https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 07 May 2026 00:22:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828494 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 13:29:07 +0000 Iced Tea 2828494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: I totally agree that a one year old is more likely to sleep in their car seat. That’s why I intend to bring car seats on board (or use the pre-installed airline seats—that’s an option on some international carriers!) when we go overseas in August. As for installing, if you preboard, then you can ask a flight attendant to occupy your kiddos in a nearby row while you Install the seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828305 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 21:51:12 +0000 lady baltimore 2828305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: Do you still have the boxes for the seats you are hoping to check? Not convenient for gate checking, but you could totally check them in their boxes at the counter.</p> <p>If you don't have the original boxes, maybe ask on a local resale group? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828298 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 21:06:52 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2828298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I flew solo with my 11 month DD and newly 3 DS. I wore DD and a backpack for the carry-on and wheeled DD's car seat to the plane. She was in it on the plane and it was easier for me. We did not take a stroller at all. </p> <p>I believe that gate check isn't any easier on baggage than checking at check-in. If you trust that there is no invisible damage gate checking, then you should be okay checking it in earlier as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828290 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 20:48:14 +0000 MenagerieMama 2828290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all! You have talked some sense into me. I’m going to reduce down to only one carryon (LO1’s rolling bag so she can pull it if needed) that will hold diapers, snacks and toys. I will wear LO2. I’ll bring the car seats but will check them though consider bringing the seat for LO2 - I still think it’s the only way she will hold still, but TBD. There’s a small chance our car being shipped with the cleks inside will beat me to our destination so then my mom could pick us up with them and then I wouldn’t need to bring the seats at all, but I won’t know that until next week. </p> <p>Now any recommendations on checking car seats without having a panic attack that they’ll be invisibly damaged? I’m too well trained to only gate check even though I agree for sanity that bag checking makes sense! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828286 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 20:36:54 +0000 periwinklebee 2828286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: I have gate checked our stroller/infant seat four times, and on two of those flights it has been lost. One was a direct flight, and it took them two days to find it. I was convinced someone stole it - like, how do you lose it when I take it to the end of the jet bridge (thanks United). The other time I was stuck with an eighteen hour flight delay by myself with nowhere to put the baby down, after a red eye. None of these times did they lose my check bag, so I'm thinking maybe checking is actually better in that regard. They are required I think to have loaner car seats at the airport, and when they deliver yours they will retrieve it. Not ideal, but you won't have to go without a car seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828276 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 19:50:29 +0000 MamaCate 2828276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: I have traveled several times solo with two kids. My vote would be check the car seats with checked baggage. I think we have done this 3 times with no issues. Then you get rid of the bulky stuff and can just have you and the kids and carryons through the airport. (If you are really worried about them getting lost, maybe explore back up plans? My parents have been able to borrow a convertible seat from a friend for us.)</p> <p>If it were my kids the little one would be more entertained by the ability to move around in their own seat without the car seat installed. But if you really want to have the car seat for LO2, you could wear the baby, bring a stroller and bungee cord the car seat to the stroller to get it through security and to the gate? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828262 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 18:31:30 +0000 MamaBear87 2828262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just fyi it's an faa law that you cannot have a car seat in any seat but the window so you will only be able to have one kid in a car seat.<br /> We check our littles travel seat all the time and it's never been lost. Back up is to always just have whoever is picking us up grab a cheap seat at Walmart. And I've also hear what charm54 said that Airlines often have seats to hand you if yours gets lost </p> <p>Good luck! I'm sure it will be fine. I'd wear the baby as well so you only have one kid to keep a hand on </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828261 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 17:53:47 +0000 Charm54 2828261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FYI We always check our car seats with our luggage. One time our bags got lost and our car seats weren't there when we arrived. I panicked but the airline said it happens often enough that the airline customer service desk keeps lots of extra car seats for these situations. So we got 2 brand new car seats to keep and then our regular car seats were delivered the next day.