). At 18 mos he still hadn't reached the terrible twos. I was a nervous wreck every time I anticipated flying with DS though so I'm not sure how this is any different. DS would have his own seat and DD would be a lap baby.

I would love to hear tips on flying with two of them or if I should stay home. 

12bailey18

I'm flying in March by myself with a two year old and seven month old! It's going to be hard but it's the only way I'm able to see my family. No tips- since I'm new at it- but wanted you to know you're not alone!

Bee101

Does your 2 yo watch tv?  Can you put some movies or games on your cell phone?  I try not to use it too often but my 2 year old will always go for an episode of his favorite cartoon on my Iphone.  I would totally break that out for this situation.

rosesandpeonies

I did it with a 3 month old and 21 month old.  I bought them their own seats.  I used a gogobabyz travelmate for my older daughter seat...and the snap n go for my youngest daughter's seat.  I brought tons of snacks for the older one.  Extra clothes for all of us.  Tons of activities...and I flew jetblue so that their was tv.  I bought my older daughter special headphones for kids.  Both of them did well.

For me them being in their own carseats was key!  She knows she has to sit in it so she does...she is comfortable in it and gets it.  She would not have sat on my lap or in her own seat without that carseat. 

howleyshell

Been there, done that.

#1.  I'd beg, borrow and steal to not have that lay over.  That would scare the cr@p outta me.  Is there really not a direct flight?

 #2.  Have someone take you to the airport and get a gate pass.  DH was not flying with me but was able to stay with me until we boarded to help out.

#3.  Hand the kids to DH and go pee by yourself just before boarding.  Make him take the 2 kids to the restroom and put them in fresh diapers.

#4.  Wear the baby.  I used a back pack carrier for getting off the plane and out of the concourse and a front carrier for while on the plane.  It was much easier to walk the toddler up and down the aisles with the baby secured to my front and both hands free.  Ditto for any necessary diaper changes or toy fetching off the ground.  You're in big trouble when the baby's in a stroller, you're not legally allowed to leave behind a bag and your toddler goes running full tilt down the concourse.  Having the baby strapped on frees up 2 hands for tough situations and toddler chasing. 

#5.  Bag of brand new toys that you know they'll like but avoid things that roll like balls or crayons.

#6.  Gallon zip locks with changes of clothes for each.

 #7.  Bring a sense of humor.  There will be rough spots but you'll survive.  A friends of mine took disposable ear plugs and handed them out as she boarded the plane.  People cracked up and she got to hear all kinds of other people's horror stories.  Remember that most people have had small kids once themselves and know that you're doing the best you can.  I was stunned at the offers of help from total strangers. 

#8  If at all possible have someone on the other end to help you with the kids.  I'm talking "I'm going to go take a nap now, please watch my children in my absence" kinda help. 

 

I was TERRIFIED to do this but I've gotta tell you that it went better than I expected.  Granted... I didn't have a lay over.  

GL! 

12bailey18

howleyshell:

Been there, done that.

#1.  I'd beg, borrow and steal to not have that lay over.  That would scare the cr@p outta me.  Is there really not a direct flight?

 #2.  Have someone take you to the airport and get a gate pass.  DH was not flying with me but was able to stay with me until we boarded to help out.

#3.  Hand the kids to DH and go pee by yourself just before boarding.  Make him take the 2 kids to the restroom and put them in fresh diapers.

#4.  Wear the baby.  I used a back pack carrier for getting off the plane and out of the concourse and a front carrier for while on the plane.  It was much easier to walk the toddler up and down the aisles with the baby secured to my front and both hands free.  Ditto for any necessary diaper changes or toy fetching off the ground.  You're in big trouble when the baby's in a stroller, you're not legally allowed to leave behind a bag and your toddler goes running full tilt down the concourse.  Having the baby strapped on frees up 2 hands for tough situations and toddler chasing. 

#5.  Bag of brand new toys that you know they'll like but avoid things that roll like balls or crayons.

#6.  Gallon zip locks with changes of clothes for each.

 #7.  Bring a sense of humor.  There will be rough spots but you'll survive.  A friends of mine took disposable ear plugs and handed them out as she boarded the plane.  People cracked up and she got to hear all kinds of other people's horror stories.  Remember that most people have had small kids once themselves and know that you're doing the best you can.  I was stunned at the offers of help from total strangers. 

#8  If at all possible have someone on the other end to help you with the kids.  I'm talking "I'm going to go take a nap now, please watch my children in my absence" kinda help. 

 

I was TERRIFIED to do this but I've gotta tell you that it went better than I expected.  Granted... I didn't have a lay over.  

GL! 

