Traveling Oversees with One Year-old Twin Girls

You need a Go Go Kidz Travelmate. You can put the carseat on and wheel it behind you or you can even strap the girls in.

Hi F., where in Colombia are you going? I am from Barranquilla, Colombia. I went there in December of 2006 for Christmas with my husband and 2 kids. My oldest at the time was 4 and my youngest was almost 1 1/2. I didn't use car seats, I wouldn't recommend that. A stroller could help you between flights. My youngest one slept through both flights, so I didn't have problems with him. I suggest taking a few toys, and the wonder color things from Crayola are a great idea. Also don't forget the snacks!

Hi, F.!

My husband and I took our son overseas, to Taiwan, when he was one. I won't lie, traveling like that can be stressful, but I found if you are well prepared you can ease a little pain.

I took as large a backpack as I could manage on the flight filled with books and toys - opt out of the noise makers. Even if your kids are sitting quietly, playing with something that makes sounds, a passenger will lose it after hearing Elmo laugh for the twenty-fifth time! I loaded up with snacks and a dvd player. I also included about 6 toys that I wrapped - just little dollar store stuff - that he could unwrap at crisis times on the flight. For the most part, that got us through it.

Someone had recommended to us that we give him a little benadryl to get him to sleep easier on the plane, but I tried it once and it was such an ordeal that I found it easier to deal with my sober son, not the drugged version.

Another thing I did was bring bribes for my fellow passengers. I had a couple little bags of candy that I periodically offered to people who looked irritated. I also made a point of loudly reminding my son of "what we talked about earlier" and then reviewed how to ride on a plane. It seemed to establish that I'm doing the best I can and people were more lenient.

Just be prepared, something will always go wrong: they'll wind up right about the time that everyone else is settling in for a snooze, they'll kick the backs of chairs, sing along to the dvd, throw a temper tantrum over who gets to sit next to Mommy. On our trip home a gentleman found his seat was behind us and asked to be moved before giving us a chance to make him want to move! You just have to stay calm and give yourself LOTS of time. My personal feeling is that when your trapped on a plane with a toddler, all bets are off: more snacks? okay! a third dvd? pop it in! 17 juice boxes? whatever!

The only thing I can tell you about carrying all the baggage is this: the cart is your friend, pack as lightly as you can for yourself and your husband - do laundry while you're there, tip the porter well, loosen the belts and sling the carseat over your arm or shoulder, and sometimes it's worth it to just buy some things when you get there or ship a box with diapers, cereal, etc. ahead of time - no, not cost effective, but it helps prevent having more stuff than arms available!

I wish you luck, creativity, and patience! :o)

- A.

You definitely want to have your stroller for in the airport and they will generally let you check that at that gate, so get a carry on with a long strap that you can loop on the back of the stroller. And for the car seats, you can loosen up the straps so that it will slip on you shoulder like a backpack. I carried two around, one on each shoulder and it is not that bad. Good luck. Don't forget even if you don't take your seats on the flight to take them and check them, because you will need them when you get to your destination

I only had one son, he was 10 months, but walking and very active. I have flown with with alot since then, 1 overseas flight, and several long flights (5+). the gift wrapping idea is great! I always bought a new toy that wasn't brought out until times of crisis as said above. Also, a new book or that color wonder paper & markers is great for when they have to sit on your lap during take off and descent. I don't think I would bring the carseats. It was just easier for me to hold him and then let him have the space to crawl around in. BRING SANITIZER!!! they do NOT sanitize ANYTHING!! including the tray tables!! wash often, my son loved the hourly trips to the bathroom and we took our time washing our hands, playing in the water (just a lil!) and checking out the mirror. if they aren't using markers yet, they make a color wonder finger paint, but it's a lil greasy so make sure you wash after they play with it. Also, Elmer's makes a paintbrush that does that same thing. go to your crayola isle in wal-mart! Good luck!

Hey F.! I have no idea what you would do. I am a mother of twin one year old girls also and have feared traveling! I was thinking that maybe you could buy one of those little folding carts to use for the seats when you are between flights. Also, friends of mine used a backpack-baby carrier when they went to CA with their daughter. It was great for them; it was a hiking carrier and had storage for personal items as well. I wish I had more information to help! Have a great trip!!!

hi I have only one but we went to Bolivia when she was 2 and I came back by my self with her.

If you and your husban will go together, You may only need one more seat, because probably they will end up on your lap, and one seat they will fit,(check how is the plane so you can have a hole row if is 4 seat you will be confi)and you can walk with them too dont take a car seat, they will not be seat on the car seat...and then you will have more things to carry...
I will recomend you take a stroller, when you came back the walking is long and you have to carry all your bags,
take food for them some snaks...something they really like it
take some toys so they can play, a dvd is good if they like that, extra cloths...
pam

Hi F.,

I don't know who told you that you had to buy a seat for each child because it's an international flight, however I don't think that information is accurate. My husband and I have taken our two children to Tanzania on three separate occasions (twice with one under two) and we did not need to buy a seat for them until they turned two years old. We did need to pay a certain amount for each child (the taxes, perhaps?), but not full price for a seat. The airline provided a fold-up bassinet for the child to sleep in, too! Perhaps the particular airline you're looking at has a different rule, however. As for whether you want to have the carseat along... we chose not to because it would have been too cumbersome, we weren't going to be traveling in cars much, and it wouldn't have been usable once we got to Tanzania anyway (no seatbelts in cars generally). You should check with people who know the area where you are going to find out whether a carseat is adviseable and/or usable.

