The process of taking a plane ride has changed so much since having kids.  As I continue to put together the necessities for my upcoming trip home with L & M, I thought I would jot down some tips for those of you who are planning summer vacations with your own tots.  Hopefully, they can offer some insight about the lessons I learned the hard way.

Here goes:

-    Make a few lists for your trip: 1. To do list for errands that must be done before you go, 2. Do not forget list of items that are usually packed last minute (i.e., sound machines, monitors, bottles), 3. Things to pack for the airplane ride, specifically (snacks, medicine, toys, etc.)  Your mind is working at a mile a minute on a normal day, so with the added stress of packing you will be sure to forget SOMETHING, so jotting things down as you remember them and categorizing them into these 3 simple lists has actually reduced the number of items I have left behind.  And don’t think there wasn’t an instant where I had to go back home when we were already on our way to the airport bc I had forgotten the Pack ‘n Play!
-    Make sure the ‘bare necessities’ are available for your tots at your destination (formula, diapers, cream, baby food).  My family is from Nicaragua, where things are not as easy to find, so I have had to send certain items ahead of time.
-    If you are taking more than one suitcase, divvy up your tots & your items bw both bags.  This way, if one piece does not arrive on time you will have enough to get you through the first few days.  This has already happened to me!  L was 8 months old and drinking a hypoallergenic formula (which was not available in Nicaragua)…all his clothes was in 1 bag and I had not even taken a pajama for him to sleep in!  Needless to say I felt like the WORST mom in the world!  The bag eventually got there a couple of days later, but this tip would have saved me A LOT of stress!  If you are only taking 1 bag, have Mr. take a carry-on with the bare necessities for the family.
-    Take a day’s worth of formula & baby food on the plane (or in the diaper bag), in case there is a long delay.  This happens more often than you think, and it’s always better to have more than less.  There shouldn’t be a problem with getting powder through, and they usually let you through security with liquid form also.
-    Give baby a bottle, pacifier or something to suck on while you are taking of and landing.  This will help with the pressure.
-    Put kids in easy to put on & take off clothes and shoes.  This is for security purposes, and also for changing diapers in small places like airplane bathrooms.  
-    Naptime is usually a good time to travel…the white noise from the plane helps getting them to sleep.

I am not sure how smoothly this trip will go, and I am sure that there are still more lessons to be learned, but I am excited to see my parents and have some more help with the kids for a while.  I will be checking back in from Nicaragua to let you know how it all went…for now, just cross your fingers for me!

Update on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 10:33PM by Ferni

I can't believe it has only been 2 days since I got here! First plane ride went VERY smoothly! L fell asleep as soon as we took off! I couldn't believe it...I didn't even have to tell him.  He just put his head down and woke up 10 minutes before landing.  M, on the other hand, was not able to fall asleep until L had woken up! She was content watching everyone in the plane and playing with a VERY nice row-mate. 

The layover didn't go as well as I had hoped!  You would think that 3 hours wouldn't be that much to handle...I guess I was a bit too optimistic.  L quickly got desparate to get on the next plane, so he could see his 'Belo' and M had grown so tired there was not way of calming her.  Somehow, I won L over with food & his iPod and M eventually fell asleep in the stroller 1/2 hour before we had to board.

You can just imagine how the next plane ride went!  M cried on and off most of the time, even while I was trying to feed her with one hand and hold onto her with another!  L was a trooper!  He watched his videos, looked outside the window, and got a bit ansy at the end.  Thank goodness there weren't any delays!!

So what did I learn from THIS trip, you ask? Layovers are not created for parents travelling with kids, unless you are able to use a frequent flyer lounge.  So try and break up your trip.  Travelling during nap times, really does work if your kids can sleep anywhere.  If they are like my M, you may just have to deal with an overtired baby.  Finally, even when you think you are mentally prepared for something you probably aren't...so just be prepared for the unexpected!