Planning a cross-country trip with kids—especially when you have four children under five, including 5-month-old twins—requires a lot of preparation, patience, and a bit of humor. Last month, we took on this challenging adventure, and while it wasn’t easy, we survived! Check out my reel on Instagram to see some moments from the trip. As a registered dietitian, my motto is always food is fuel. Food gave me the energy and stamina for this long trip. Here’s how we managed our cross-country journey with multiple young kids and some travel tips that can help other parents brave enough to take on this feat.
Preparing for Our Cross-Country Trip with Kids
Our journey began with my mom flying out to help us fly back to her house. With one adult per baby, having an extra set of hands was crucial. A friend dropped us off at the airport, and while we unloaded the car, I placed my twins in the trunk area temporarily—don’t worry, only for a moment! This was just until I was ready to wear one baby, while my mom carried the other.
Travel Tip #1: If you’re traveling with multiple kids, curbside check-in is a lifesaver! While it does cost extra, it saved us from having to drag around four car seats, two suitcases, and four kids. Highly recommend it!
We found a quiet terminal where the babies could do some tummy time, and our older two could run around and release some energy. Keeping toddlers active before a flight is essential for minimizing restlessness during travel.
In-Flight Survival Tactics for Traveling with Young Kids
Feeding times were carefully planned to keep everyone calm and comfortable. I used the Ceres Chill to prepare a bottle about 30 minutes before takeoff. My mom handled one twin while I had the other, and we were lucky to sit close to each other, making it easy to swap babies if needed.
Of course, no flight with young children is without its surprises! We had moments like all squeezing into the airplane bathroom for emergency diaper changes and dealing with lots of “happy spitting.” But overall, things went surprisingly well.Travel Tip #2: When babywearing on a flight, use a structured baby carrier. Although you have to take them out during takeoff and landing, a great trick is to lean back, loosen the straps, and keep the baby on your chest rather than waking them up by taking them out completely.
Returning Home: More Challenges in Traveling with Multiple Kids
The return journey presented a new set of challenges. This time, my husband was with us, and we had a rental car. We tackled the airport drop-off in stages: he dropped me off first with the twins, while I wore both babies and paid for a cart to carry all our luggage. Then, he returned the car and met me with our older two kids and their car seats.
Thankfully, this airport had a kid zone—an absolute lifesaver! It allowed the kids to burn off some energy before boarding. And yes, we made it through another chaotic leg of the journey!
Whew! I’m definitely in no rush to repeat this trip anytime soon. 😅
Top Tips for Traveling Across the Country with Kids
If you’re planning a cross-country flight with young kids, here are some tips that helped us make it through and could help you too:
- Stay Nourished and Hydrated: It’s easy to focus on snacks for the kids, but don’t forget yourself. You need energy to stay on top of everything!
- Wear Practical Clothing: Leggings or pants with pockets are a must. You’ll need quick access to essentials like passports, snacks, or your phone.
- Keep Milk Fresh with Ceres Chill: Instead of preparing a bottle ahead of time that’s only good for 4 hours at room temperature, use the Ceres Chill (use code ALOHA for 15% off). It’s TSA-approved and keeps milk fresh longer.
- Use Curbside Check-In or Cart Rentals: If curbside check-in isn’t an option, rent a cart to carry your luggage. Save your energy for managing the kids!
- Accept Help When It’s Offered: Don’t be a superhero. If someone offers help, take it. You’ll be thankful later.
- Be Ready for Comments: Be prepared for people to say, “Looks like you’ve got your hands full!” over and over again. A smile and nod work just fine.
- Bring a Stroller: It helps contain your older kids and holds essentials like diaper bags and other items.
- Consider Noise-Canceling Headphones for Babies: We didn’t have these, and our twins fed off each other’s cries—when one cried, the other followed. It was a bit stressful!
- Gate-Check the Stroller, Check in Car Seats: We checked in our four car seats and gate-checked the stroller to make things easier.
- Bathroom Breaks Before Boarding: Make sure everyone uses the bathroom before getting on the plane. Toddlers might still need to go mid-flight, but this helps minimize the stress.
- Stay Calm and Remember: The Plane Will Land! Keep in mind that the plane will eventually land, and you’ll reach your destination. It might be chaotic, but you will make it!
Final Thoughts on Traveling Cross-Country with Kids
Traveling with four young children, especially twins, was an adventure filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. While it was challenging, it was also filled with moments of laughter and bonding that we’ll cherish forever. The key is to stay organized, be prepared for anything, accept help, and most importantly, keep a sense of humor. Remember, no matter how tough the journey gets, the plane will eventually land, and you will reach your destination. Happy travels!
What things have helped you manage a trip with multiple kids?
At Aloha Nutrition, we offer holistic support to help mothers regain energy and thrive postpartum. Through specialty lab testing and one-on-one coaching, our team of functional Registered Dietitians, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, (and moms!) take a compassionate, root cause approach to nutrition and breastfeeding. We want you to thrive and feel good. And we want it to last.
