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How did you handle having to fly on your own with them and luggage? If you had to connect to another flight, what did you do while you waited?
Answer
I've been flying with my three children for 10 years, since each was 4 months old. They are close in age, just over two years apart and we fly between Europe and California about twice a year, plus other flights.
Don't count on getting help from the airlines. As a Flight Attendant, I often tried to get help for parents, especially on their own, with multiple children and the request was always refused. It can't hurt to ask because I hear some airlines are better about this than others (including both of my employers). Also, for your departure city, find out if you can bring someone with you on a "gate pass". This means that one adult will be allowed to accompany you to the gate, including going through security. I have never been able to do this but again, asking can't hurt!
Absolutely, without a doubt, you need a *good* baby carrier. By definition, this should go to age 2 or 3. Fiddly front packs like the Bjorn wont cut it. I made sure the carrier could be used for both my younger two children. I used a ring sling but a wrap, pouch or front/back carrier like an Ergo or Becco can be used if your younger one can hold his head up.
I only took one stroller and one car seat. I always had a seat for each child. I would have gone crazy if I had had a child on my lap for so long. Also, as an ex-Flight Attendant, I knew this was safer. Air travel itself is safe so that's why babies are allowed in laps but for a few flights, I was pregnant so there wasn't really much of a lap anyway!
Bring more diapers than you think you'll need, about 1/3 more than your children usually use. Put in a plastic bag (about 10 in a bunch) and bind with rubber bands. This saves space in your carry-on.
Don't bring a purse. Take a tiny bag with essentials that goes around your neck (so you can throw it on while folding, opening the stroller, etc. Then instead of a diaper bag, take a backpack (or a diaper bag designed like back pack). You can actually take two if you can't get everything in one, a diaper bag that goes on the stroller and the back pack. I have a largish one. If placed on the floor, it goes up to my knee but doesn't have wheels. I sometimes had to take two, like when I flew with three in diapers once.
To check-in, I everything, including the carry-on's, stroller, car seat and luggage on the cart and pushed it with the older one(s) walking and the youngest in the baby carrier. Try to get some help at your departure airport, even if that person wont be issued a gate-pass. Once I "get rid" of the bags by checking them, then I'm okay. Remember to NOT check in any car seats as luggage. Gate-checking is better if you can't use your seat(s) on board. I also would arrange at least one or two car seats at my destination.
Arriving, I did the same. The baby went in the baby carrier and the older one either walked or sat in the stroller. Once we were at baggage claim, I would make the children wait well away from the bags to avoid injury. Often, my children would find some playmates at this point. If your older one especially finds a friend, ask the parents to keep an eye on him/them for you while you get your bags.
Don't be in a huge hurry and don't wait up front. Stay with your children and when you see a bag, then go up to the belt. Often, someone would help me. Sometimes I could see the bags coming out and then I'd know if I had to run up and get one.
Yes, you can be more liberal about accepting help inside the "secure" area of the airport. Once you're out of customs, this is a public area so be more on guard. After security at your departure point is when it starts. The only people you will meet are other passengers and employees and quite frankly, they couldn't go far with your kids anyway, even if they had evil intentions!
I actually found that we never really sat around between flights. By the time I got off the plane, got through immigration and sometimes customs, found my connecting gate, etc. even a 3 hour layover dissapated. They always want to stop and look at something, have to have a diaper change, etc. There are some children's play areas at some airports and we have done that but often they're too far away to be of much use. If you are a member of a frequent flyer club, you probably can bring your children to the lounge to wait but some are very quiet and child un-friendly.
Sometimes it just works better to find a restaurant and sit and rest. Look up your connection city's airport on the net and find out if there are any children's play areas, where they are and any restaurants, like McDonald's, which might have one too.
For more information, nine years ago I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with children. It goes more into detail on packing and transporting car seats. It's totally non-commercial and other parents from around the world have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com
Good luck! I survived and so will you!!
I've been flying with my three children for 10 years, since each was 4 months old. They are close in age, just over two years apart and we fly between Europe and California about twice a year, plus other flights.
