Flying with 3 under 3 and alone

[Soomers]

Hi guys I’m flying out soon with 3 girls under 3
6 month old
2 year old
3 year old
8 hour flight

Any tips/tricks or words of encouragement much appreciated

Have any of them flown before? What is their behaviour like normally? I think you'll need a sling for the 6 month old.

What is the 2 year old like? When I flew with 2.4 yo DS last year he hated wearing the seatbelt and kept wriggling out of it - it was very dangerous, he was basically dangling by his neck at one point as he was so small I couldn't get it tight enough to stop him wriggling as they're lapbelts, so in the end I had to turn and restrain him for all 20 mins of take off and landing by holding him by the hips. I think if this happens to you you will need help from others to hold your baby - maybe the flight attendants?

Notify your airline that you are single-handedly travelling with 3 under 3 BEFORE you fly, when you arrive at the departure gate and again when you actually board the plane. Any good airline will be willing to help you as much as they can.
Aim to choose an aisle seat near the front of the plane or if the aircraft has a bulkhead seat (usually long haul) try and book one if possible. A bulkhead(B)seat is a row without any seats in front. This will allow you to have plenty of space and will give you the mobility to get up and walk around if you need to, plus you can board and leave the plane much easier. You won’t be able to book the seats next to the emergency exit when you travel with an infant.
Some parents do prefer to sit near the bathrooms at the back, but noise levels can be higher towards the rear of the plane, this might be useful depending on how your baby responds to noise, take this into consideration.
Hopefully you'll be able to get a bassinet. They're usually on a first come first served basis.
I'd advise taking a stroller, a sling, toddler reins and a back pack. When walking through the airport, try to get your 2and 3 yo DC to do as much walking and running about as possible to tire them out.
There's a soft play area at each terminal at Heathrow. I know there are soft play areas at Gatwick too, but I'm not sure about other airports.
Several airlines have pre-order baby food. You can also pre- order baby supplies from Boots at UK airports meaning you can pick up food pouches, milk, nappies, etc after UK security.
An antihistamine for toddlers available from Boots contains Chlorphenamine, which has a sedative effect. Benedryl's kids range does not have the magic ingredient! If you don't want to go down this route, consider some baby sleep balm. Warm milk also has a soporific effect so ask the cabin crew to heat some milk for each of the dc. Board according to your family- if you know it’s best to get on and settled, then opt to priority board. If your kids are real livewires then let them run around and don’t board until the last minute, so they’ll be tired enough to sit still during the flight.
If you're wanting the DC to sleep, take earplugs and eye masks.
if you want to go to the toilet, ask a crew member to sit with your children until you return.
Don't pull out all your tricks at once. Too many times I see parents pull out the snacks and have a movie playing while we're still boarding. Flying for most kids is exciting. Let them just take it all in for a while. Save the snacks and tablet time for when they've actually gotten bored with the experience."
Take lollies for the older two to such during take off and descent. Get LO to such your finger, a bottle or a dummy.
Half an hour before descent, get everyone ready. Pack bags, go to the toilet, find lost socks, so that you’re ready to get off the plane as soon as you land.

lots of . Seriously hats off to you. I flew solo with my twins at 14 months and 2.5 and that was hard enough! How are you planning on getting on and off plane. Sling and buggy? If so try and make sure they will bring to plane doors when you get off - they sent ours to the luggage hall so I was left trying to get non walking twins, carry on and car seat there - luckily a couple took pity on me!
I actually found when I flew when they were 2.5 it wasn't too bad (and that was a really long flight to Australia). The plane motion made them sleep for a lot of the flight and the rest of the time they greatly enjoyed unlimited screen time. I found being by the toilets handiest as could leave one in seat then and watch them if other had to go. Sticker books great for other entertainment. I bought mine their own headphones as the plane ones might not fit them. They also enjoyed having own bag if stuff - I'd recommend soft bag as trunkis are a pain to carry when they get bored of it (impossible with 3!).
Re rice Krispie's antihistamine tip do note that they make some kids hyper so definitely try before if you plan to do this! Personally we found the motion was enough.
Good luck!

Wow post on such sites but I am always reading when I need help first of thank you so much for your reply’s and they are all so helpful
Yes the 2 and 3 yr old have flown before but not sure if they remember it
It’s an 8 hour flight
So yes I will be wearing a baby carrier
The 3 yr old is usually welll behaves and listen the 2 on henother hand is very wild eager heavier type she’s my
Only worry lol
Thank you again

If a child, toddler or baby has their own ticket and seat, they will have a standard adult passenger luggage allowance which you can use for lots of equipment. Use one of your DC's hand-luggage allowances for a changing bag which you can sling over the pushchair handles. Pack a change of clothes for each DC in a zip lock bag.

All your carry-on baggage must go through the X-ray machine, including pushchairs (which must be collapsed) and any other big luggage you have with you. This means you will need to take your baby out of their pushchair, even if they are asleep. If you need somewhere to put your 6mo at this stage, use one of the plastic security trays on the floor. Go through security first before your older two DC. Get them to watch other people go through while you're queueing.

I'd say the biggest thing is I not take unnecessary stuff on board with you. Really pare down your carry-on so it's manageable. That's honestly been my biggest hassles travelling with small children. Often you have a long walk in the airport, security gate hell etc.

Wear slip on shoes and out crocs or similar on the kids so you don't have to faff about if they inevitably make you take your shoes off.

Teach the 2yo and 3yo to watch TV with headphones on - and buy them proper children's ones that are soft and comfortable.

I know I just said pare down the luggage, but we bought one of these for our latest long haul trip and it made it so much better having the baby on my lap: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00C3O88PA/ref=ascdff_B00C3O88PA52839269/?tag=googshopuk-21&creative=22110&creativeASIN=B00C3O88PA&linkCode=df0&hvadid=218125876022&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13656405504853028554&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006871&hvtargid=pla-475250041167&th=1&psc=1

DC was 10m and it worked very well. His legs hung off it but it supported his head and back laying across the arm rest.

Ask people around you, including the cabin crew, for help. Crew have always been happy to hold the baby for me while I sort out luggage, other DCs or go to the loo. I've often come back to find a bunch of them all cooing delightedly over the baby in the galley.

Gah! The typos. Sorry.

No actual baby advice but please watch your valuables like a hawk at security. Loads goes missing every year and you will be an obvious target for someone to take your stuff off the conveyor whilst distracted.

When considering what to take that will keep them occupied, look for things that can be stored in the pouch on the back of the seat in front. You can put some things in there before you store your luggage in the overhead lockers to save you from getting up all the time!
I like fuzzy felt, make-a-scene reusable stickers, Galt Toys magnetic shapes, Melissa and Doug reusable sticker book, Janod magneticbooks, Magnetic Creations playsets, Wikistix www.amazon.co.uk/Brainbox-Wikki-Stix-Rainbow-Games/dp/B00O2TGG6W/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_21_lp_t_3?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforum-21&refRID=PJDXXJ1TEYPRR59WRPCP
And this Aquadraw Travel Bag www.argos.co.uk/product/3491843