Help...First time flying with 3 yr old and 5 mth old!!!

[sher92]

We are headed to Disney on Oct 1 and this will be our first time flying with DD3 and DS 5mth! My parents are coming with us so we'll have plenty of adults to help to entertain her with sticker and coloring books. We did not buy a seat for my DS so I will be holding him during the plane ride. Once we get to the Orlando airport, they will put a carseat in the shuttle for my DD, but what about my DS, will they also put in a bucket carseat or will I be holding him on there as well?

Any other advice you can provide will be greatly appreciated!

 

[henry72]

Are you taking DME? We took DS at 19 months and he slept in our lap on the bus ride so he didn't have a seat. They didn't offer carseats or anything on the bus (and we didn't bring one). I would assume you are holding your DS.

 

[happymommy]

Take a deep breath, and relax!

I have flown alone with my kids since my son was 6 months old, and again when he was 2 and my daughter was 3 months old. Many other times as well. Planning ahead really helps!

You don't specify what kind of shuttle it is. If it's ME, then you don't need carseats (it's a bus). If it's a towncar, call them and ask. They usually only have booster seats I thought, but you can see. You can just have someone hold the baby I guess - not the safest, but taxis don't use carseats usually either.

If you have any other specific questions, let me know! Have a great time.

 

[SaraMc]

Hey that's us too! DS(3) has flown before so he's a pro. We have Cares for him and a lot of activites. He loves to colour so we have Colour wonder markers and paper so he can have fun, yet not cover the plane with marker and himself. We are flying Jet Blue so he also will watch some tv but generally he's a good flyer. Our DD well its her first time, lap baby all the way and we are using ME so Im not hauling the carseats along with us.
Are you flying with anyone else? My mom is coming along and possibly my cousin and her husband ( We are doing a GG) so We can pass the baby like a joint at a highschool party around the plane
We flew the first time with DS when he was 5 months old and he did great. We took his fav. toys away from him about a week before we left and then re-introduced them on the plane. He was so happy to have his jingling bannana back. So we will do the same with DD's fav's.
Try to get flights that dont distrupt thier schedule too much. We are flying right around the time when she normally eats, then she eats during take off and hopefully sleeps

 

[HHMcG]

We (DH & I) have flown multiple times with our two - @ 6mo, 17 mo, 2 ½ years/10 months.
I've always found that the younger the easier. When they were under a year we did not get them seats and they would just sleep/cuddle on my lap. I would always nurse/give a bottle during take off and landing to help with their ears. That along with the hum of the plane usually put them right to sleep. Once my older one got, well, older, she need a lot of distraction/entertainment. Sometimes we bring our laptop and pop in a DVD. I also pick up a few new toys and gift wrap them, the kids get so excited by that. Even cheapies from the $ store are like gold if they are gift wrapped. Plus some snacks and we are practically landing. We are lucky enough to just have short flights (2 hours or less).
Oh and sometimes if the older one is very active a car seat or CARES is handy to keep them strapped in. I am debating that for next trip (they'll be 4 &2) even though we won't need the carseats once we land.

As far as the need for carseats once you land - it really depends on your shuttle service. Call them.

 

[sher92]

Thank you all! We are using the ME so it looks like we'll be good to just hold our DS. Luckily, my parents are also coming with us, we we'll have 4 adults to 2 kids, not a bad ratio!
I'm getting so excited...only 1 more month!!