Travel Advise Needed

Hi again, I can't seem to put another post up, so I am writing here on the edit feature. :) I just thought of something else.

If you have a double stroller that has it where it is front and back seating versus the side by side, you can get this really neat attachment to the back of it called a baby boogy board that attaches to the back of the stroller. There was a recall but they have now provided free kits to repair and I am sure that there are new ones on the market now that are safe since the recall.
http://babyparenting.about.com/b/a/110049.htm

That way you can have the baby and one 2 yr old in the seats and one of the tots riding behind while dad handles the bags.

Good luck! :)

that is the hardest thing about traveling with little ones, the airport. I honestly did not know how I did it with my 2 and my husband by my side. He made everything so much better when we did those things.

The best thing to tell you is to get a huge stroller. Something that can transport all of your kids in the airport. I have not been stroller shopping in ages but maybe there is a stroller built for 3? Check to see too if the toddlers are old enough to sit with a lap belt, I know that helped tons with us and our oldest. If you can't make sure your car seats are approved for the air plane too. That is a must or you will be made to check them in with luggage. From what I was told, but I would just double check and rules could have changed but I was told that kids in car seats had to sit by the window in case of an emergency. That way the seat is not blocking a person from getting out.

If you are flying when terrorist threats are low, I believe you can get curb side check in. That could help you out a whole lot too. That way your husband could just handle transporting the car seats to your terminal while you handle the kids in the stroller.

Good luck

there is a very cool gadget out that attaches to your car seats and lets you pull them on wheels. You can purchase it at the Right Start store (there is one in Plano at Spring Creek and Preston) they also have an online store. It's called the gogo Kidz Universal Travelmate Car Seat Attachment

http://www.rightstart.com/global/store/category~dept~car+...

Here is the link to the page. It makes getting through the airport very easy. You just put you child in the car seat and pull him around like you would a piece of luggage (very valuable luggage). The only problem is, you have to take it off when you get on the plane because it doesn't fit down the isle. We thought it was great all the same. Go check it out.

My kids are 3, 5 & 7 which is just a little different than your situation. We did take my 3 yr-olds carseat with us on the plane. When you get to the gate talk to the person at the counter and let them know that you have 3 small children and that 2 of them will be riding in carseats( you might want to mention that when you check in and get your tickets) a lot of airports will let you board first to help accomodate the situation. We only had one carseat to carry so it wasnt too bad. Good Luck.

Have you considered just strapping the baby to the front of you in a carrier? It would leave your hands free and maybe he would sleep, being so close to you... I've seen other parents do it and it seems to work out well for them.

You might just want to leave the car seats at home and just request the car rental place for car seats. It may cost a little more though. It is just really hard to carry everything in the airport. Especially when going through the security gates.

Make sure and check the stroller and car seats at the gate---not at the terminal check in. So you can keep the kids in the stroller as long as you can. And, when you get off the plane, it will be waiting for you right at the gate when you disembark. I don't think they will let you take on the car seats for the twins onto the plane. I know they can't sit in them next to a window and not on an aisle. That only leaves the middle seat--do you have two middle seats reserved? Just be prepared for a big mess!! No matter how much you prepare, something will always happen. I'm not trying to sound pessimistic--that's just travelling with small children. Try to laugh about everything! good luck and have a great time.

If you don't mind arriving early and moving slowly, you might want to try buying each of your almost 3 year olds a child's rolling suitcase. They can then carry all their own plane activities (that is what I have always done - they love the independence, and it is really quite helpful). Also, buy a luggage carrier, and maybe an extra bungi cord to go with it. I have put both car seats on the carrier (one is upside down). Since your husband will be with you, one of you could push the stroller and hold a hand, the other could push the luggage carrier, and hold a hand. It really works quite well, until of course you have to take it all apart for security! But it really does go back together easily. I have done this myself with my (then) 3 year old and 8 month old - it works and keeps everything together. As they get older, they become such wonderful, independent travellers. Also, it really helps to have an extra adult to keep an eye on things... because moving all that stuff into one airport bathroom stall takes a degree in engineering!

Enjoy, don't stress. The key is to get there very early, so those little legs can move at a comfortable pace.

Oh, don't forget to go up to the desk and tell them you would like to board early with your 2.5 year old twins and your infant (do not ask if it is O.K. - just let them know). If you do not board early you will have a very difficult time navigating your family of travellers and their treasures, through the aisles. You also have a better chance of avoiding any of your children getting knocked by someone else's baggage.

Have a super trip! It really will be fun!

S.

I noticed Lorie mentioned placement of the car seat in the plane. We just traveled in January and had placed our car/plane seat in the middle and they made us move it to the window seat saying it was an FAA requirement. The reasoning was that it was easier to grab the child and get out in case of emergency. They didn't want anyone having to climb over the seat. You may want to check that.

Dear R.,
I have travelled several times with my 15 month old overseas and domestic since he was 8 weeks old alone. I believe we did 4 overseas flights and two domestic. My experience is that every airline is different and even every flight depending on the staff. My question to you is, how are you going to carry two big car seats and three children around the airport ? My advise would be to check the car seats with the airline and not take them on board, especially because you have another baby with you and I am sure you have carry on luggage such as diaper bag and essentials. Not every airline assists and is helpful if needed. I had some horrible experience with some and good with others. One time I asked for assistance in advance and several times during the flight to ensure somebody would help me. I was promised help, but once I got off the airplane they just refused. I was told that as long as I am not in a wheel chair they don't assist. Especially they don't assist with babys. I had a car seat with a baby in one hand and my carry on in the other hand. It almost ended in a disaster, but it's a long story. If I were you I would call the airline also to see what their rules and regulations are. Which airline are you flying ?