Flying with 3 LOs ages 5, 3 & 6mo

Randa&Jerm

I am freaking out!

My MIL just informed us last week that she is getting married in CA and we are in WA and she wants us to attend of course.  At first we thought of driving, but the thought of that made me cry and decide it was best we don't go at all and would rather deal with a disapointed crazy MIL for the rest our lives than drive that far with my children. ;O)

So she offered to pay for airfare...now we are talking.  a 2 hour plane ride is much more doable than a 13 hour car ride without stops which for us would equal more like 18-20 hours with stops for nursing and leg stretching. 

So now we are preparing for air travel with our 5 & 3 year old girls and our DS that will be 6 months at the time over Memorial Day Weekend. 

I haven't figured out how we will handle car seats and luggage.  Packing and what to have available to us during the flight.  Any advice or can you point to any good travel websites that can give me an idea of what we can expect with flying with children?  I get anxious enough myself when flying, let alone with DH and 3 LOs.

 

HELP! 

 

zbeesma86

oh my...

I found a couple of things--

https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/07/tykes-on-a-plane-ten-tips-for-traveling-with-babies/

https://www.babycenter.com/0_travel-with-baby-how-we-can-help_7155.bc

One of my girlfriends traveled with her DS when he was itty bitty- like 3 months- her grandpa was dying and she had to fly home to say goodbye she said he was great- slept most of the way and when we was awake she just kept him buys (talking, playing, feeding)

Not sure if you have a ipad or some kind of kindle tablet thing- but for your 3 & 5 year old that could help- pop a movie on or let them play a game?

Hope those websites help.

Good luck!

 

IncognitoSuperhero

Luckily it's just a two hour flight. I would have each of your daughters carry their own little backpack with a couple toys, coloring book, snacks, and a sweater or blanket. Just a few things to get through the flight. Take your diaper bag for DS and bring just what you'll need for those two hours. Check all other luggage. You can hate check carseats, and strollers. We travelled with DS at 3 months old and used our stroller that has an attachment for the carseat. That way we were able to use the carseat and stroller to hold the diaper bag while we pushed it.

So if we were in your shoes I would probably wear DS or put him in the stroller. Put diaper bag in the bottom of the stroller. Have DDs each wear their little backpacks and make sure they know to each hold one of DH hands.

Do you have other carseats to bring? If so I would wear DS push stroller with diaper bag in it, have each DD hold onto stroller or my belt loops or somehing and have DH carry additional carseats.

Good luck!!

Randa&Jerm

IncognitoSuperhero:

Luckily it's just a two hour flight. I would have each of your daughters carry their own little backpack with a couple toys, coloring book, snacks, and a sweater or blanket. Just a few things to get through the flight. Take your diaper bag for DS and bring just what you'll need for those two hours. Check all other luggage. You can hate check carseats, and strollers. We travelled with DS at 3 months old and used our stroller that has an attachment for the carseat. That way we were able to use the carseat and stroller to hold the diaper bag while we pushed it. So if we were in your shoes I would probably wear DS or put him in the stroller. Put diaper bag in the bottom of the stroller. Have DDs each wear their little backpacks and make sure they know to each hold one of DH hands. Do you have other carseats to bring? If so I would wear DS push stroller with diaper bag in it, have each DD hold onto stroller or my belt loops or somehing and have DH carry additional carseats. Good luck!!

 

Yeah DD's still use car seats.  DD1 will likely just be in a booster by then and DD2 in a high back booster.  I do have a moby and a bjorn for DS but will still need his carseat also.  Not sure if he will be in a convertible or still in his infant seat.  based on how big he is right now, I bet he will be able to be in a convertible at that time.   Well I guess I have a little while to prepare but the thought of this right now is very overwhelming.

APendola

Luckily, it is a short flight and you'll have your DH to help.

If you are only going to be there for a few days and you are renting a car, I would just rent carseats from the car rental company  Most rental companies have this option and they'll get the car ready for you.  It would be way too much to drag three carseats with you on the plane.  And the airlines usually only let you bring a stroller and carseat for free with babies(under 2) for older children, that will count as a piece of luggage.  So if you have lots of luggage, you may end up paying more.

I have only flown with one baby which is obviously a lot easier - but it wasn't that bad.  Lots of families fly with their 2-3 kids.  You'll survive it!  

And never be embarrassed if they are a little loud.  There are always other kids on the flight.