Travelling with 2 Kids

Ask for the bulkhead seats--there is more room to stretch out and the kids can stand with out bothering others.

not sure if you mean today... but here are some tips.. not so much for kid entertainment - but mom comfort.

GO to the Bathroom just Before you board the plane.. you go and change all diapers even if just barely wet.

have an empty sippy cups/bottle to put whatever you get to the kids to drink. the plane cups are just too hard to manage. in fact,. wouldn't hurt to have a spill proof one for yourself even if it's just a plain water bottle. (after the check in process.)

I'm going to assume you did not purchase an extra seat,. however if you did.. the carseat can be cumbersome and in the way more than helpful. Use a Bjorn bag or sling so when baby is asleep you have free hands to help your 2 1/2 yr old & to go the the bathroom if it's a long flight. you know how well your little one will sleep however.

Don't be concerned or shy about asking for what you need,. it's better than being frustrated. & along with that.. be prepared for some people to be less than happy with the children around.. have patience with them but don't worry about THEM. often you'll find lots of people who will be very outstanding and friendly too :)

I always pack an extra lightweight t-shirt for myself. I have a friend who is a flight attendant and she said kids often throw-up on the mom and they don't usually have one ;)

and.. pack enough diapers for double the length of your trip and then a couple more. (don't forget wipes/and kleenex & napkins) you never know when you might have an unforseen delay. also formula for the little one if you don't nurse. I also put just about everything into it's own ziploc bag.. so when you are digging around in your bag..everything has a home and don't get mixed to and fro while trying to lean under the seats.
- I also use a bag which folds out to itself so during the flight i can 'undo' all my well packed stuff and not worry about getting everything just like so ALL the time during the flight..a groc sak would work too.. which I also bring one for each leg as a garbage bag.

Think of your trip as an outing for fun instead of being stressed.. hard I know because we get all worked up packing. sorry this list became long..as I went alond I started to remember all my tricks..
hope you have a great trip..!! best of luck.
-margaret.

p.s. don't forget you need to put anything liquid in a ziploc type bag to put on the conveyor. i believe it has to be > 3 oz.. check the flight info. this is when i use all the samples and little travel things you get for free.
send me a note if you need any more info.

Arrive really early so you can ask to be reassinged to the bulkhead (the front row of economy seating where the wall separates you from first class). That way there is room where they can stand up or sit down on the floor and play.

It's still Monday, just barely, and I notice that your question is dated Jan 13, Tues. It's 11:20 pm. If you don't get very many responses you can look in the (I don't know what it's called) for past answers to that question.

But then again maybe it's next tues and not this tues that you're traveling.

Later:
I have not read all your responses. I have something to addd You can carry larger bottles of liquids for babies if they're in a zip lock type bag and you show them to the security people. These bottles have to be separate from your carry on bags. i.e. in plastic and totally visible without searcing thru a bag.

The best way to find out what you can do about security regulations is to Google or call the airline.

I've also found info that was easier to understand by Googling something like Airline Securiy Laws.

if you nurse, I'm sure someone has told you to make sure to nurse during take off and landing, to keep the baby's ears "popped" ... I'm sure a bottle or a binky would also work

2-1/2 ... I'm not into electronics much, but a My First Leappad sure did save us on a cross-country flight when #1 was about that age. People near us irritated by the noise? Probably not (we kept it pretty low), but they surely would have been a lot more in any case with the fussy toddler ;)!! She was also pretty excited by the whole food and drink serving situation, plus you've got a bathroom trip/diapers to manage (oy) ... bring a couple of her favorite foods, just in case (and pick up a drink after security). Planes can be less boring for kids than we adults realize, especially if we set them up some expectations of "cool!!" things ;).

I just traveled to Chicago in Oct. with a 4 year old and a 20 month old. I went to the dollar store and picked up lots of little books and toys. Sticker books are good for the older one. Crayons and coloring books. Lots and lots of snacks! I also bought little lollypops so the kids wouldn't have to worry about yawning to pop their ears. Worked out great. Best wishes! Hopefully your little one will sleep the whole way.

