Couple of airplane questions

We will be flying soon with the twins and I have a couple of questions for those that have done it. They will both be lap babies, but we do plan to take their carseats and check them with our baggage. I will be gate checking the stroller. Has anyone done this and had success? If so, what did you cover them in? Also, did anyone have trouble with the babies ears popping? I never thought about it, but someone asked me what I was going to do during take off to help with their ears...??? I think that's it. Mostly just wondering about checking a carseat. Thanks!

 

If they have paci's or a bottle let them suck on those for take off and landing. Otherwise try to give them some food to eat during take off and landing so they will be swallowing to help with ears popping. Also, you could surprise them with a toy on the plane to distract them in case you need to. The mini magna doodles are great.
As for the gate checking/plane side checking, that usually that works out great. When my babies were 4 mos old I took them on a plane and checked their carseats (infant ones) and they never made it on the plane...which really screwed me for when we got to where we were going and had NO carseats. We had to borrow some from the rental car places and they were the massive boosters that were FILTHY (and my babies had just gotten out of the nicu the month before so I was a germ freak!). So plans side would def assure the seats would get on more than at the front check in counter!!

 

I would gate check the carseats along with the stroller. The baggage handlers are NOT careful with carseats. I have checked seats before and one came back with the plastic shell cracked. It had to be replaced. By gate checking them, you are also certain to have them once you arrive at your destination.
As for the ears, they just need something to suck on. I just took Audrey (5 months) on a plane last week and nursed her during take off and landing. A pacifer will work, or a bottle. You could bring two small bottles of juice or sugar water and put slow flow nippes on them. That would keep them sucking vigorously and hopefully avoid painful ears!
Good luck and have a great trip!

 

We covered our carseats with a ton of bubblewrap, covered in duct tape, then covered in trash bags, covered in more duct tape. The girls were 23 months when they first flew and we took suckers for their ears popping.

 

We bought car seat travel bags and they have been worth every penny spent on them!! We always check the car seats with the baggage but gate check the stroller so we can push them around.

Bring plenty to eat and drink to keep them busy. New toys, new snacks, anything that you think they might like.

If their bottles/sippies have anything other than formula/breastmilk in them through security, you might get pulled aside to have the liquid check. It happened to us, and I have seen it happen to others. I usually dump it right before security and then buy more when through security.

As Jen said, have them drink on takeoff and landing.

Have fun!!

 

Great advice! I agree with all of it!! :good:

Enjoy your trip!

 

Exactly the same here. Check the carseats with the bags and gate check the stroller. Here are the bags we bought to check the carseats. Bottles or sippys should be good for the ears. Take formula or breastmilk or buy juice on the other side of security. Have fun!

 

We flew for the first time (with the kids) just last month. The twins are 4.5 years old and Olivia is 18 months old. I had no problems with their ears. I gave the twins each a piece of gum during take off and landing and I let Olivia have her paci the entire place ride (it was only 2 hours). We did gate check our single stroller. I didn't cover it in anything. All I did was fold it up and put a bungee cord around it so it didn't get as beat up. It was fine on both trips. They even had it unfolded and ready to put Livi in as soon as we got off the plane.

We didn't take car seats, so I'm no help there!

GOOD LUCK!