As for travel with little ones outside the US or Europe, yes, I've done that. I'll be glad to answer any specific questions you have. Good luck with everything. A.

F., while I dont have suggestions for entertaining the girls during the trip for the car seat on the airplane issue I have a suggestion - go go baby car seat trolley - attachment. It attaches to your car seat and adds wheels to the car seat to make it a stroller for moving in/around airports. That way all you have to do is lift the car seat into the airplane seat. Now this is my suggestion if you already have 2 car seats and dont want to have to purchase new ones. If you are open to buying new seats check out the Sit n Stroll car seat/stroller combo. Hope this helps a little. I would suggest checking out this website www.travelingwithkids.com for some great ideas and support.

May want to invest in a portable DVD player for the trip - it will make all the difference.

there is a product. I think it is called gobabyz that converts your car seat into a stroller- wheels and a pull bar. We just got it and loved it a pain to put on the first time but worth it. I got mine at babiesrus. Take the carseats. Get them their own seats if you can. They will be more comfortable and contained and you will be less stressed! It is a pain getting baby seats on a plane but worth it. Also my son went airborne the only time he was a lap baby because of bad turbulence - not worth it !!! Best of luck. PS have your baby meds just on case (benadryl, Tylenol) with you in case of a bad ear infection at 30000 feet...

F.,
I traveled with my daughter to Hawaii just before she turned 1 yr old. It was not so bad...we did carry her car seat for 2 reasons - she needed one in the car when we arrived and it was nice for her to have a place to sit safely during the flight. We placed the car seat backyards so she faced us. She ate, played, and napped in the car seat. My husband straped the car seat to a rolling carry-on bag so it was easier to manuever through the airport. We carried a few toys/books for her to play with, lots of snacks, and a sippy cup for her to use (I brought some juice in the sippy and got more from the attendants). She did really well with the travel and we only had to get up and walk around the plane a few times during the whole trip. I let her have her sippy cup while taxiing and take-off so that her ears would pop and not hurt. We took her stroller with us (the airline will take it at the gate and bring it back to you when you arrive). Hope this info helps with your trip...have fun!!!! D. H

HI there,
I can say that I traveled with twins but I did travel with my baby 38 times before she was 2.The smaller she was the easier it was but the times I did get the extra seat and used the car seat it was totally worth having. There will be times that you want to hold them and times that your arms and back need a break. Every airport I have been at has the little carts that you can use if its hard to carry the seats between flights. Most airlines will also help you get to the next flight with these golf cart type things if you ask for the assistance. In your case I think its defiantly something they would do.

Now I have 4 daughters and just flew with them (alone this time) and it was interesting. I really wish I had ponied up the money for the seat so my 18 mo old could have a place of her own and I could give more attention to my other kids.
Good luck flying the friendly skies.

Dear F.,

I saw this product a couple of months ago and remembered it when I saw your question. It's by AmSafe Aviation and it's approved by the FAA. It's light, portable and I wished they had had them when I was travelling with young children! (Mine are 12 and 13 now.) The link to the site is http://www.kidsflysafe.com/about.php They're somewhat expensive - approx. $70 each, but it's definitely worth it not having to lug two car seats through the airport and then maybe not even being allowed to use them! Good luck! D. B.

I have traveled quite a bit with my now 19 month old son and have never taken his car seat on the plane with me. We just flew from Atlanta to Seattle last week (a 5 hour flight) and I was very glad that I didn't have it for a couple of reasons. First, I know that he would have been kicking the chair in front of him, if he was sitting in his car seat. This may not be a problem for your girls, but my son is tall for his age. Also, there was no way that I could have hauled his car seat around the airport with us (like you mentioned above). I have found that my son does best being able to move some during the flight.

Also, my sister just got back from Japan last week with her 10 month old and said that the car seat would have been a complete pain because they used mass transit the whole time. I have never been to Columbia and don't know what kind of transportation you will be using, but this is just another thing to keep in mind.

Overall, I wish you luck on your trip!! I am sure that the girls will do great!!!

