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Before The Trip
Airline reservations
How many seats should I buy?
As many as you can afford. Technically babies under 2 can fly
free, but they are not guaranteed a seat, meaning they will
have to sit on someone's lap. If there are only 2 of you and 3
babies, you must buy at least 3 seats. You may get lucky and
get on a flight that's not full. If so, every one will have their
own seat. But you can NOT count on having seats available for
all 3 babies, especially during the peak travel times. Some
airlines offer discounts for infants riding in car seats. Be sure
and ask.
If you can't afford to purchase extra seats, you might want to
take the car seats with you anyway on the chance that there
might be empty seats available. If there are no seats available
the flight attendant can gate check the car seats for you. It's
a hassle because you have to trudge the seats all over with you.
But it might be worth the try, you never know, you might get
lucky.
Despite the fact that it's a lot more expensive, your peace of
mind will be much greater if every baby has their own seat
(and they are safer in case of turbulence). Do you know that
stewardesses call lap babies "torpedoes"? That's what they
become if the plane hits a major airpocket. You may think you
will hold on to the baby but may in fact let go. So if you can,
get a seat for each person.
Why should I plan to use car seats?
They're too much
trouble.
There are several reasons why you might consider using car
seats on the plane:
It's safer. On a bumpy ride, you won't drop them. If the
unthinkable happens, they have a chance of surviving. There is
a scary FAA report about little kids injured on planes.
Injuries to kids are not widely publicized and happen more
often than you'd think. Although the airlines recommend the use
of car seats, they lobby the FAA against requiring them
because they're afraid it will cut into their profits since
fewer families with small children would fly.
They like it. They know their seats. They're more at ease.
Think of the times you've seen crying babies on planes; were
any of them were in car seats?
They're contained. They're not crawling under seats or in the
aisle.They are less of a bother to other passengers. The flight
attendants are so happy to see car seats, they often help
parents carry them on/off the planes and offer to help install
them while you're boarding.
You're more comfortable and manage better without kids on
your laps.If mama's not having fun on the plane, then nobody's
going to be having fun. It sets the mood for the whole trip.
Besides, you won't get stuck next to some 400 pound person
spilling over into your seat.
And last but not least: you're allowed 2 checked bags and one
carry-on with each ticket you buy (not including purses, diaper
bags, car-seats, or the gate-check stroller).With 3 portacribs,
blankets, 3 portable high chair/booster seats, toys, gear, their
clothes, and your clothes, we need the bag allowance.
If you can't afford to buy extra seats, take your car seats
with you anyway. You may have to gate check them, depending
on how full the flight is. If there are not any extra seats, you
can gate check the car seats. (don't count on any car seat
fitting into a overhead compartment -- they just won't! ). The
downside of this is,you must carry more stuff with you between
flights. This is a small downside to protect your little ones.
Is there anything I should remember when I make the
airline reservations?
FAA regulations say that only one baby can be in each row, and
she must sit in the window seat (not the aisle), if you purchase
a ticket for her. However, don't expect everyone who works
for the airlines to know this!!! Even if the ticket agent says its
not true, and books you on seats together, be prepared to have
your seats re- assigned when you board the plane. Remember, a
side with 3 seats has only 4 oxygen masks and car seats can't
be in an aisle seat. (You only need to worry about oxygen masks
on planes that fly over 10,000 feet. The little puddle jumpers
usually do not get much over 8,000 feet.)
Make sure you tell the person who is reserving your seats that
you have triplets and need extra space, in case the flight is not
full. In general, the more people you tell from the airline that
you are travelling with three infants, the better chance you
have of getting some extra seats set aside (i.e. blocked out) for
you, or some other accommodation.
Don't get the bulk head like everyone tells you is possible. One
family reserved the entire bulkhead only to find out you can't
put carseats up there (these seats are adjacent to the
emergency exits and anyone sitting there has to be able to
assist in an evacuation) Get a non-exit door row. It's a little
crowded and less confusing.
You can purchase children's meals on the plane, but this has to
be done when you book your tickets, and you have to
specifically order them. You may also want to order infant
lunch, if you bought extra seats.
Lodging & Car Rental
What about hotel reservations -- do
I ask for anything
special?
Some hotels have regulations about how many people are
allowed in one room. You may want to call before you make
your reservations just to inquire about their policy. Then you
will be prepared when you make the reservation. One mother
said that when she booked the room and they asked how many,
she said "Two adults" They did not ask how many children and
she did not volunteer that information. Usually, one bedroom
for 2 adults comes with 2 full-sized or queen beds.
Many places rent travel cribs and other baby furniture. Call
ahead and do a little research to see how much you can rent
when you get there, not because you don't have the luggage
space, but because it's less hassle to get it all together when
you arrive. You may be able to rent cribs, high chairs, and
strollers. (You may want to ask for just two cribs, because of
regulations regarding 3 babies in a room.) You may want to
bring your own sheets and a few "bed" toys from home so that
the babies will have some familiar things with them at night.
