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Traveling

 

General

  • Lists are really helpful. Make a packing list and lists of things to do in advance and also things to do just prior to leaving house.
  • Carry 24 hours worth of diapers (and possibly baby food) in a conveniently accessible place Change diapers at every stop -if possible, slightly more often than normal Consider using heavier "nighttime" diapers
  • If bottle feeding, have formula premeasured in bottles and warm water in a thermos ready to mix (or hot water in a thermos and cold water to get just the right temperature)
  • Have the pediatrician's phone number handy. Have all medications handy.
  • Consider whether you should carry supplies (food, diapers) or purchase them at your destination. Twins can sleep in one porta crib with apiece of foam or a rolled blanket as a divider. Carry snacks for everyone.
  • It's nice to have a pack n play for each baby when they're older and bigger - it's also nice to have a pack n play with a changing table that can attach to it so that you have a portable changing station as well as crib.
  • Have a couple of toys the babies are not used to seeing. Have lots of toys in case they get bored.
  • Have snacks or sippy cups the kids can have in their car seats. The no leak sippy cups are great when travelling. (To help your kids learn how to drink from them, leave the valves out when you first introduce the cups)
  • Bring clothes for the appropriate temperature at your destination as well as comfortable travel clothes (like sleepers)

 

Car trips

  • Check the car out before the trip. Don't start on a summer trip through a desert with an air conditioner which barely works! Do a practice day trip.
  • Start looking for a good place to stop about 30 minutes before the regular feeding time, if you are lucky, you will find a good place and not just a wide spot in the road.
  • When travelling by car, carry adult food so that when you stop to feed the babies, the adults can eat as well.
  • When travelling by car, carry a small cooler with drinks so that the adults don't need to add extra stops.
  • Make sandwiches ahead of time and carry them in a cooler, then if you're hungry and the babies are sleeping you don't have to stop and potentially wake them up!
  • Keep a bag of toys in between the seats in the back that you can access from the front - just keep tossing them toys from the bag as needed.
  • Keep a supply of pacifiers with you (they are notorious for throwing them over the side of the car seat!)
  • Drive at night or early in the morning to the extent possible.
  • Be sure to adequately shade the rear windows. This can make a huge difference in how well the babies travel. The small stick on shades are often not large enough.
  • The passenger (not the driver) should be in charge of toys and entertainment for the back seat.
  • Keep the babies on the same feeding schedule

The day before leaving:

  • Fill up the car Pack
  • Load the car
  • Check supplies in the diaper bag
  • Check task list for the departure

Just before leaving:

  • Feed everyone
  • Change diapers

 

Plane trips

  • Pack in as few pieces as possible. Carry only the essentials (diaper bag, toys) on the plane Bottles or snacks during takeoff and landing can help the babies' ears to adjust.
  • Remember everyone gets dehydrated during plane travel and plan for extra feedings.

  • Carry a sheet that you can lay down on the carpet in the airport for the babies to play on while you wait before boarding.
  • When you approach security, you will have to remove everything from the stroller (children included) so be prepared.
  • Front packs can make it easier to handle the babies while carrying other stuff or folding a stroller Some airlines will let you put babies in front packs during take off and landing, others will not. Even when your babies can travel as lap babies, buying one seat for them means that you can set at least one baby down.
  • Enlist aid! Flight attendants are often glad to help warm bottles.
  • Car seats are not supposed to count against the checked baggage limit, but often do. If your airline offers curbside check in, use it!
  • Drive to the curb and drop off one adult, all the luggage and the kids. Then park the car and return. The adult who remained at the terminal can slowly move all the stuff to the appropriate line (if needed, hire a sky cap or rent a cart) and progress through the line. If you get to the front before the other adult returns, just let people pass you until the entire party is together. Have your ID handy at checkin, security and when boarding the flight.
  • When travelling with lap babies, ask several times about whether the seats assigned are appropriate for 2 people with 2 lap babies. In general, you cannot sit in the same row without an empty seat between you and you cannot sit in an exit row. Adjoining aisle seats or an aisle and window with an empty seat between are both good choices.
  • Feed everyone before leaving the airport.
  • Be familiar with how your car seats install.
  • If breastfeeding on the plane, bring a small blanket and safety pins.  You can pin the blanket to the seat in front of you and to your seat, and create a private place to feed a baby.

 

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