I traveled across the country with a 6-month old and then with him again when he was almost 2 to the Carribean. When we went to the Carribean we had a car seat in the rental car when we arrived - that was SOO much easier than trying to drag his car seat on the plane and through the airport, etc. And you would have TWO of them! Also I don't know how that would work in the plane seat anyway. I suggest just letting them sit/lay in their seats with lots of pillows and blankets (provided by the airline :) -Most likely they will be in your lap anyway! and rent some car seats at your destination. Have a great trip :)

How ling is yur flight and do you have to change planes? That will make a difference in their car seats. Have you talked with the airlines? They are able to answer the questions you have. I don't envy you nor the people traveling with you! My first thought was to take a BIG btl of sleeping pills. One for every one on the plane within hearing distance of the two girls. I know people are very irate when a child is unhappy flying and then that little boy was asked to get off who was just saying "good-bye" to everything! How can we expect babies to behave when we are so spoiled! Life has struggles no matter what. I wish you the best of luch with your trip and would be wanting to hear about it. I believe if you call the airlines they can put you at rest with suggestions and what you need to do. It may require that the girls be in a seat! Nice to know before you get to the airport! They not allow animals to ride up in the coach area but crated so twins should not be so bad even tho they are just little ones. Both you and your husband are used to handling them and know what to do with them so it should be fine! It this a pleasure trip or maybe going to see relative? If it is a pleasure trip, I might put it off a couple of years of by then you and honey Dad might need a vacation alone but if it is a Grandma trip you better not come and not bring those babies!!! I know, I'm a grandma! Lot of love to you and wishing yu the best! You're so blessed to have healthy twin girls!!!

I would suggest buying travel bags fot the car seats. They sell them at Babirs R Us and they can be worn on your shoulders like a back pack.

I always take my son's car seat with us when we travel. It is quite heavy, but I found a nifty way to transport it and him as well! I got a good collapsible luggage cart (you know, the kind that folds shut) and strapped his car seat to it. Then I strapped him in, and presto, it's like a little stroller. I take them apart to go through security. I think it makes him feel more comfortable on the plane, too, because he's in his own seat, which is familiar.

hey F.,

i would definitely take your car seats on the plane if the girls have their own seats. even though they might be a little combersome to get around the airport. i found that traveling with my now 2 year old before he was 2, was much easier when i had his car seat. if he didn't have it, he would just fight to get down, but when he was in it he was great because he was used to riding in it in the car.

i would contact the airlines and ask if they have any way of assisting you during flight changes since you will have 2 children and 2 car seats. they usually have those little golf cart things driving around assisting elderly people, maybe they could help you. good luck and have fun!!

J.

I have two year old twin girls, and we're also planning our first long plane ride this summer.
I think the best option for seats & travel are the seats you can buy that double as a stroller (they're called "Car Seat Strollers"). They have wheels that pop out of the bottom & a handle that comes out of the top, and they function as a regular car/plane seat as well. I know you can buy them from the "One Step Ahead" magazine or online at onestepahead.com. We plan to try to find a couple used ones on EBay or Craigslist.
Hope this helps! Good luck with your travels & congratulations on your twins turning One!
It gets so much easier!
Blessings,
S.

Is the "buying seats due to international flight" restriction a policy of the specific airline you're flying? I know a number of people who have flown internationally and overseas with under two-year-olds on their laps. Anyway -with twins I would advise getting them their own seats for your sanity. Whenever we've flown with our 2 year old son, we put his car seat in his seat -strap it in -and place him in it just as we would in the car. He's comfortable and it's familiar to him and it works great! It's also the safest way for your small child to fly. We held him in our laps one time as an infant, but have flown 3 times with him in his carseat -it's FAR more comfortable! Check out One Step Ahead -catalog or website -for great ways to transport carseats through airports. THAT is NOT fun! They ave carts and straps for putting them on your back, etc. Have fun!

Hi F.,

As a flight attendant for close to 20 years, I have observed many ways parents deal with toddlers and babies followed by the experience of traveling with my own. Having two parents makes all the difference in the world. I would definitely recommend using car seats. Although it is a lot to handle, from a saftey aspect, it is an absolute necessity. Any flight attendant with proper training will tell you there is NO safe way of securing a small child in an airplane seat without one. The easiest way to handle it all is to purchase what is called and "Sit and Stroll' stroller. It is a car seat with wheels that extend out of the base to convert into a stroller. I will forewarn you they are not cheap but they are well worth every cent. Not only does this make managing the flight and airport easier, it provides you with a child restraint for use in vehicles while you are in Colombia. If you feel they are too expensive, you can often find deals on Craig's List, ebay, consignment sales etc, but be sure to check all the things you normally would when buying a car seat such as manufacture date etc. Good luck!

What I have found that works very well is to wear them in the airports. Each of you have a baby sling/carrier and be able to strap them on as soon as you exit the plan. This will leave your hands free to carry your stuff/u will have alot I am sure and you won't have to push a stroller, if you want to take one , you could check it as luggage. Also, I don't know how you feel about drugging your children to make them sleep, but I (hope this doesn't sound bad...I swear I am a good mother) gave mine dramamine (for motion sickness) at the start of the flight and they slept for 4 hours...perfect and made the plane ride smoother for everyone. It was better for them as well, they were not stressed or anxious and didn't get mad because they couldn't move around alot. Hope this helps. Also keep in mind if they sleep on the plane, you don't need to take nearly as much on the plane as you would if they were awake. Good luck!!
J.