Traveling with 2 Small Children

We took my son to Australia when he was 22 months old. My only regret was taking the carseat on the plane. He could reach the seat in front of him and I was constantly apologizing to the person in that seat. We did have to have it for the rental car. Since he was a paying customer he could have his own carry on. It was full of toys, food, drinks, books, crayons, diapers and wipes. We opted out on the DVD player since we did not want to lug it around for 3 weeks and there was so much more than movies we wanted him to experience. We did not use benadryl or any other drugs. The plane left at midnight so we decided to keep him up as long as we could running up and down the terminal (it was not crowded). It worked like a charm and he slept for 9 of the 16 hours of the flight. The flight attendants were very nice as well as everyone around us. It is a great experience vacationing with kids, hope you have wonderful and safe journey.

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Hi K.,

When they ask people with small children to board the plane first, ignore this. Do you really want your kids to have to sit there 30 minutes longer than they need to? You or your husband board first (the other one stay with the kids) and get all the luggage and car seats situated. Let the kids run around the boarding area until last boarding call. That way the novelty of the plane won't have worn off before everyone is even seated. Have a great trip!!

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I agree with the other poster. I have been to Mexico myself many times and just because they say the water is safe, don't chance it with two young kids. Get water purfying tablets and make sure you take things for upset stomachs age appropriate, probiotics is a great suggestion.
If it is well water they use additives that made both of my kids sick to their stomachs. Well water just takes time for kids to get used to.
Take the spray bottle sterilizer stuff for things dropped or for bottles/pacifiers. Go to Babies R Us as they have all sorts of cool stuff like that.
If you can bring as much toddler friendly food, things to entertain them on the plane and I am sure being near the ocean and all that will be very exciting for them.
Try and make sure you get a grocery that has stuff from the US in it. Fresh fruits and veggies are plentiful there but make sure you don't get it from a side market as that caused me some upset in my stomach eating a ton of fruit not from a grocery store there or from a restaurant.
The DVD players you can rent are awesome, check with your airlines. They have portable aqua doodles that would be fun for the 3 year old. Make sure you take comforts from home for the older one, his favorite pillow, blanket and so forth, if he has a music box bring that. Most kids sleep on planes for the most part. Make sure they are sucking on a sucker, pacifier, bottle, or strawed cup during take off and landing to relieve pressure from their ears.
Have fun! Wish I was going! :)

My sister just got back from a Mexico trip with her family, and she has two boys. She implores you to look into a probiotic called Culturelle. She says that most Wal-Mart pharmacies carry it, or you can go on their online site www.culturelle.com to find retailers. You don't need a prescription for it, but I think they keep it in the pharmacy fridge. She says it will be fine while you travel but try to stick it in a cool place once you get there to keep the probiotics alive. It helps your stomachs fight off the bad bacteria in the water or food that may cause cramping or diarrhea - even when they say the water is safe! She said she would open the capsule (completely safe for kids - it's not a drug) and sprinkle it in her kids' juice (your 7 month old probably won't need it since you'll most likely only feed her what you bring, right?) every day, and then she and her husband took it as directed for them, and they all stayed completely healthy. She has irritible bowel syndrome, so swears by probiotics.
Now that I've said that part for her . . . :)
I read an idea that worked for my daughter when I traveled alone with her and she was about your daughter's age: get a bib that's fairly large. The idea said to use pacifier clips and clip little toys all around the bib so that you could put the bib on your baby, then she could play with the toys and as she tired of them, she could move on to the next one and it wouldn't matter if she "dropped" the other because it wouldn't go onto the floor. I later found myself wishing I could do this with her bottle and "blankie" and some other things!
The only drawback to this idea is that those pacifier clips can be expensive! I was able to find some "circo" brand ones at Target that were less expensive, but I think if you had time to consider it maybe you could use something else - diaper "safety" pins and elastic maybe?
My daughter is now 3, and we recently went on a cross-country plane trip. The plane actually had a "cartoon" TV channel. It cost $2 to tune into it, and my husband looked at me and said "Why not?" She normally doesn't watch much TV, so this was a big treat for her, and she still talks about it. We hardly heard a peep from her! This may be an option for your son, since many international flights have TV monitors. Oh the TVs also come with headsets, so no one around you is bothered either. But I have found that most people are VERY empathetic when they see you traveling with young children; don't sweat the grumpy fellow travelers!
Also, and I probably don't need to say it, but don't forget to take the "favorite" book, toy, or stuffed animal.
The best part of a family trip though, is spending time together - you will have some great memories. Oh and lots of photos to show them as they grow up.
I hope you have a wonderful trip without any incidents!

When I travel by plane I usually try to get the first flight out if possible so that my 2 year old is still asleep and I return on the last flight back in. I am not sure how many hours Mexico is from here by plane or what the flight schedule is but what would be great is if they had a red eye flight where you are traveling through the night. I always bring a portable DVD player with his favorite movies and this works out wonderful if he wakes up. Of course bring snacks and any food that your 2 1/2 can readily eat on the plane if it is a long flight and a few toys that he enjoys. I bring along books also just to break things up. For your 7 month year old just make sure to bring enough bottle's (if she is bottlefed) and bring extra just in case there is a delay. Another tip from a breastfeeding mother is to make sure you get as comfortable a seat as possible (possibly the very first one if available), so that you can breastfeed with ease. I often wait until I get their the day of the flight and tell the flight attendant that I am breastfeeding and would like that seat if available or I take the very back one which is not always that comfortable but seems to work well with the kids and the noise and not disturbing others so much. That very first seat will also give your husband extra leg room. They usually block these seats off and hold them so you might get lucky. The one downside to this front seat is that you cannot have your bag with you because there is no seat in front of you to put it under. I usually put the bag up and then get it down once they are in the air or I keep a small one with me between me and the kids. I hope this helps some. Have a great Vacation!!!

