Travelling alone with 2 toddlers and a baby

[cfh2287]

I'm flying from Stanstead later this week with my 3 children aged 8 months, 2 and 3. Any and all tips gratefully received! With all the news about how bad things are at airports how far in advance should I arrive at the airport? I'm not checking anything in and have booked meet n greet car parking. I don't want to get there so early I've got hours where I have to contain the kids before we get on the plane but then don't wanna be stressed and running through the airport trying to make the flight!

We flew out of Stansted on Sunday. Arrived at 5am for an 8am flight. It was heaving ! Had to queue for 15 mins just to get to the drop off point. Car parks very busy. Security was very very busy but moving - took about 20 minutes to get through. There was a 25 minute delay if bag had to be searched. Make sure you have just one bag with liquids it - it must be sealed. Power pack must go in hand luggage. Remove coats/belts in the queue. People in front of us had bottles of water, 4 bags of liquids, coats and belts still on! Good luck !

Oh god! That has made me extremely nervous. I hoped that the current reports were a media frenzy getting exaggerated but it seems not..

Sorry to be all doom and gloom ! I almost didn't post but with 3 small children (brave of you !) you need all the help you can get. It was very well organised though so if you can keep children amused should be ok.

Eek good luck. How are you travelling with 3 kids and no bags? The baby must need hand luggage at least for nappies? I'm not sure how you will logistically manage with one pair of hands at security/passport control unless they are in a triple buggy?

I travelled recently alone with a baby and a toddler.

Do you have reliable walkers or a buggy that seats all of them? A sling for the baby if as you may not get the buggy back at the other side until baggage reclaim, not all airports bring them back to the gate for you. Don’t underestimate how long walks are in the airports with small legs.

I put my toilet trained toddler in a nappy for the journey as I wasn’t able to ensure we would make it to the toilet in time if they needed to go. We ended up in lots of long queues so this was a god send when they did need a wee when we were waiting in a customs queue.

If you aren’t checking in any luggage, how much hand luggage do you have? Will you manage all of it whilst wrangling a buggy? I ended up carrying toddlers bag, as well as my own, as well as pushing the buggy. Completely underestimated how hard it was!

I bought a passport document holder which went round my neck so I could keep them accessible at all times. I put my phone in there too so it wasn’t scrambling in pockets for it.

Good luck!

You need iPads, colouring pencils, paper, stickers and chargers.

We've traveled with my kids and I took the above plus a few hot wheels cars.

What airline are you with? If you phone easyJet and explain the situation they might well give you special assistance, which cuts the queuing right down and will help you a lot

We paid for fast track security at Stansted. Don't know how much it was but definitely worth every penny for speed and peace of mind.
www.stanstedairport.com/at-the-airport/security-fasttrack/

Blimey. Sling for the baby, double buggy. Who are you flying with, at which point would you get the buggy back? Could be a long old trek for a 2yo from plane to reclaim.

Will you need to think about car seats at destination?

Thank you everyone! I'm travelling to visit my mum in France, she has car seats, toys, towels etc there and as it wil be hot I'm packing light. I am bringing a hand luggage sized suitcase which will go in the overhead lockers so I don't need to check it in. Then I will also have a rucksack with nappies/things I'll need on the plane. The 3 year old walks everywhere anyway and then I will have the other two in a double buggy with a sling for the baby as back up. I don't have an Ipad! The flight is 1h45 minutes so not too worried about that (famous last words!). I'm much more nervous about queueing in the airport and the travel chaos I keep reading about on the news!.

Oh and I'm flying with Ryanair. I think they are unlikely to provide special assistance, isn't that for people with disabilities?

Just went to book fast track through security and the website says they have no products available for my date and time. Eeek! Is there no 'family' queue for security at Stanstead?

Does your case fit under the buggy? You will have to push the case with one hand and the buggy with the other. It’s not easy!

Go early. When you’re through security etc find a corner or area where the little ones can play or run around a bit. Buy sticker books, bring snacks!
and take every bit of help offered, itherbpassengers ( in my experience of travelling with a bay and toddler) will offer to help hold bags, fold or carry buggies, get your case down, even keep an eye on the toddlers while you do the inevitable changing a pooey nappy on the plane!

Will the airline let you fly alone with 3 small children? Are they maximum 2 per adult?

Yes I would check this out!
Also, make sure you pre-book your seats!

I thought you could only have one infant and one other child (if age 2-5).

A small bag under your chair will be better, how will you supervise two children and a baby while you’re looking through the overhead locker. Make sure you go for a wee, you really can’t fit you, a baby and two toddlers in a plane toilet!

Oh my god what!!! I'm not allowed to fly with the 3 of them? It allowed me to make the booking though. I can't see anything on the RyanAir website that says I'm not allowed but I will call them.

Best of luck

You will be fine

Lots of snacks for flights and colouring books too?
Backpacks

Liquids in the front of your bag for easy access at security

And a large glass of wine when you arrive !!!! ❤️

help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360017825078-Travelling-with-Infants

It says that under 2's are one per adult. So you wouldn't be able to take two under 2 with you. Give them a call and see what they suggest.

I don't think there is
Not seen one

@plixy I only have one under 2 as the others are aged 2 and 3 so think it will be fine. Phew!

The rule for 1 under 2yrs per adult is to do with seats as they have to sit on your lap so you can only have 1. Once they have their own seat at 2+ they don’t restrict how many.

If you leave lots of time you can always chill close to the boarding gate?

I fly every week and at 6am the airport is probably at its busiest (dub to stansted)

Are you sure you can take the buggy to the gate?
I would take a rucksack instead of a case in case you need your hands. Also get a couple of wrist straps for the 2 and 3 yr old.