Flying Alone with 3 - Seeking Advice

My Mom used to find a young college aged looking person or Grandma-type who may have smiled at us, and asked if she would like to be helpful and make a bit of money, by being willing to sit near us and be an extra set of hands as needed and Mom gave her $20 or so. Just the times needing to go to the bathroom, it was nice to have that extra set of eyes and hands.

Good Luck!!!!!

Flying alone with my toddler a couple of years ago, I fell in love with my backpack. Haven't carried a purse since. Your six-year old can also wear a backpack to carry snacks and entertainment items so yours can be diapering essentials, extra shirts, etc. (You'll probably want to carry the DVD player, but she can carry a cd wallet with movie selections.

Children tend to be especially sensitive to the lower pressure of an airplane and sleep a lot. (That is if their ears aren't causing them pain.) Have the older two chew on something during take off and landing and like the others said, nurse the baby.

Oh, and bring empty sippy cups for the kids. The cups they give you on the airplane are a joke and everyone will wind up wearing their beverage.

If you have a stroller big enough for the middle child, I would consider bringing it and gate-checking it. Wearing one child, pushing the other in the stroller, keeping the six-year old's hands on the stroller.... make the layover much easier.

Good luck to you.

Insist on a whole row (mattering on the plane) with you on the aisle seat and the kids in the window seat, one over from the window. It helps contain them and you don't have to keep getting the evil eye from flight attendants.

have the kids eat when they are actually taking off and coming down. the chewing motion helps pop ears.

Remember that each passenger gets a carry on (mattering on the company) this can give you 2 extra carry on bags of stuff.

When the lay over happens let the kids RUN, in fact, if you can tell them they must run for the full hour.

Take pictures of the kids the day of and have them on your phone. airports are safe but kids ALWAYS run off (mine do at least... and usually find a play area or start begging McDonald employees for food...).

Make the older 2 carry as much as they can. rolling bags are great. Trunki are awesome too: http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&locati...

That is all right now...

I've found even when traveling alone to not carry a purse. I put a small clutch style purse inside a back pack that carries a book and anything else I'll want on the plane.

If you use a front pack for the baby you can also have a back pack. With the baby in a front pack, you'll have more freedom to keep track of the kids. Have them hold each other's hands and put them in front of you where you can see them. I think I would use a harness on the middle one. They will let you and the children board first and you can wait to exit last.

Do try to sleep if your kids fall asleep. I've found riding on a plane soothing and had no trouble sleeping. I suggest your kids might sleep. Be sure to have a blanket for them and/or warm sweaters/jackets. Planes tend to be quite chilly.

Nurse the baby on take-off and landing... that will help encourage the baby to swallow. We took 2 short trips when our youngest was just 6 weeks old and then 4 months old, and didn't have any problems with his ears that way.

Someone else said to have the older ones eating at that time, which is good... they don't usually know how to "pop" their ears to equalize the air pressure difference.

I think you've gotten some great advice so far. I'd add just a couple of things. Make sure that you drink LOTS of water. Flying and nursing is a recipe for major dehydration. I found my production took a big dip. Not a huge deal for me as I travelled with some frozen BM too. I second using a baby carrying devise. I used a baby bjorn and they let me wear the baby through the metal detector. It was a huge help. I'd also consider stepping through the detector before your older kids. The other side of security is usually more hectic. You'll want to be there first to keep them together. Also, make sure they don't have anything in their pockets to set the alarm off. Hopefully that will ensure smooth sailing through security.

DVD player is great, but even that will grow old after such a long flight. We stocked up on new items that we strategically pulled out. The newness kept her attention for longer. And lots of snacks and make sure they drink too and yes, bring sippy cups!

Lastly, make sure you talk with your older two about the process of checking in, being patient and having to wait in line, sticking close to you, etc. That will ease any anxiety they might feel. It's good that you are prepared for the worse but make it an adventure! Your kids will feed off your positive energy and that will make it much more fun for everyone :) Enjoy your trip. What a great opportunity for your kids!