</p> <p>I'm not sure if all airlines do this but a few friends I've talked so had this same situation happen to them on multiple airlines and they got brand new car seats too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828257 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 17:33:53 +0000 rattles 2828257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can’t remember which airline I was on, but I was told I needed the car seats to be in the window seat as a matter of policy (supposedly to make it easier to evacuate if necessary). I would confirm that with the airline and if it were the case, I’d do a GoGoBabyz with LO2’s seat installed as a stroller for LO1 to ride in the airport and I’d wear the baby through the airport. On board I’d install the seat for LO1 and use a CARES harness for LO1. I would also try to minimize the extra bags. I’d try to keep it to one bag you can wear and one little bag LO1 can wear and check everything else. Also, I’d ask about an escort pass for DH when I called about the car seats, just in case! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828248 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 16:38:12 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2828248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could your mom buy the Cosco Scenera seats and your husband travel with your main car seats? </p> <p>Airports typically have people that can help. I just don’t know if you would have assistance from the time you step into the airport until you get to your gate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828247 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 16:33:13 +0000 PinkElephant 2828247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: ETA I just saw that your mom will meet you at the airport. Honestly, I'd find a way to have her come with seats installed, and not carry them with you.</p> <p>To get around the needing seats for the airport bit, if DH can't drive you in one of your cars (like he'll have already left, I have two solutions). </p> <p>(1) Car service - we've been able to find local services that have multiple carseats, as well as car services that will drive us in OUR OWN car, driving it to the airport and returning it to our house after they drop us off - now this won't work if DH has already left with your seats, but maybe you can borrow the car of a friend with similarly aged kids for a few hours to do this.</p> <p>(2) Ask a friend with similarly aged kids to drive you - offer to pay for a babysitter for their kids while they do this for you.</p> <p>I've found when traveling alone with my three kids, it's just not worth it to try to haul extra stuff - the less I can carry (ie the more I can check curbside), the better. I can get wanting a carseat for the toddler for a longer flight, though, so maybe if you feel you REALLy need it, you just take the one? </p> <p>Also, I'd try to condense your carry ons - I have each of my older kids (now 6 and 4) take their own backpacks, but realize that isn't an option at least with your younger child...but if you can just take one (maybe a duffle you can wear the hand straps as a backpack), it'll be easier for you. I'd wear the baby and take a small stroller, which can also either carry your bag, or contain your older LO if necessary.</p> <p>Good luck!!! Just remember flights are a finite period of time - you'll get through it! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828241 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 16:12:24 +0000 MrsBucky 2828241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My bestie recommended those wheel things for car seats for the airport. Would that maybe work for one or both? The other could be in a backpack- this is how we carry our lightweight car seat for travel. Maybe use luggage straps to piggy back the carry ins together so you only have one handle to pull? I don’t think it will be eays but I’m sure you will be able to do it! Installing a car seat in a plane isn’t hard- I’ve done it with that seat a lot. It’s a bit cumbersome getting onto the plane but the installation is easy- just donit forward facing. We still RF our 3 yo but FF him on planes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828237 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 16:04:28 +0000 sckim 2828237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: can your husband get an escort pass and help you to the gate? It won't help for the connection... but still a little helpful? I was allowed to help some family from out of the country to their gate. I told the agent that they didnt speak english and needed help navigating the airport and they let me through security. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828235 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 15:59:45 +0000 MenagerieMama 2828235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sckim: we have that car seat for travel! We actually fly so much that both kids have light travel seats (the clek fllos are being shipped). DH can get me to the airport and check our big luggage. But I’m on my own through security. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828234 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 15:55:09 +0000 sckim 2828234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think its worth it to at least take a carseat on for DD2 if she does well in it. Mine would sleep in her carseat for 3+ hrs and allowed me to be hands free. </p> <p>We use this carseat for traveling. its super light, easy install and can be harnessed on my stroller. Havent tried it on any double strollers though... <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-Scenera-NEXT-Convertible-Car-Seat-Otto/41126739" rel="nofollow">https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-Scenera-NEXT-Convertible-Car-Seat-Otto/41126739</a></p> <p>is your husband leaving after you? Can he go with you to the airport and help you to the gate?