Don't count on getting help from the airlines. As a Flight Attendant, I often tried to get help for parents, especially on their own, with multiple children and the request was always refused. It can't hurt to ask because I hear some airlines are better about this than others (including both of my employers). Also, for your departure city, find out if you can bring someone with you on a "gate pass". This means that one adult will be allowed to accompany you to the gate, including going through security. I have never been able to do this but again, asking can't hurt!
Absolutely, without a doubt, you need a *good* baby carrier. By definition, this should go to age 2 or 3. Fiddly front packs like the Bjorn wont cut it. I made sure the carrier could be used for both my younger two children. I used a ring sling but a wrap, pouch or front/back carrier like an Ergo or Becco can be used if your younger one can hold his head up.
I only took one stroller and one car seat. I always had a seat for each child. I would have gone crazy if I had had a child on my lap for so long. Also, as an ex-Flight Attendant, I knew this was safer. Air travel itself is safe so that's why babies are allowed in laps but for a few flights, I was pregnant so there wasn't really much of a lap anyway!
Bring more diapers than you think you'll need, about 1/3 more than your children usually use. Put in a plastic bag (about 10 in a bunch) and bind with rubber bands. This saves space in your carry-on.
Don't bring a purse. Take a tiny bag with essentials that goes around your neck (so you can throw it on while folding, opening the stroller, etc. Then instead of a diaper bag, take a backpack (or a diaper bag designed like back pack). You can actually take two if you can't get everything in one, a diaper bag that goes on the stroller and the back pack. I have a largish one. If placed on the floor, it goes up to my knee but doesn't have wheels. I sometimes had to take two, like when I flew with three in diapers once.
To check-in, I everything, including the carry-on's, stroller, car seat and luggage on the cart and pushed it with the older one(s) walking and the youngest in the baby carrier. Try to get some help at your departure airport, even if that person wont be issued a gate-pass. Once I "get rid" of the bags by checking them, then I'm okay. Remember to NOT check in any car seats as luggage. Gate-checking is better if you can't use your seat(s) on board. I also would arrange at least one or two car seats at my destination.
Arriving, I did the same. The baby went in the baby carrier and the older one either walked or sat in the stroller. Once we were at baggage claim, I would make the children wait well away from the bags to avoid injury. Often, my children would find some playmates at this point. If your older one especially finds a friend, ask the parents to keep an eye on him/them for you while you get your bags.
Don't be in a huge hurry and don't wait up front. Stay with your children and when you see a bag, then go up to the belt. Often, someone would help me. Sometimes I could see the bags coming out and then I'd know if I had to run up and get one.
Yes, you can be more liberal about accepting help inside the "secure" area of the airport. Once you're out of customs, this is a public area so be more on guard. After security at your departure point is when it starts. The only people you will meet are other passengers and employees and quite frankly, they couldn't go far with your kids anyway, even if they had evil intentions!
I actually found that we never really sat around between flights. By the time I got off the plane, got through immigration and sometimes customs, found my connecting gate, etc. even a 3 hour layover dissapated. They always want to stop and look at something, have to have a diaper change, etc. There are some children's play areas at some airports and we have done that but often they're too far away to be of much use. If you are a member of a frequent flyer club, you probably can bring your children to the lounge to wait but some are very quiet and child un-friendly.
Sometimes it just works better to find a restaurant and sit and rest. Look up your connection city's airport on the net and find out if there are any children's play areas, where they are and any restaurants, like McDonald's, which might have one too.
For more information, nine years ago I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with children. It goes more into detail on packing and transporting car seats. It's totally non-commercial and other parents from around the world have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com
Good luck! I survived and so will you!!
Are there any baby carriers that can be worn either front or backpack?
Sunny
My hubby and I are expecting our first baby and we wanted a baby carrier that can be worn in the front or the back. When I read about Baby Bjorns, it says "front or rear facing" but I'm thinking that means the baby can face inward or outward... are there any that can be worn in the front or back?
Answer
Wraps are the most versatile - you can carry baby on your front, back, or hip, and in different positions. If you'd prefer a structured carrier, the Ergo can go front or back.
There's a good selection and info. here - http://peppermint.com/index.html
Wraps are the most versatile - you can carry baby on your front, back, or hip, and in different positions. If you'd prefer a structured carrier, the Ergo can go front or back.
There's a good selection and info. here - http://peppermint.com/index.html
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