Bring some compact toys/activities for short attention spans. My 2 yr old loves little stickers, magna-doodle (no losing of crayons!), song games & lots of interaction & reassurance.
I've worn my infant in a front carrier so my hands were free to help my other kids, but on the airlines we flew on, they did require that I take the infant out & hold him in my arms for take off & landing. The rest of the time he hung out in the carrier & even slept most of the way.
Of course be aware of the restrictions on liquids/gels you can take (hand sanitizer, water for bottles, juice for kids). I try to just bring sanitizing wipes & an empty sippy to fill with the plane's beverages. I think sucking on a sippy helps the ears a little with the change in pressure.
Make it a fun time for your children and DON'T feel bad if they get fussy. Us moms will die if we try to make our kids behave perfectly especially while traveling. Its about having an adventure as a family--not worrying about what strangers think. Be strong & laugh!

I have traveled in a car with my kids at those ages, so I have no experience on a plane, but my advice would be to take lots of snacks, make sure to have suckers or if you trust your oldest with gum-gum. As for the entertainment part, go to a dollar store or Target and buy some little activity books or a puzzle or something small so it's easy for them to carry in their bag. I always make sure my son has a bag to carry with him so he can keep his own stuff.

Otherwise, make sure to have the usual diapers, wipes, and make sure to make the little ones drink plenty of water as atmosphere change can take a worse toll on little ones than on us.

Best wishes and have a safe flight.

Kim B.

Your 5 month old will probably sleep the whole way. I would encourage you to take your car seat for the 2 1/2 year old as I am sure you bought her a seat. Take lots of fun snacks and maybe a special treat or two like a sucker. Stickers, paper, crayons, and maybe a few small new toys will work too. We are taking our daughter next week on a 6 1/2 hour nonstop flight and I plan on buying one of the little bags of farm animals. I saw them at target for about 5.00. Also, if you have a portable dvd player take that.
Try and check as much as you can because you get so loaded down with stuff on the plane that it is cumbersome.
Take a change of clothes for each of you. I learned that the hard way after my daughter got sick after we got off the plane and before we got our luggage. Plenty of wipes and plenty of diapers.
Have fun. Our first trip was when daughter was 18 months old and the flight was 6 1/2 hours nonstop and she did great.

I second the carrier. I love my Moby wrap. My son or daughter when younger, was able to sit in the wrap, or sleep in the wrap in a cradled position. It was very versatile. A DVD player is a good idea for a 2 1/2 yr old, also.

One thing I did: go to the dollar store and get a bunch of junk toys (if they get lost on the airline, you are out a buck). Place a few toys in a small zipper bag. When she is done playing with one bag of toys, close it up and pull out another. I think I had 4-5 bags of toys with about 3 toys in each. It was great. My daughter didn't get bored (they were all new to her) and it was a peaceful trip for all.

If you are nursing, make sure you nurse on take-offs and landings, otherwise, a pacifier or bottle will do the trick.

But, I highly recommend the Moby wrap. Not only is it very versatile in how you can wrap up your youngest, but it is comfortable for you, too.

You can't go through security with the wrap or any other carrying device on your person, so wait until right after to put your daughter into the wrap. It was easier to get baby and toddler on with the cargo this way too. You only have to really watch one child, then.

Enjoy your trip.
D.

We are in your same situation in April. My daughter has flown a couple of times and she's 21 months. I am going to bring her snacks and this time a dvd player. Also make sure shes very tired before we get on the plane. The last time she flew to Chicago she slept almost the whole time there. Just make sure they are both busywith something. I too have a 7,3, and my baby girl. I wish you luck and peace and quite. Just remember your not the only one in this situation if they act up.Also if you nurse that is a great way to keep them from acting up.
Good Luck,
L. H.