Flying Alone with Two Kids (2 months and 15.5 months)

Okay...this Christmas it's looking like I will be flying with Reagan and Liam alone.


I have:

Britax Boulevard for Reagan with the GoGoKids Travelmate wheel attachment

Graco SafeSeat infant carrier and stroller frame


And then of course I need to carry my diaper bag stocked for 8 hours of flying and a layover for two kids. And I will be flying with my Maclaren Twin Techno stroller (which I guess I would check when I got to airport, it has a carrying case with wheels).


Is this even possible??


We will have three seats and will be taking both car seats on the plane, but I'm not sure how I am supposed to carry a barely 2 month old, 15.5 month old, two car seats, stroller frame, diaper bag, and oh by the way, I will be 8 weeks postpartum from a c section.

I figure for in the between the planes (we change planes once) I can put the diaper bag in the stroller frame, snap on the SS1, and push that while pulling Reagan in her Boulevard. Someone will be helping me with my checked Maclaren and checked suitcases on each end, so that's not an issue. I just don't see how I am going to get on and off the planes with both kids and both car seats??


Any advice would be appreciaited.

Also, if there are any Boulevard install tricks for an airplane (it's a Boeing 767), that would be great. I had a little trouble installing it last time because I couldn't fit the seat buckle under the LATCH bars.

AmandaR said:

I figure for in the between the planes (we change planes once) I can put the diaper bag in the stroller frame, snap on the SS1, and push that while pulling Reagan in her Boulevard. Someone will be helping me with my checked Maclaren and checked suitcases on each end, so that's not an issue. I just don't see how I am going to get on and off the planes with both kids and both car seats??

Click to expand...

thats basicly what i would suggest.
i might add that if you have a sling or front carrier you might want that for the baby because when you go through security you have to put everything, including the car seat through the xray.

now, in my experiences some times they have had me take my DD out of the carrier and just hold her in my arms when going through the actual walk through xray but other times i was able to just carry her as is.

it gives you a set of free hands either way.

sometimes the TSA's are very helpful at the security line other times they arent. Now they have family lines so that if you need more time or are traveling with kids you arent holding up all the business folk just trying to get to their plane

i know theres a trick for using britax seats on planes but i cant remember it exactly off hand so i'll let someone else answer that part.
im curious too because i'll be flying with my daughters MA in october!

Are you installing the Blvd RF? It's very easy that way, just use the holes in the cover and the buckle will be right under the legs but my kids never complained. If you're installing it FF - recline the plane seat and flip the buckle 180 degrees so it doesn't lift open into the carseat. Don't tighten it all the way, when you pull the plane seat back to upright it will be tight.

I think your other plans sound good. I'll second the sling for the baby, when I use my hotsling they didn't always make me take the baby out for security.

Good luck! You're braver than I am, I am only flying with both kids by myself for the first time in a couple of weeks and their 1.5yo & 3.5yo.
Ann

The BLVD will be RFing, yes. Last time I couldn't get the seat buckle to fit under the LATCH clips. Granted I was trying with a screaming 5 month old and a plane about to take off. Maybe it would have fit.

Thanks!

When you get to the airport, tell them you need help. They are usually happy to arrange it. (It's even better to call before hand.) If necessary play the "post surgery" card. They'd rather help you than have you hold things up trying to do it all yourself, in my experience. You'll find that if you ask politely, or even just if they see you rather overwhelmed, they can do many things to help you (I've been escorted around the security line to the handicapped access area so I could take my time getting the kids and their assorted gear through security without worrying about missing my flight or holding up the line; thank heavens for that woman, who told me she had kids herself, and her kindness! I've had them call up a porter to help carry my things. I've had a passing pilot kindly take the time to help me with my things and walk me to baggage claim, even though I know he was exhausted and on his way home! They really are usually very friendly people if you do your best to be prepared and friendly yourself. )

That does sound scary but I think you have the right plan. I agree that a sling or carrier would be best. It also might be easier to push the empty stroller with one hand and wear the baby since you will have one hand on the gogo kids.

I would also pack any coats with the luggage, you won't need them and it will be 3 less things to worry about on the planes.