Going on vaction

Taking the boys to the Bahamas for a few days next month and I'm wondering what things i will need to bring. The flight is only 2 hours but its the first time I'll be flying with them. Any suggestions for flying w/ two 9 month olds?

 

Valium

I would try to see what you can purchase at a grocery store in the Bahamas (not at the hotel) and then go shopping for stuff once you get there instead of trying to drag diapers, wipes, etc. with you. Pack enough for 24 hours and purchase the rest.

 

For the flight, as many bottles as you will need (I don't know if you are breast or formula feeding, but you can take bottles of formula through security), snacks (for distraction), a few toys, a change of clothes (invariably on the plane at least one baby will either spit up all over themselves or have a diaper leak & need to be changed :lol: ). If you are travelling with another adult, I find it easiest to pack two small diaper bags instead of one. That way, on the plane & in the airport, each adult has everything they need to take care of their baby. Two hours is pretty short, I'm sure you won't have any problems.

 

We do a lot of traveling with our two because our family is scattered across the country... I am not sure how many more times you plan on flying with your two while they are in car seats, but we LOVE our Go Go Kidz . They are these things that attach to just about any convertible car seat so you can wheel the babies through the airport in their seats. These work awesome for us so that we can check the stroller with the luggage and then gate check the car seats. I know they pop up on Craigslist fairly often....
Babies in their Go GO Kidz

I agree with what others said concerning snacks and bottles. We always find it easiest to travel with the ready to feed disposable bottles, so you don't have to worry about mixing formula or keeping it cold. Since it's only a two hour flight, you don't need to be super concerned about diaper changing, but we always have a grab bag to take to the restroom in the airplane. It's just a gallon bag in each of our diaper bags that holds a diaper, extra onesie/pants, wipes, changing pad, and a shirt for one of us. The changing area in the airplane is TIGHT (and in most planes only the restroom in the front of the plane has a changing table) so if you can, I would hold off changing mid flight. Changing a baby on a toilet lid in a rocking plane is not fun for either of you...

Ours never have problem with take off or descent, but a lot of people suggest feeding/giving a paci during those times to help babies' ears.

The best piece of advice I can give is to give yourself plenty of extra time to get through security (and do anything really)! We made the mistake of not following that rule the first flight with babies... And almost missed our flight! By the time we made it through and took care of changing diapers before the flight, we were on last boarding call! Through security you will make you pull the babies out of the stroller or car seat and carry them through (and they will either wand or put the stroller/car seat through the scanner, depending on its size). We always keep our bottles in a gallon Ziploc inside the bags so that we can pull them out easily (and in one batch) for security to check them. Family line in security always seems to have more patient security personnel, but be prepared... the line is sloooow. It's definitely not like flying solo!

Check with your airline regarding baby items that can be checked for free (ie strollers, pack n plays, etc). Each one varies regarding how much they allow for free.

Best of luck to you!! Enjoy the trip!! And remember to have a sense of humor, because things won't go exactly as you expect them to!

 

Great post! Great tips from nmnguyen7!

We are also thinking about going to Dominican Republic sometime in April and I have chills just thinking about packing ;-)

I have found some great websites during my research and just wanted to share!

Travel Mamas - Great packing lists and travel tips

Travel Baby - Baby travel tips and tools

TOTEaTOT - This is similar, but cheaper option for tagging kids along. Using your own rolling carry-on luggage and your child's own car seat, the TOTEaTOT connects them with just two strong, durable straps and two tough snaps in just seconds.

Have and Baby Will Travel - Also has great packing lists and tips.

 

Wow, you are one brave twin mommy!! I don't have any suggestions really. I assume you are going to stay a touristy area that should have several stores? Four years ago DH and I went to the Bahamian island of Eleuthera for our honeymoon, which is NOT touristy at all, and we LOVED it!!! But they only had 1 mom and pops convenient store and 1 smallish grocery store, with not much selection (and of course the prices were high for just everyday items like bread). So hopefully where you are staying will have any baby essentials that you may forget. We rented a beach front 2 BR bungalo on the Caribbean side of Eleuthera for a week and it was only $150 a night. Our hotel stay in Miami on the trip down was $150 for one night! Anyway, you probably won't get the chance this trip, but some time if you ever get to go back to the Bahamas and want a nice quiet, affordable trip where you can rent a car and explore, I highly recommend Eleuthera!

 

Thanks for the great suggestions!