Traveling with Twins: Flying Tips with Infants and Toddlers

I put entire outfits including hairbows, socks etc into large ziplock bags so when i got there i had an outfit for every day already packaged up and there was no searching around, this worked really really good. (idea and picture from http://kimmccrary.blogspot.com)

As bulky as it was I brought Jordyn’s nebulizer on the trip, and thank goodness i did because her breathing became labored and she developed her asthmatic cough and we had to nebulize her a few times. I also packed had first aid kit just in case.Parking
We parked our car at the airport and the logistics of parking and putting the luggage,stroller etc on the parking bus and then riding to airport was a negative. So the hubster dropped off me and the girls in the stroller with the luggage. At the curbside we weighed our bags and took out until we hit 50 pounds (yes i did overpack lol). We did this so i wouldn’t have to worry about that when I was inside at the counter. Then we had a bag guy bring in the luggage and place it at the front of the line while i pushed the girls in the stroller. i checked in while hubby parked and he came back just in time to go through security worked perfect!Airline Policies
Always always print out the airline policies from the airline website. When i purchased the tickets they told me that for international flights children under two still pay 10% of an adult ticket, but the trade off is they each got a checked bag. We ended up with three bags and when i got to the counter the lady told me that the babies do not get bags and i would have to pay for the third bag. I explained what they said to no avail, finally i got my phone out and went to the website and showed her the policy online. We overnighted in Miami and i was able to print out the policies that night, again the next day the guy at the counter in miami told me the same thing and i was able to immediately pull out my paperwork stating he was wrong. So don’t assume airline workers know all airline policies.

Getting around the airport:
Backpacks

I found that diaper bags are horrible for travelling! All that pressure on one shoulder plus carrying the baby is a recipe for disaster. Hubby and I each had a backpack, with lots of pockets and sections. My backpack had diaper changing supplies since i take the girls to the bathroom before and after flights for changing. I also had extra clothes for the girls and for hubby and I in case someone spit up or pooped all over us. Hubby’s backpack had the ipad and we both had a section with toys and a section with bottles and snacks. We also had blankets for the girls which was great cause the plane got very cold.Stroller and carrying babies:
American Airlines does not allow double strollers over 20 pounds to be gate checked so we used the girls infant seats and double snap and go. I highly recommend any mom of multiples to get the double snap and go it is so perfect when they are in infant car seats. it worked great.

Some options for the kiddos can no longer be carried or fit in their infant carriers i think i will.
1) use this to attach them to their car seats.
2) backpacks and 2 single strollers and just check the car seats.

3) use buggy cord to attach car seats to rolling carts.

In the airport:

we let the girls walk around and explore, yes the floor is dirty that’s why I bring wet ones antibacterial wipes and wipe them off when they are done. They liked exploring a new place and they burned off energy before having to be couped up on the plane. I think that was essential.

Eating out:
These diner mats are great for eating out and roll up well. i have two but one is plenty big for both girls i just put them on the table, and cut up whatever we are eating put on the mat and let the girls have at it.

On the plane:

Activites: quiet time book, melissa and doug caterpillar, small plush toys were all hits. As well as the ipad with their games and fav mickey mouse club tv show. my ipad has a child case on it so they can hold it bang it bit it or spill on it. i scored that at target and it is reallly great. it even attaches to the car and they can play their games r watch a movie on the ipad. I attached it to the tv tray on the plane or just let them hold it. when the girls were sleeping i was able to use the ipad and read my book on kindle. it was perfect

I also had kids headphones for the girls and a splitter so they could both listen to the ipad but actually i found that the girls didn’t even need sound to be mesmorized by the ipad so we never used them. good to have though
   

Feeding:

We feed the girls bottles during take offs and landings, to help give them relief for their ears popping. They never acted fussy in anyway so i guess it worked.

I brought food pouches which are soooo great no messing with with bowls and spoons, the girls can hold them and suck out the food and no clean up 🙂 also good was baby yogurt that does not need refridgeration. really good for travel

Off the plane

When we got off the plane we grabbed the stroller and car seats and put the girls in so they would be in their car seat when we got outside to the car. Hubby got the bags and I pushed the girls in the stroller.

Breaking up flights

We had a long day of flying as we were going to Barbados we decided that going there we would overnight in Miami. I think that worked out really really good. The girls got a break before the 4 hour flight to Barbados and we got to fix anything that may not have worked on the short flight. For example I was able to print out the baggage policy. Added bonus we got to hang out with friends and let them meet the girls as well 🙂
Coming back to Texas from Barbados we didn’t break up the flights and I could see the girls were a little antsy by the end of the long day of flying, didn’t help that we got back around midnight so their schedule was all messed up