We're going to rent a car. Any words of wisdom?
Car rental places also rent car seats. If you don't plan to take
your car seats on the plane, look into renting the car seats
along with the rental car. This would save taking along 3 car
seats. Someone was given an estimate of $30 a week for a car
seat.
You may be able to convince the rental car company to toss in
the rental car seats for free, by threatening to rent with
another company. Some rental places will loan the car seats to
you or rent them for a nominal fee.
We're staying with relatives. What
should we do
beforehand?
Ask your relatives to ask around, they may be able to borrow
cribs,high chairs, car seats or strollers. It's surprising what
people keep in their basements and attics. If you can't borrow
them, perhaps you can rent portable cribs.
Another option (maybe a little expensive) is to ship portable
cribs ahead of time by UPS ground (and give a signature
release on it so it can be left there without someone signing for
it).
Try contacting a twin's club in that area. Maybe enough
members have portacribs that they'd let you borrow for the
visit. Call the National Organization of Mothers of Twins
Clubs for the phone number of the nearest club.
Another alternative would be to buy 3 small playpens at your
destination and leave them there after you leave. (Someone's
mother bought a small new playpen for around $20 at a garage
sale. Having the superyard is great for hotel rooms and
friend's homes that aren't babyproofed. You may want to send
it our beforehand so you don't have to deal with it on the
plane.
Miscellaneous
What should I pack?
Diapers, wipes, baby shampoo, formula, etc. can all be bought
at your destination. Only bring along enough for the plane ride,
then go shopping for the rest when you get there.Pack in really
big suitcases. You can cram a lot of baby clothes in a really big
bag. That way you have less baggage. You may want to take
enough clothes for maybe 4 or 5 days, then find a Laundromat
or use your relative's washing machine. Pack as lightly as you
can, you really won't use as much as you think.
Always take drugs! Even if they are healthy when you leave,
someone always gets sick. You may want to pack thermometer,
Tylenol, Dimetapp, glycerin suppositories, and nystatin or
diaper rash medicine. If your kids have had ear infections in
the past, ask your doctor about flying with them. Sometimes
they will give you antibiotics ahead of time.
One couple's advice: "We traveled quite a bit when the kids
were at this age, and found that less is more when it comes to
luggage. Hauling all this stuff around was creating tremendous
travel stress."
For a diaper bag, you may want to use a good brand backpack
with a metal rod in it that helps to hold its shape. That way, it
can go on your back and out of the way.
What should I take on the plane?
Pack a diaper bag for each adult. That way if you do get
separated,you don't have to pass lots of stuff back and forth.
For each baby, pack 2 bottles (or cups), food, snacks, toys,
books, diapers, and a change of clothes. Don't forget the
diapers! (You may want to put overnight diapers on them during
the flight, just in case it's hard to change them.) Pack a trash
bag in your bag for dirty clothes, and another for dirty
diapers.
Plan to travel in one piece, warm outfits (it can be rather cold
on an airplane) -- the kids are more comfortable and you are
less likely to lose a sock, shoe, etc. Don't pack too much to
keep the kids busy - - it only lands on the floor and leaves you
trying to bend over with a baby in your arms to pick up the
lost (and now dirty) toy. Pack a sweater or jacket for each
baby. Also a couple of receiving blankets are a good idea. Be
sure to take extra pacifiers, because it helps them to suck
when the plane takes off and lands.
If they are still on formula, you can take bottles of water and
powdered formula. The you can have the stewardess heat the
water, then add the formula.That way, you don't have to worry
about spoilage. If you have baby food, keep a plastic bowl and
a spoon in the bag and rinse it out in the bathroom after the
feeding. You may want to try powdered baby food,
reconstituted with water, it's a lot lighter than jars of food.
Also pack couple of dry wash cloths.
Be sure that you ask their pediatrician if they can take
Dramamine,and if so, in what quantities. One mother was very
unprepared when she took her son on the plane for the first
time -- he threw up quite a number of times and it took him all
day to get rid of the nausea. On the way back, she gave him
children's liquid Dramamine and he did much better. Better
safe than sorry! Be sure and pack the Dramamine in the carry
on bags.
Wrap little things they have played with in the past as
presents and let them open them up during the plane ride. It
will be a "new" toy to them and will keep them occupied. Or
pick up some small cheap toys and don't let them see them until
you have been up in the air and they are fussy. New toys will
keep them busier.
Bring some drinks (water or fruit) for yourself. You will need
to drink something from all the heavy carrying along the way.
Should I plan to take the stroller?
Some people can't imagine being without their stroller, but if
it's one of those huge ones it could be a problem checking
it.Someone mentioned that the strollers at amusement parks are
often nicer and more solid than the strollers she had brought,
and they often used those during travel. Other folks said to be
sure and take your stroller, you will be so glad you did! If you
take it, check it at the gate. One family with a runabout got an
original box from a store that carries runabouts and checked it
at the gate, breaking it down enough to fit in the box. When
you get off the plane, it should be at the gate waiting for you.
