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Northern California Babies
Travel-wise moms
We are going to be heading to the Midwest in a couple of weeks for a wedding and I'm beyond nervous, anxious and excited for this trip. It's our first flight with the boys (my sister is going to also be traveling with us so we'll have one extra set of hands). We'll be leaving on a Thursday AM and returning on Sunday PM.
What are the MUST HAVE items for our carry-ons?
Also, I tend to overpack, what things should I definitely take and what things should I leave here (ie diapers)?
Any other tips or hints to share?
TIA!!
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Re: Travel-wise moms
Anything that can easily be bought there- and you regularly do buy (like wipes and diapers) leave at home. I go overboard and have 3-5 diapers with me for a midwest (3.5 hours trip) and maybe 5 more in my luggage to tide me over. If I'm traveling to someone's home, I ask them to pick up wipe and diapers for me before I arrive (remember to reimburse!).
Don't pack towels or bedding- even at a hotel, you can always request extra.
For on the plane, new is good and multipurpose is good. EG, a deck of cards (I like an UNO deck) can be used in multiple ways- find the reds, greens, etc; find the 1's, 2's. You can play go fish or just 52 card pickup. Crayons, stickers, books, snacks. I usually try to raid the $1 bin at Target for new things. Even new snacks- like the colored goldfish crackers instead of regular orange ones.
Oh and the ipod. S is allowed to watch videos, but we don't even bother with audio (at least we haven't), she's been content to just see the screen... And I bring a blanket (an Aden and Anais- multipurpose and light!) to screen the lights if she wants to sleep.
HTH- I know mine is a lot younger, but maybe some of the same applies.
One thing I always tell people, and your kids maybe too old or not, but when I travel I buy a huge thing of ear plugs (like 30 sets). I figure that way if my kid pitches a huge fit then at least I can send DH around handing out ear plugs, how much can people hate you if you at least thought ahead right
Carry on
-Favorite book
-Lovies and/or comfy blanket
- A couple special, new toys
-Coloring book and crayons, stickers
-Lots of snacks, maybe let them pick out a special snack at the airport or even a special book to help them get more excited about it.
-If they are still in diapers they bathrooms on planes are gross, I pack a couple sheets of Tin Foil, easy and small. They can play with it and you can lay it down if you have to change them on the floor ( it can just be enough for them to sit on even)
-Protable DVD player if you have one or can borrow one.
-We always put Andrew in Huggies Overnights for traveling, as long as he doesn't poop it's that many less diapers we have to change
Don't forget since you'll have a seat for each boy you also have their carryon allowance so if you've got the hands for that much stuff you can take an awful lot.
-Would they go for a little backpack full of their little treats that they get to carry? Make them excited and feel important?
I definitely agree with buying things like wipes and diapers once you get there. Just pack enough so you can make it to the store the next morning. If you've got a busy weekend you probably won't need to much to keep them entertained but I would take a few things that you can pull out once you get there and keep their plane toys as special plane toys so they aren't over them by the time you head home.
I get up and walk the plane as much as possible, around and around we go but it helps. Also ask the stewardesses to let you know before they start service, nothing worse than being stuck in your seat with a kid that has to go to the bathroom NOW and having a cart on either side of you. Plus it gives you one last chance to get up and move around.
If you have a layover a flat sheet can make for tons of fun, they can lay down on it if they are tired, you can make a fort over the airport chairs with it, doubles as a blanket on the plane.
One thing that helped us and Z was Benadryl. Of course ask your Pedi. Not only do you get to have a smooth flight, they'll rest and won't be cranky when you arrive.
To make it fun, don't forget to ask for wings! Maybe some plane paraphenalia (sp) for them to play with. Give them a theme to play with.
Clorox wipes. To me just to assure I can clean if it's not super clean.
Slip on shoes for you. Just makes it easier going through security. On the same front, make a plan. I.E., DH is in charge of the gear, you grab the kids and their carry on.
Car Seat, if you are taking your own and not buying a special bag, take a trash bag just in case. I didn't take one thinking the airline would supply one and the seat got filthy.
As an event planner, I always had bags for the kids to keep them involved. Bubbles, a coloring book, take something in case it isn't supplied by the bride. The kids really appreciate it, especially the parents.
Eek! Good luck!! I don't have much to add. I think the others covered it very well. Snacks, snacks, snacks - lots of them! New toys are good too. On our last trip, I let Carter pick a few new small items at the store and told him they were his special toys for the airplane and he couldn't play with them until our flight. He seemed to get it. Stickers were also a big hit. I never tried this, but a friend of mine wrapped the items as gifts and used those when she really needed her kid to behave.
Let's be honest here though. You have the cutest set of identical twin boys!! Who doesn't love twins? Especially identical ones! Everyone on the plane, airport, etc. is going to be so in love with them at first sight - they can get away with anything on the flight!