Does anyone have any hints / strategies for plane travel with twins? Our twin boys will be 11 weeks old - but were born at 34 weeks so will be developmentally a bit younger. There will be two of us, so we will have one each. I think we will have them in baby carriers rather than the stroller so that we will still have hands free for luggage, tickets etc. The flight is only a short domestic one, so no problems with the time factor and keeping them amused. However, I am not sure about where to sit (if anywhere is better than anywhere else), would the Qantas bassinets be of any use (only a short flight) and what about their ears popping? Can we feed them bottles while they are strapped in with the Qantas harness - not sure if this is logistically possible - as they will be facing away from us - maybe I should practice at home first!!

Anyway, any tips and hints would be much appreciated?

Also, as we want to keep the luggage down we are not taking or hiring capsules so will be doing all our travelling by public transport. Any pros or cons on bus vs train, as I assume taxis are out as we would need baby capsules?

Thanks.

The flight attendants are usually really good, it's probably worth making sure you ask for seats on the exit row as that always gives you more room. If the babies take dummies have them on hand for them to suck on , if you can feed them a bottle while you take off it's always best for them to be actively sucking to help their ears from popping. The best thing is just try to relax and take it in your stride. Hope the trip goes well!

You don't say where you are going, but it is legal in Qld to take babies under 1yr in a taxi without a seat. Having said that, I would never do it!

Yes it is possible to feed a baby with the seat belt on. The seat belt is not a harness it is just like the adult ones only it loops through yours first.

The bassinets are not on all planes only 767s and bigger.

Good luck.

Hi Juliam,
We travelled when my bubs were 9 weeks old. We had them in the baby bjorn carriers and they slept the whole flight (2.5 hrs). I tried to b/f one on landing and we bottle fed the other but they didn't really need it and on the return trip I didn't bother and they were fine. I think they did have dummies on the return trip but they were asleep and didn't even stir for the landing. We had the qantas baby seat belts and I straped them into that while still in the carriers. There were on bassinets on the plane we went on.

I would suggest sitting on an isle seat if possible as we found we were getting up to get things out of luggage or do nappy changes regularly.

One thing to note is that you have to sit in separate isles or same isle but different groups of seats due to the emergency oxygen mask situation.

I think that is a great age to travel with them as they will just sleep. I wouldn't even contemplate it now!! Enjoy your trip.

Julie
DS Luke 6/8/04
DD Jenna 6/8/04

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Hi we've had quite a few trips with the girls from around 16 weeks of age. They've been rather good on the plane and have had no problems with the ears popping have tried to feed upon landing but the girls slept through most landings anyhow. so wouldn't worry too much..

You dont say where you are going but i'd maybe re think the whole public transport. what happens if their is a delay(if you are travelling in Syd or Melb it's quite likely) short trips would prob be ok. we take our car seats where ever we go but have hired other equip. It;s usually quite reasonably priced and allows you a bit more flexability when travelling. Good luck and enjoy your trip..

Rebecca 31
Nathan 28
Fraternal twin girls Amber & Olivia 08/05/03

Thanks for your tips. We are travelling Melbourne to Sydney (and vice versa 4 days later!), and are on a 767 there and the new A330 (?) on the way back. So it looks like there will be bassinets, but they may be just as happy in the carriers (we also have the Baby Bjorn carriers). I may need to rethink the public transport thing - but hubby is adamant that we have spent enough money on airfares so don't need to spend more on hiring capsules. However, I may look into it to see how much it would cost, as I agree it would be easier and if there are delays there could be problems with hungry babies. It's good to hear that the ear popping doesn't sound like it is necessarily a problem. The boys take dummies and we are doing a combination of bottle and breast feeding, so I have plenty of options. I will just need to be prepared.

Just a thought, you could take your capsules. I find it handy to carry bubs into the airport in it, then check it in and get it back at the other end. Much easier than trying to get public transport everywhere.