You may want to have a luggage cart waiting for you as well,
for carry-on and car seats. The airlines may charge you extra
for the stroller, but many may not out of kindness (or pity):-)
If you don't want to take the triple stroller, you may use a
twin stroller -- it's smaller, more compact and easier to get the
little ones in and out of. Of course, this means you must carry
one baby. Or you can take umbrella strollers. Or a single and a
double.Whichever stroller(s) you take, be sure and check them
at the gate so they will be waiting for you when you leave the
plane.
During the Trip
At the Airport (Check-in/Boarding)
How do we get all of this stuff and
the babies onto the
plane?
Remember -- let everybody know that you are traveling with
three infants, and they'll be more than accommodating. If you
can, check your luggage with a sky cap at the curb. Spend the
extra cash for a porter- they can use the handicapped carts to
take you from the curb to the gate, and if you tip well, they
will help you a lot. Be firm about your needs. People that push
wheelchairs and drive carts at airports are not allowed to make
decisions about needs of triplet families (even when you are
trying to make connecting flights).
If you know you'll be switching to a new plane, have them
reserve a "beeping cart" (whatever those annoying little carts
are called that run you over at the airport) when you check-in..
This will make your life MUCH easier. They can put this
information on the flight information sheet so that when you
land, the ground crew already knows and is prepared.
The most frequently heard tip from parents who have been
there- Definitely gate check the stroller! You will have it all
the way down the walkway to the plane. At the door, they will
take it from you and store it. At your destination, they will be
waiting with the stroller right when you get out the door. Much
easier than trying to check it with baggage or trying to fit it
in an overhead bin. You can also use the stroller to help carry
the seats if you don't feel like waiting for the electric carts.
Usually, we call ahead and schedule a cart to meet us at the
gate if we have a tight connection. You may want to call ahead
and verify that you can do this.
Some airports have carts that you can rent, with a spot to seat
a child. This can make the trip to the gate possible with only a
double stroller. Check the stroller at the gate, as well as the
carseats (if you didn't buy seats for all the babies and there
are no empty seats). Remember, carseats won't fit into
overhead compartments.
Get on FIRST or LAST. If you get on first you may find that
you do not have enough time to get everything ready before the
'rush' comes of other passengers. Last means wait until almost
everyone is sitting down on the plane. You may not see anyone
in the gate area, but they are all standing in the planes aisle.
Tell the gate person what you are doing and they will tell you
when it is best to get on when going last. Have one person go on
with the luggage and get the seats ready. The other(s) wait
outside in the seating area and let the kids blow off energy
until the final boarding. That way they are not cramped sitting
inside waiting for everybody else to sit down and push back
the plane. (Although I don't know this would work with one
person and 3 small babies.) If you want on first, tell the gate
personnel when you check in. When switching planes you may
end up last because of the length of time it takes to get from
plane to plane.
Some parents prefer to sit in back of the plane. It is usually
noisier (kids go to sleep), but you usually have more room, as
most people want to sit up front. Some say it is safer in front,
but when a plane goes down, there are usually few winners, so
it probably makes little difference. You are also closer to the
stewardess.
After everyone has taken their seats if there are any extra
seats ask for them, they will more then likely give it to you.
Make sure that each person holding a baby has a carry-on with
all the essentials (diapers, wipes, toys, food, change of clothes,
washcloths). You may get split up.
On The Airplane
Any tips to make the flight easier?
Make sure you have bottles for them to drink as you are
turning on to the runway to take off. This will help their ears
from popping by drinking and swallowing. Do the same thing on
descent into the airport when landing. Make sure that the
babies are not just sucking, but swallowing with take off and
landing.
The stewardesses can heat bottles of water in the microwave
for you,then add the powdered formula. You don't have to
worry about spoilage of bottles.
Dramamine comes in a liquid form just in case you need it.The
best advice: ask for help with virtually everything, and they
will assist you. We even had people offer to hold babies for us
to give us a rest. People love babies.
Planes NEVER have enough room to do what you need.There is
no easy way to change a baby on an airplane. You may want to
bring blankets with you and change the babies in the galley
after things have settled down from serving drinks and meals.
One family says: stick to the babies' schedule! We traveled
during nap time, and because the kids were in their car seats,
they all fell right asleep and woke up when we arrived,
refreshed and ready to go. This is a judgment call on your part
-- some kids won't sleep on a plane, and then you've got
overtired little ones. I wrote out a detailed schedule ahead of
time for each of the four days we were away. This helped make
sure we would be on time where we had to go, and it kept the
girls' day consistent.
The kids needs come first, then yours. This means taking care
of them EVEN though the food cart is next to you. Ask them to
come back. They will take care of you, if you ask.
In general, the key is having PLENTY of everything.Of course
you learn to ignore people or you get swamped, and if you pull
out a camera, and act like you're going to take the people's
pictures they will scatter fast! Remember -- let everybody
know that you are traveling with three infants, and they'll be
more than accommodating. |