I traveled to Mexico with a two year old and my six month old. I found that the things I really needed were pretty simple. People were kind to us, loved to see my children. I did think that a stroller was hard to maneuver in many areas, and was so glad to have a sling to carry my baby in. I used two slings, a Maya Wrap (especially good on the plane) and a Bundle bug sling to have my hands free to care for my older child. We also had a very long flight, and though I am not a television using mother much of the time, someone loaned us a dvd player (small sized) which was excellent for the long hours of sitting on the plane.

I opted to not bring car seats, because i felt we were bring so much stuff! This worked out great! The majority of the time we were not in a car, and there were alternatives to the car, and we stayed as local as possible. This was great for my kids, not car seats for a week, and easier for my husband and I with packing.

I hope this helps and have fun!

Go to the $ store and buy a bunch of new toys that your kids have never played w/ before. This will keep them occupied on the plane. Also, bring lots of snacks and drinks for them (TSA has lifted many of the liquid restrictions on baby food items). Ask your doctor about using Benadryl to make your kids sleep on the plane. If she OKs that, make sure you try it out on your kids before you go so that you can be sure they do not have an adverse and/or opposite reaction to it. Try to keep your luggage to a minimum amount. Getting through the airport can be really difficult when you have to struggle w/ 2 kids and all of your luggage. Strollers and car seats are a hassle to get through security but if your kids are willing to stay in them, they can be a great way to restrain your kids during airport transfers and flights. My husband and I just returned home from a 10-day trip to Europe w/ our two kids (ages 1 and 7). It was difficult but we survived. Good luck to you!

bring sometype of bottle sterilizer- the microwavable medela ones work. That way, you can sterilize the pacifiers, bottles, sippy cups, etc. Or, i guess since you have a condo, you can just boil them, but that takes a little bit longer...

keep the kids entertained. we two-three hours to see my family each month. my husband sits in the back and plays with our 10 month old, and i drive. he sings, tickles, patty cakes, etc.

I travel with a Moby Wrap, even though it is just material I still have to take the baby out and carry her through security, which is simple enough. Toddlers can bring their own carryon luggage on the plane, I've always had one of those rolling backpacks - they do make them toddler size - I put the toys, snacks and a change of clothes in them. Each of mine has enjoyed either pulling it or wearing it.

For me, I bring a full size carryon and count my diaper bag as a purse. I keep 2 diaps in the bag, and extras in the carry on.

I've taken kids to Mexico a few times, I always buy the sand toys there and leave them when we return.

*Small toys like matchbox cars that will keep your toddler's interest during the flight.
*A couple books (to read on the plane and during vacation).
*Finger food snacks, cheese & crackers, grapes.
**SIPPY CUP!
* a friend of mine downloads kids shows onto their IPod and they have a headset for thier toddler - they don't travel they use this in restaurants to keep him occupied but I think it would work great on a plane.

****It always takes a couple days to acclimate to the heat (could be a 50/60 degree difference - our last trip there we were having blizzards and it was 80 in Xtapa), so bring neck coolers. I also like to use bandanas for the kids rather than hats because you can wet the bandana in cool water before tying on their heads. I like to bring hats w/ bills too - shades the face. Its also good to hang out in the pool the first day - easy way to cool off. I once got heat stroke in town, took a while to find a building with A/C.

Have fun!

I always pay for the extra seats and take my car seats, it’s a life saver!!!! They act like they do in the car. It cost a little extra but it makes the trip worth it. I also take a receiving blanket for them to throw up in, I usually throw it away. Also try not to give them milk for about 4 hours before the flight. Pedialite. When they throw up you will be glad you did not give them milk. Finally pack light and stay where they have a washer and dryer. Have a great trip

We travel often and have since our first was 8 months (now 5, 2, and 4 months). I only take a car seat if I'm traveling by myself. Same with the stroller. I carry the baby in the Baby Bjorn. If you have a carrier like that that has little or no metal, you can just wear the baby through security if she's not wearing hard-soled shoes. I usually dress the baby in something with built in feet. I have been able to get a seat for the baby without paying in all but one case. I use a roller bag that has swivel wheels and carry everything else over the handle. Take way more diapers than you thing you'll ever use and at least several outfits with you on the plane. I had one kid who faithfully needed a complete change of clothes every time we got off the plane. If you kids have a history of ear pain, ask you doctor for a script for ear number. I've never had a problem getting any, but it's an instant cure if you need it. We always take new toys, at least one for each way. LeapPads work well, although they are sometimes considered a computer at security. I know it's tough with kids and the cost of taking bags, but the lighter you can get away with on the plane, the easier it will be. Have fun!