When we traveled internationally, my sister - then 3 - slept on the floor and I slept on the seats. It worked quite well.
You need to give the older two responsibility. You need to make them carry their own things. Each one of them should have a backpack with their goodies and special toys.
I'd put in their electronic games -- if they don't have them, they are an excellent investment at this point. Make sure they have a couple of games each to keep them occupied. I always got my kids a new game when we were going on a long trip. It kept them quiet and occupied for the whole flight.
Bring a change of clothes for everyone in case your luggage doesn't follow you. When you need your luggage the most, it won't be there in the luggage corral...
Good luck!
LBC

Ok, for the 4mo old... bring your moby wrap (or simmilar) or sling if that's all you have. Baby can not be in it during take off/landing but otherwise you are good to go! You will thank me later. Make sure YOU are on the aisle seat, if you are putting anyone in a car seat that one has to be in the windo seat. I suggest the kiddo harnesses for in the airport, I trust your kids are good kids, but the airport is just so distracting with all the people, announcements, other kids, golf carts riding around etc (I never go the the airport w/out it! Snacks! Snacks are important - you may bring whatever non liquid food items thru security you would like then you can buy a few liquid items after if you like, most flight attendants will get you water between beverage services for the kids. You may also want to bring whatever "lovie" the kids have for on the plane, this will promote sleep. My son has been flying nearly 4 times a yr since he was 3mo we have not been on a flight longer than 5hrs, but he does tend to sleep for most of the flight. Typically after take off he falls asleep and on a GREAT trip does not wake up until we start to descend. I always bring our DVD player, however most of them only hold enough charge for ONE movie ... you may want to see if there is a way to charge it on the plane, or get another battery pack, or even see if you can use regular battaries as a back up on the plane. I also tie crayons to string and tie them to each other (with a lot of lenth) so then I can attach them to the tray.
(6 strings about a yard long each, tie, glue and wrap tape around the knot on both ends of the string. Store in tupperware vs. the crayon box. To secure to the tray gather all 12 crayon colors making a loop with the strings put your finger in the loop then put the strings on the bottom of the metal arm and loop the crayons thru the loop and you are good to go!
I also like to tape the paper to the tray so he can color in peace. Magnetic games are good for this as well, any thing like small board books too!
For the little one who gets motion sickness talk to the pedi about dramamine or something else for motion sickness. Good Luck I hope your trip goes well!

Wow, you're a brave lady! I would bring at least 2 changes of clothes for yourself and each kid (at least a new t-shirt) in your carry-on. Plus, snacks that help with nausea (anything with ginger, like ginger-snaps, saltines). I would also bring a toothbrush and toothpaste for the two older ones and you. I think a baby carrier like a Baby Bjorn would be helpful too so you can have your hands free for the two older ones on the plane and in the airport. Is the 6 yr old old enough for Dramamine? Do they make it for kids? It's saved me on many a stomach-lurching trip. It can make you drowsy, but I've seen a non-drowsy version. I would download some fun apps on your phone too- as a last resort to have when they're bored of all their toys. Also, coloring books with washable crayons. Does your son like toy cars? You could also bring some matchbox cars- it's always good to have non-battery operated toys for the plane (and restaurants) to keep him entertained. Plus, they're so small you can easily pop a few in your purse.
Good luck!
L.

Good luck! Though I've found flying alone with little ones isn't nearly as bad as it could be. Some small tips I've found to be useful...
-ask for drink boxes for everyone, including yourself to prevent spills. I've found most of the airlines we've flown on have had them available for the children. It also allows you to throw one in the seat pocket for later when you can't get the flight attendant's attention. we've also brought some on board with us and have never had a problem with security.
-along the same lines, make sure you have non-spill water bottles and/or sippy cups for the older kids (and probably for yourself). can you tell I was spilled on a time or two and learned from my mistakes? :)
-mealtimes were the most difficult to figure out with a lap baby since the space between the tray and your body isn't always enough for you to comfortably hold the baby, help the older kids and eat yourself. if you can get the kids' meals before yours and have them most of the way finished before you start, it helps. it depends on the airline though how willing they are to do this though typically I've found they serve kids first anyway.
-check your in-flight entertainment before you go. we've never taken a DVD player because I find them to be one more thing to carry and most of the airlines have great on-demand in-flight entertainment with video games and movies for kids. we do bring a leapster for my son because it's light weight and he can carry it in his own backpack.
-my kids have bookbags that they pack themselves and then must carry for the trip. the items are often random but I've found if they have chosen them, they are more likely to play with them then the things I might have thought they liked.
-if your 6 yr old can't hold the baby for you, make sure that you have the items you need for the flight (diapers, etc) packed in a bookbag or some other bag that will fit under the seat in front of you. i have found it impossible to get a bag out of the overhead compartment while holding a baby in my arms (or even wearing them in sling).
-if possible, ask someone else who has flown with your airline to the country you are visiting with children about how their "gate-checked" items work. we've found some countries have a different definition (like the item isn't at the gate but taken to baggage claim through a separate door so it isn't on the belt). if you're counting on having a stroller for the airport or even just taking any gate checked items with you, double check that for the airport of your layover and your destination if possible. it is NOT fun to have to race to baggage between connections to collect your items or to not have the things you're counting on using in the airport.
enjoy your flight!