I LOVE you! Thank you so much for the tips, I'll be doing this in March. Did you have to unstrap LO from the front carrier to go through security? That's the only thing I'm trying to figure out how to juggle. Unstrapping her and keeping my 2 year old by my side.  

Bran_ham

We can't get around the layover We're flying to a small town. 

Your tips are awesome! I feel better about it but I'm still on the fence. I'm torn between guilt (and seeing family) and staying sane. Ugh.

Glendi428

12bailey18:

howleyshell:

I LOVE you! Thank you so much for the tips, I'll be doing this in March. Did you have to unstrap LO from the front carrier to go through security? That's the only thing I'm trying to figure out how to juggle. Unstrapping her and keeping my 2 year old by my side.  

I would advise you to literally map out every step at tricky points like security. Don't leave anything to the last minute... it was very helpful for me to remember what things I had to do before others. It's only like 4 minutes, but there's about 296 little things that need to happen in the right sequence for you to pass through security smoothly!

I did it at almost those exact ages. As I recall (and I recall very little- it was a few years ago, and frankly, not some of my best mommy monents!), I got TONS of help at security... there's pretty much no way to juggle that madness with a baby and toddler without a second set of hands at least. If I recall correctly, I was wearing DD#2 and pushing DD#1 in the stroller and carrying a backpack with all their stuff- at security, I had DD#1 get out of the stroller,  I unstrapped DD#2, put her in the stroller, and told DD to hold the handles of the stroller and sing her ABC's or something to keep her still. I quickly ripped off my bjorn (or sling, can't remember what I had on), threw it, along with the backpack, on the belt, picked up DD#2 and walked through security with her. DD#1 walked through right in front of me. On the other side, someone got the stroller off the belt for me, and I was able to somehow manage the rest. I will say, DD#1 was super obedient and a good traveler, so that helped tremendously. 

Like others said, rely heavily on the good graces and kindness of strangers. Never did I need a "village" more than I did that trip!

 

sweetpea2003

The military spouse board is a good resource for this.  I've had friends fly with 3u3 and even 4u5 several times alone.  Some internationally.  And without a DH to help them to the gate.  It can be done, and so much of it is just thinking it through ahead of time and NOT letting it get the best of your anxiety.  The anxiety is worse than the actual flight most of the time .

My only advice would be to buy your baby a seat if possible.  It is much easier to handle two kids when you have the option of strapping them both in a carseat.  Even if the baby is on your lap most of the time, you now have an extra seat to store all of the toys and snacks that you will need for your 2 year old.

Good luck!

celiabwatson

12bailey18:

howleyshell:

Been there, done that.

#1.  I'd beg, borrow and steal to not have that lay over.  That would scare the cr@p outta me.  Is there really not a direct flight?

 #2.  Have someone take you to the airport and get a gate pass.  DH was not flying with me but was able to stay with me until we boarded to help out.

#3.  Hand the kids to DH and go pee by yourself just before boarding.  Make him take the 2 kids to the restroom and put them in fresh diapers.

#4.  Wear the baby.  I used a back pack carrier for getting off the plane and out of the concourse and a front carrier for while on the plane.  It was much easier to walk the toddler up and down the aisles with the baby secured to my front and both hands free.  Ditto for any necessary diaper changes or toy fetching off the ground.  You're in big trouble when the baby's in a stroller, you're not legally allowed to leave behind a bag and your toddler goes running full tilt down the concourse.  Having the baby strapped on frees up 2 hands for tough situations and toddler chasing. 

#5.  Bag of brand new toys that you know they'll like but avoid things that roll like balls or crayons.

#6.  Gallon zip locks with changes of clothes for each.

 #7.  Bring a sense of humor.  There will be rough spots but you'll survive.  A friends of mine took disposable ear plugs and handed them out as she boarded the plane.  People cracked up and she got to hear all kinds of other people's horror stories.  Remember that most people have had small kids once themselves and know that you're doing the best you can.  I was stunned at the offers of help from total strangers. 

#8  If at all possible have someone on the other end to help you with the kids.  I'm talking "I'm going to go take a nap now, please watch my children in my absence" kinda help. 

 

I was TERRIFIED to do this but I've gotta tell you that it went better than I expected.  Granted... I didn't have a lay over.  

GL! 

I LOVE you! Thank you so much for the tips, I'll be doing this in March. Did you have to unstrap LO from the front carrier to go through security? That's the only thing I'm trying to figure out how to juggle. Unstrapping her and keeping my 2 year old by my side.  

We just flew and I wore our little one and did not have to unstrap her at security. They did swab my hands though "instead". I'm not sure if that's true at every airport now but it might be. I'd be prepared either way but not worry too much ahead of time. Also, toddlers no longer have to remove their shoes so that's a blessing.