Any tips on a short flight with 1 and a half year old and 3 year 8 month year old ??

[tvqueeen]

Sorry to be so lame and specific about ages, it probably doesn't matter, but older DD will be 4 in Jan. Little DD is 18 months.

I have a flight coming up ( very short flight ).

Any tips ? Everyone is saying I shouldn't brave it alone with them, but I think I will manage somehow.

Has anyone else done this ?

I'm thinking about taking absolutely minimal hand luggage, plus a buggy that goes in the overhead compartment and a baby carrier for 18 month old in case I need it when I've collapsed the buggy, ready to go on the flight.

I'm also thinking of a buggy board for older DD, I have just ordered one ( so I need to see how big it is ).

The flight is less than an hour. Older DD gets a seat and little DD will be ok my lap.

Anything advice ?

Pack a rucksack rather than a suitcase. Will give you more hands free . Baby carrier like an ergo for the 18 month old . Try to travel light. You only need a tablet and snacks for the kids on the plane. I would accept that the buggy will be taken from you at the gate and be returned on the luggage carousel. You will cope

Lots of snacks and fun things to play with to keep them quiet during the flight.

If you aren't open to "don't do it" then my tips are:
Buy an extra seat (so you have 3 not 2)
Take lots of snacks in case of delays
Ipad ot similar

Oh and twice as many nappies as you think you'll need.

Oh and with you saying your 18month old is heavy in the carrier, are you front carrying or back carrying? Past 10kg or so I struggled with DS on my front other than for short carries. I'd always carrying him on my back. You can also wear the backpack on your front or back.

I don't know how to back carry but I've been trying to learn, using YouTube videos. That would make it all so much easier. We need to practice.

It's a bit of an issue to buy a regular seat for an infant on this airline. I tried before and wasn't easy to do. But I agree that having 3 seats would be easier in a way. Although I can't imagine 18 month old just sitting there..

I remember it being daunting the first few times but it's incredibly freeing once you get the hang of it. I could get DS onto my back within 20-30 seconds once I'd practiced and it meant the weight was distributed correctly onto my legs rather than pulling on my back with the front carry.

It's a skill for both of you to learn though, cause DS definitely knows the moves to get on my back and where to hold as I shuffle him round.

@Curiosity101 it must be a real game changer. I need to practice !

Under an hour - a doddle! Just have snacks ready and fill water bottles up once you are through security.

I used to do 10 hrs long haul with mine alone, that was ok too, I'm still thankful for all the lovely ladies who cuddled and read to my kids over those early years, I was never short of volunteers plus aged 3&5 they got a trip to the flight deck (during layover, they were banned in flight) sat on pilots knee etc and copilot came back to the plane with McDonald's happy meals for them (no food service on board) this though was a 7 hour us domestic flight in 2 legs

You're right. It really shouldn't be that difficult. But a lot of people have told me not to do it !

If you don't mind sharing which airports people might be able to give specific tips. My experience was the flight is the easy bit, its the airport.

I trained mine to hold each others hands whenever I was doing something. Elder DD was trained to go through barriers and stop, then grab younger DD. (They were 2 &4 when we started)

Oh they don't just sit in it (hollow chuckle) but the extra space is useful and you don't have to worry about them making a grab for the laptop/drink/hair of the person next to you and when they insist on not sitting on you there is somewhere for them to go. I used to put myself in the middle sit with baby and older child in the aisle seat.

i think you've let other people wind you up about something which is a total non issue.Don't overthink it.

You'll be fine because you won't be walking much and sometimes the kids can both walk. Yes I've used the carrier when my dd was 18m, always found it easier than the buggy when there might be stairs, escalators etc.

I did it with my 2 exactly same ages. My suggestions would be feed them at the airport, have spare snacks and drinks. And have some new toys you can produce. My ; hour flight turned into 7 hours due to a medical emergency and we all coped.

4 hour flight turned into 7 hours

Can I suggest that you keep an extra bag (like a drawstring bag) empty in you hand luggage so that if the DC shed their extra layers you can chuck them all into the bag and then only have one (larger) thing to keep track of. Separate hats/jumpers etc are easy to drop when you are trying to watch little ones,

I’m not sure you’ll be able to take a buggy on board. There’s are size limits for hand luggage and a buggy will surely be over those. I’d check with the airline first.

iPad and snacks! Get a bumbag for passports/boarding pass

They don’t always tell you this or freely hand the toys out but many big airlines will have a secret stash of toys, although you have to ask. They have chocolate too, & not just for the kids.

You’ll be OK, just don’t overpack with changes of clothing & too many snacks for a 1 hour flight.

You can take the little ones. I have taken it a few times.

I've done it and it was fine. A light rucksack for hand luggage and I had a stroller that folded up really small and went in the overhead locker (I think it was a quinnny zapp). A huge bag of popcorn kept them happy as a snack. We even sat next to the grumpyist man and it was fine.