</p> <p>you could possibly wear LO2, have LO1 walk, place a cosco scenera car seat on top of the stroller and pile on the luggage. and let LO2 sit in a carseat on the plane while LO1 just sits in a normal seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828229 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 15:44:44 +0000 NorthStar 2828229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I made some of these for my 16 month old as we have a longish flight next month. He loves taking them out and putting them back into a ziplock bag, as well as sticking them together and pulling them apart. I bought the blocks and velcro circles via amazon.</p> <p><a href="https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2017/05/velcro-block-patterns-free-printables.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2017/05/velcro-block-patterns-free-printables.html</a></p> <p>I also recommend Water WOW books, Crayola wonder books/markers, gel stickies for the airplane window, post it notes. Really anything that somewhat will capture their attention. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828228 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 15:44:22 +0000 MenagerieMama 2828228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NorthStar: we can gate check the seats - that’s what we always do. But that’s why I wanted the wagon! I don’t know how I will do it otherwise... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828227 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 15:42:05 +0000 NorthStar 2828227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: You might want to ask if you can even gate check the car seats. How are you even going to get them to the gate?? I cannot imagine dealing with two kids, carryon bags, 2 carseats, etc. all by yourself between security and the gate. You will be wonder woman if you can accomplish that!! </p> <p>how long is the flight? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828226 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 15:30:16 +0000 MenagerieMama 2828226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: @kce56: I've actually never installed car seats on the plane, I just figured I needed to bring them and gate check them for our travel anyhow (my mom is picking us up at the airport and we're staying with her for a week) that if I installed them it would make the baby easier to manage. She does well on long car trips in her car seat but is like a mad creature on our laps! But you're right, I actually can't imagine how I would install 2 seats with the kids by myself on the plane.</p> <p>I do have a CARES harness, but LO1 isn't a big fan now that she's bigger, and I would really only be installing her seat because I'd feel strange installing LO2's and not hers (and she would be comfier for napping).</p> <p>Maybe wrangling the car seats would be harder than wrangling LO2 in her seat and I should just gate check the seats? I'm not comfortable just checking the seats with our baggage because then we would be stranded without them if there was an issue with our connecting flight or our luggage getting lost at the end. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828225 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 15:26:07 +0000 kce56 2828225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You might consider using a CARES harness instead of the car seats. It will keep a LO restrained with a harness but much easier to pack and install than a car seat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828217 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 15:10:07 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2828217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you’re comfortable forgoing car seats on the plane I imagine that would make your life 100 times easier for this trip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-with-2-kids-alone-help#post-2828215 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:59:41 +0000 MenagerieMama 2828215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So...we are moving our whole family across the country next month (eek!) and I am flying with the kids (age 13 mo and 3.5 yr) alone while DH drives with the 4 pets. We've done lots of cross country/international trips with them, but this is the first time I'll be doing it solo. I will be bringing their 2 travel car seats, and we'll have a carry on for each and checking a bag for each, and I bought the baby her own seat. Flying United.</p> <p>I have never installed car seats on the plane, usually gate check, but I feel like by myself it would be easier with at least the baby in her seat, and then I would just rather put both of them in their car seats. Can I install 2 car seats in one row on the plane? It states they have to be in a window seat so it would seem that means I can only have one kid in a seat (the baby, which will cause great strife from big sister!).</p> <p>I had been planning on using our collapsible wagon (from Costco) to haul the seats and carry on to the gate and at our connection (which is &lt;1 hr) while LO1 walks and I wear LO2, but on the United site it states that wagons cannot be gate checked like strollers. We have a stroller but it wouldn't be nearly as efficient for hauling all that stuff (with the bonus that LO1 could jump in if needed). I'm not sure it's small enough to fit in the overhead if needed. Thoughts?</p> <p>And..I have LO1 set with the ipad and some markers and books, but any new ideas for entertaining a 13 mo on a plane? She's in the wild alligator-don't restrain me phase. We do have a buckle toy she loves watching me buckle and unbuckle, but that only goes so far...</p> <p>Thanks!! </p>