Didn't have time to check the responses, so I hope I'm not being redundant, but I have found that it helps to buy several small, fun NEW toys to be brought out during key moments during the trip. Don't let the kids play with them before hand - these are 'special' toys for the trip. My daughter was on a bit of a coloring jag when we went to England six mos. ago and so one of her 'toys' was a set of new crayons and a coloring/activity book, etc.
When I was pregnant with #3 and my other two were 3 and 1, I also shamelessly bribed my daughter that I'd buy her something awesome when we got home IF she was really good on the trip (I knew my son was already going to be a handful and I didn't want to deal with TWO grouchy kids :) It worked well too :)
Good luck!!!

Wow! I haven't read all the responses below, but here are my thoughts:
1. Try to get a full row.
2. Have your kids eat/drink something on takeoff and landing to help with their ears. Lollipops are good for the older ones.
3. Bring extra diapers for delays.
4. Drink lots of water so you don't get dehydrated breastfeeding.
5. Bring books, crayons/paper, and other activities as well as the DVD player. We wrap up little ($1) gifts for our kids to open every hour or two if they've been good.
6. Unless your older two like the same movies, consider two DVD players.
7. Bring extra underwear/pants for the older ones.
8. Try to get the kids some exercise during the layover.
9. Could your pediatrician prescribe something for the air sickness?
10. Consider a preemptive strike when you board - I always make a point of telling the people around us that I will do my best to keep the kids quiet and I apologize in advance for any inconvenience. People are a lot nicer if they know you're trying.
Good luck!

Nurse baby during pressure changes like take off and landing when you feel pressure in your ears; take some take and toss cups with lids so the kids aren't spilling the airline drinks in cups; wear your baby in a sling or baby bjorn- it will make bathroom trips for you on the plane infinitely easier w/o having to hand baby off to some stranger (I have actually held strangers babies before because they didn't thInk potty time through :) ha but I have always used my baby bjorn for the baby stage); take a container of antibacterial wipes to wipe everything down including window, trays, arm rests- gross and loaded w bacteria and germs; and all the rest you have listed are right on. Does your portable DVD player have room for 2 sets of earphones and do you have child sized ear phones? Also wonder if the plane will have somewhere to plug in and charge....battery won't last more than a few hours. Good luck and God bless!

Even though your baby is a lap child, the bassinet fits on the wall of bulkhead seating which they will put up for you only at the higher altitudes and not during turbulence. Call to reserve this and call again and call 3 more times before your flight and make sure when you check in you have it reserved once again.
Lots of different kinds of little snacks in bags. Even if you never let your children eat brightly colored little cereal puffs, make an exception and pull them out when some fussiness starts. Keep it small. Meals are served at crazy times and the children may not be hungry when it is served, Oh, and reserve kids meals when you call to ask for the bassinet. My kids also sleep lying on the floor of bulkhead so ask for an extra blanket or two and lay it down and try. Go to the dollar store and buy a few new little toys you can whip out. Also, to encourage you, I have always had nice attendants to help out, hold a baby while I go to the bathroom, get extra juice. Just hold the stress in as much as possible, but ask for help if you need it - GOOD LUCK!!