Flying with 1 year old twins. Advice needed!

Cheryl - posted on 05/13/2011

Try to stay calm...it will help them do the same! :)
We composed a whole chapter on this very subject in Twinspiration...OOOH! There's a live link to it here: http://www.christian-mommies.com/ages/ba...

Hope it helps!!!! (If things DO get rough, just remember, much like labor, each passing minute brings you than much closer to where you want to be with your twins!)

Alda - posted on 05/13/2011

We flew with our girls (11 hour flight) when they were 7 months old, and as they weren't able to sit up by themselves yet, they slept the whole way in the basinettes on the plane. We sat in the middle row (5 seats, 4 oxygen masks), so had to have the seat in the middle of the row unoccupied (the only open seat on the whole plane lol). They are now 2.5 and I wouldn't dream of taking them on a flight. It's not worth the hassle - for them, myself or the other passengers. I had to do the trip again last month and left the girls at home with daddy. I fully agree with what some have said - take your buggy and your car seats. You check in the buggy when you board, then we used baby carriers (the ones that go around your chest) 'till we could get the buggy on the carousel the other end. It's a hassle with the car seats but so worth it in the end. We used them in the car, wrapped them in bubble wrap outside the airport etc. Good luck and hope all goes well :-)

Bryony - posted on 05/13/2011

We did a long haul trip with our twins when they were 13 months. I was terrified! BUT, I was pleasantly surprised. We took off just before their normal bed time and because of the constnt drone of the plane they slep for the entire 9.5 hour leg of the flight and then napped again on the 2 internal flight. Definately take the stroller with you as you need it for all the bottles and bags. Very importantly, make sure that there is an empty seat between you and your partner as you need somewhere to put the babies down while you eat your meal or if you need to go to the toilet. The extra seat also helps as the babies will make themselves comfortable on your lap but that does not mean you or your neighbor will be comfortable. Good luck and happy flying.

Nirjari - posted on 05/12/2011

I am travelling with my 9 month old twin boys in a week and just wanted to know, were you able to take baby food (home made) for them or do they not allow it? Also water in their baby bottles for milk? Also I know this sounds stupid but does their diaper bag count as my hand luggage? sorry I am so nervous and luckily my dad is travelling with us from Toronto to London.

Amanda - posted on 05/02/2011

took 4mnth twins on 4 hr flight that became 3 day nightmare (thank-u athens), then took them 12 mnths on 2 flts total 15 hr. Advice... where possible, use night flts to co-incide with semi sleep pattern - 1 babe may nod off! Long haul request inf cots (u will end up holding them or laying on floor, but space is premium), Take car seats, ask to use on plane if seats available. If considering antehistimine, try before u fly... can work to opposite!

Rita - posted on 04/30/2011

that's right! Karen mentioned for the parents to separate on different rows because of oxygen masks.. There is like 4 masks to 3 seats. So sit across the isle or in front of your hubby.

Karen - posted on 04/30/2011

We have traveled a few times with our twin boys (now 21/2 years old). Take toys, blankets, bottles/sippies (they let these through security), snacks. Definitely bring your stroller to check-in at the gate for free. Also, if you are renting a car, I would consider lugging your carseats as well since renting carseats can be expensive ($10/day per carseat) and you can check them for free. You will not be able to easily enforce a nap, but they usually dim the lights on the plane so if they are used to falling asleep on you, it might work. Finally, we encountered this the first time we traveled via plane: even if you tell the airline you are traveling with two infants and they book your seats, please remember that most or all planes only have one extra oxygen mask per row so that you will not be able to sit in a single row. This may be different on the bigger lanes used for overseas travel, but I would double check. Good luck. You will be tired. Also, if they start fussing, people will understand if they see that you are giving your best effort to keep all calm. Enjoy your trip!

Sybille - posted on 04/29/2011

we travelled with our two boys 8MM for a 12 h flight w 3 h break. We could bring all food and drinks for them through sec - no prob!
During the flight we tried to stay with our normal routine. worked fine! We brought some toys and got a seat with a infant bed... you could make a reservation for a mother and child row. Stroller will def help you. Enjoy! Try to relax. The more you are relaxed the more will the kids be.

Rita - posted on 04/26/2011

travel with stroller, they check it in at the door of the plane. take bottle (not sure on ounces due to airlines regulation of liquids) or anything they can suckle.. they need to have it in the mouth on take off and landing for ear pressure to release.
take any quiet toy for them to hold and bite. blanket/lovey worked for mine. of course for that long, take food. bring small padded blanket. might be changing them in odd places if not the floor by the restrooms.
if you have a smart phone download baby books to read on it or download a movie that will keep them distracted.

Karina - posted on 04/23/2011

I'll be traveling with 6 mnth old girls and a 4 yr old boy next week (wish me luck). The pediatrician also suggested tylenol since they are both teething. If its an evening flight, try to wear them out during the day. Avoid snacks and drinks with sugar right before the fight and definetly take a stroller! After flying multiple times with my son my biggest lesson was not to care what the other passengers think. It will stress you out which will only stress the little ones out too. Its never easy flying with kids... Good luck!

Ianina - posted on 04/23/2011

I will be flying with mines in November. 17 hour trip, 2 planes, one of 14 hours...they are going to be 6 months old
We are going to take the car seats (is a long flight). Anyone travelled with the baby carriers/regular car seats?

Samantha - posted on 04/23/2011

one more thing- i gave them some tylonal about 10 minutes before we got on the plane (doctors suggestion) to help with ears for altitude changes. he said as a plus it should help them sleep- apparently my kids didn't get that memo..

Samantha - posted on 04/23/2011

i havent traveled with my twins yet- set to do so with all four (under 3) in 2 weeks. however i did travel last year but my self my son was 15 months and my daughter was 3 months. it was not easy- i took a stroller it helped me a lot - was a pain to go through security and try to open it with to babies in hand- but people were really nice and helped out. i took lots of snacks and drinks (have them drink durning take off and landings) oh, btw i don't know if they use sippy cups with the straws- but don't use them on the plane the pressure makes it come up right through the straw! that was not fun. And last but not least i took a few toys and the dvd player $70 for the portable- i popped in a few cartoon movies and they sat and stared- a feel bad they watched tv for so long but made it so much easier for all of us! Good luck!

Amy - posted on 04/23/2011

I feel your pain. I am living abroad and want so badly to bring my twins to visit my family back home this summer but am terrified to do so! My flight time would be 8 hours total with a total trip time of 15 hours and I would be doing it by myself! So I think I am going to wait. I know that doesn't help you but I understand how you feel :)