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Parenting
Traveled as sole adult on flight w/ infant and toddler?
please share some advice and tips on doing this. I'm traveling (death in the family) with my newborn and 3 yo sans the hubs. And I have some questions:
1. If your toddler really needed to potty (granted you made him/ her go just before departure), how did you manage in the tiny airplane bathroom with infant? Are there any tips on doing this?
2. If your infant needed a diaper change, would it be understandable to do it at your seat (I know I'll get quite the response for this one but hey, just asking)? If not, any tips on dragging the toddler and everyone fitting in the restroom?
3. Thoughts on nursing/ pumping at your seat (of course making sure everything's covered up)?
4. I made sure to get a nonstop flight BUT should I purchase a seat for all three of us?
What else do I need to know?
Nutmeg, cilantro, sage, mint, thyme... these are a few of my favorite things!
We have four children; one left us too soon.
We have four children; one left us too soon.
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Re: Traveled as sole adult on flight w/ infant and toddler?
If you can swing it, I would buy seats for all 3 rather than trying to have the newborn be a lap child while trying to handle a 3 year old.
I can't imagine nursing at your seat would be an issue, but I think pumping may skeeve people out (the noise).
As far as 2 kids in the bathroom, I'd have the baby in a sling or moby wrap so you can have your hands free to help the 3 yo.
Personally, I wouldn't mind a diaper change in your row of seats if it was just pee. A poopy diaper...that's different. I'm not entirely sure how to handle that...some airplane bathrooms have flip down changing tables and some don't. I ended up having to change DD on the toilet seat, so there was barely room for me, let alone another person. I'd probably ask the flight attendant at the beginning of the flight if she wouldn't mind keeping an eye on the 3 yo if you have to change the baby in the bathroom. If your 3 yo is anything like mine, he'll probably not even notice you've left if you have a DVD for him to watch.
I've done this a few times, it's really not too bad.
1. I would take both kids with me and let my daughter go potty with the door open while I stood right there. Sometimes a nice flight attendant would offer to hold the baby for me, which was great. They are pretty used to these scenarios so are very helpful. It was good that DD#1 was pretty self-sufficient when it came to going potty so that I didn't have to help her too much while holding DD#2 (if there were no flight attendants nearby).
2. I would never change a diaper in my seat, there is just not enough space to do it comfortably. I don't mind funny looks but it's probably best to do it in the bathroom. Most have a changing table that pulls down above the toilet, the flight attendants know which one to direct you to. Same thing as before, I would just leave the door open and do it, while a flight attendant would entertain DD#1 for me (or she liked to look out the little porthole, whatever). It's an airplane so if she were to wander off, she's obviously not going to get lost.
3. Gotta do what you gotta do! Discretion is a good thing, of course.
4. If you can afford it, I would do it. Carrying a newborn is difficult. I've done it but I'm cheap like that. There was a couple on one flight with a newborn sitting in an infant carrier and they just put it backward on the seat. Baby slept through most of the flight, I was so jealous! I think if I had to go back and do it again I'd opt for a seat for each of us. So much easier.
Just be sure to have lots of entertainment for your 3 year-old. I used to buy a couple of new things just for the airplane to keep mine busy. Snacks are good too, especially during takeoff and landing for the pressure on their ears (this is when a bottle comes in handy for an infant). Honestly, the flying part is a piece of cake compared to getting through security, that's a drag. Fortunately most people are nice enough to help a lone mother travelling with children. Love those 'family lanes' too, look for those!
About pumping... I don't think there is anyway you could pump w/ 2 small kids. Just nurse, trust me. Then you don't have to try to get your pump out and put away w/ 2 kids, esp if the newborn doesn't have a seat(where would he be while you pump?) Next to impossible.
How old is the older DC? Is it possible to have a pull up on? I only say that b/c the last time I flew they didn't let anyone up the whole flight due to turbulence and DD had been regressing on pt, so luckily I had a pull up on her. I can't imagine if you have to tell a 2 year old they can't pee for 2.5 hours.
GL!
I have not traveled with DD and DS, but I did go across country with DS. I found the bathroom changer to be great. It folded down over the toilet. You could fit a another child in there if need be, but depending on the time and your child a steward would probably help you out. I found people to be very helpful. Lots of moms and dads traveling for work more than willing to lend a hand. I took a carrier for DS, so I could easily get on and off the plane with my bags, the same could be used to take a toddler to the bathroom. I think DD would love to use the airplane bath, since it is scaled more for her.
I think it would be very rude to change a diaper in your seat. It is just too close. BF is fine anytime IMO. I would not purchase a seat for the baby. I just don't find it all that hard to hold the baby and deal with DD. I do it all the time at home, and like I said, people were VERY helpful.