freaking out about upcoming flight with baby and toddler alone
Nov 14, 2017, 8:41 am
#16
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
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Posts: 9,539
Go the stroller route. I used a car set in a backpack carrier and a messanger style bag for diapers, etc. The 2 yo can carry a little backpack with toys and snacks. Hook the extra carseat on the stroller and push the 10mo. I'm a single mom and travel alone all the time. I also HATE screen time but allow the little to play with an old iphone that has an app called Volt (it makes the phone vibrate and shows bright colors) and look at pictures. Get a set of headphones for the 2yo and allow the screen time on the plane. I have my daughter convince that her iphone only works on trips so it helps limit the screen time and make it special.
Nov 29, 2017, 8:22 pm
#17
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Join Date: Sep 2003
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I’m not quite sure what you're saying in the first sentence.
Jan 23, 2018, 8:55 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA PLT PRO, AGR, Strawberry (Nordic Choice), Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 4,248
Sending lots of sympathy. We have only one child so not experienced in this situation but I did do a transatlantic flight on my own with a screaming overtired toddler for five hours
But I do wonder whether two car seats is overkill. Older toddler could go in a CARES harness which will mean you won't need a second car seat. If it's not cost prohibitive for you and you nonetheless need a car seat for the toddler at destination look into using the ImmiGO which folds up very small (size of a largeish doctor's bag) and can be carried on and put in an overhead bin if necessary. ImmiGO costs $200 or so. And only fits into cars which have LATCH or isofix connectors.
But I do wonder whether two car seats is overkill. Older toddler could go in a CARES harness which will mean you won't need a second car seat. If it's not cost prohibitive for you and you nonetheless need a car seat for the toddler at destination look into using the ImmiGO which folds up very small (size of a largeish doctor's bag) and can be carried on and put in an overhead bin if necessary. ImmiGO costs $200 or so. And only fits into cars which have LATCH or isofix connectors.
Jan 24, 2018, 10:27 am
#19
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Salut. I agree with you. As long as they are belted into something they are comfortable on the airplande
Jul 19, 2018, 11:13 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Maryland
Programs: AAdvantage, Starwood
Posts: 51
update
My suggestion:
Skip the luggage cart. It's one extra piece of gear you have to carry and stash away. It requires two hands to manipulate. Instead, use a stroller. You can dump it at the end of the jetway, and it's super easy to open and close.
Get two Cosco Sceneras. They nest together. You can wrap a bungie around them to keep them together. They're lightweight and easy to install.
You can use the tether strap to hang the Sceneras from the handle of the stroller. Put the big kid in the stroller.
Wear the little kid in a carrier on your front. You'll even be able to keep the little in the carrier through security. Wear a backpack on your back.
When you get to security, stroller goes on the belt first, then backpack, then car seats. (The Sceneras fit through the x-ray tunnel. You may need to un-bungie them and send them through one at a time.) Your big kid will go through the metal detector first, then you, with the little one strapped in the carrier. Take the stroller off the belt first, put the big kid in it immediately. Retrieve your backpack, then get the car seats and re-hang them on the stroller. Backpack can hang on the stroller, too, if it's easier (and not too heavy).
When you get to the gate, get a gate check tag for the stroller (and possibly one of the car seats, if there is no seat available) from the gate agent at the counter. Ask if families with small kids can pre-board.
When boarding, keep the big kid in the stroller down the jetway, if you'd like. Then they jump out, take Sceneras off the handle, collapse the stroller, leave for the ground crew. Big kid walks ahead with strict instructions to keep walking forward until you say Red Light. Hold the Sceneras up high above the seats (maybe on/over your head). This is the hard part. When you get to your row, have the big kid wait in the seats opposite the aisle to yours if possible. Plop the car seat down in the window seat (and middle seat, if you have an open seat for the baby). Take the baby off and sit them in a seat while you secure the sceneras. Everybody sits in their respective seats!
Get booze.
Getting off: Wait until the end. It'll take a while for your stroller to come out anyway. Then do everything in reverse.
eta... Here's a picture of our setup when we were in this stage. These seats are actually bigger than the Sceneras. We had graduated to bigger seats by then. But it's the same idea.
Skip the luggage cart. It's one extra piece of gear you have to carry and stash away. It requires two hands to manipulate. Instead, use a stroller. You can dump it at the end of the jetway, and it's super easy to open and close.
Get two Cosco Sceneras. They nest together. You can wrap a bungie around them to keep them together. They're lightweight and easy to install.
You can use the tether strap to hang the Sceneras from the handle of the stroller. Put the big kid in the stroller.
Wear the little kid in a carrier on your front. You'll even be able to keep the little in the carrier through security. Wear a backpack on your back.
When you get to security, stroller goes on the belt first, then backpack, then car seats. (The Sceneras fit through the x-ray tunnel. You may need to un-bungie them and send them through one at a time.) Your big kid will go through the metal detector first, then you, with the little one strapped in the carrier. Take the stroller off the belt first, put the big kid in it immediately. Retrieve your backpack, then get the car seats and re-hang them on the stroller. Backpack can hang on the stroller, too, if it's easier (and not too heavy).
When you get to the gate, get a gate check tag for the stroller (and possibly one of the car seats, if there is no seat available) from the gate agent at the counter. Ask if families with small kids can pre-board.
When boarding, keep the big kid in the stroller down the jetway, if you'd like. Then they jump out, take Sceneras off the handle, collapse the stroller, leave for the ground crew. Big kid walks ahead with strict instructions to keep walking forward until you say Red Light. Hold the Sceneras up high above the seats (maybe on/over your head). This is the hard part. When you get to your row, have the big kid wait in the seats opposite the aisle to yours if possible. Plop the car seat down in the window seat (and middle seat, if you have an open seat for the baby). Take the baby off and sit them in a seat while you secure the sceneras. Everybody sits in their respective seats!
Get booze.
Getting off: Wait until the end. It'll take a while for your stroller to come out anyway. Then do everything in reverse.
eta... Here's a picture of our setup when we were in this stage. These seats are actually bigger than the Sceneras. We had graduated to bigger seats by then. But it's the same idea.
Jul 19, 2018, 11:29 am
#22
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Great post. I used a Swedish front baby carrier and later (until she walked well) in a back pack. Went all over the world with just the two of us (will admit prior to 9/11) and had no problems anywhere. When I had two kids, used a folding double stroller and the pack pack for the smaller one.