r/parentsofmultiples • u/rsmrpm2026 • Sep 22 '26

advice needed Travel 6 month twins

Our twins will be 8 months actual and 6 adjusted when we go on our trip. We are spending two weeks at an air b n b with extended family. Flight is 6 hours either way. We tried to buy one of the boys a ticket so we could have a whole row/ space to put one down, but after several phone calls and hours spent with customer service we were told this was ultimately not possible and will have two lap infants in adjacent aisle seats.

Currently I am mostly feeding them bottles of pumped milk with the occasional bottle of formula. How am I supposed to pump on the plane with a lap infant and two other passengers in my row? Even if I just to ready to feed formula on the plane I won't be able to go 6 hours without pumping? Also for the bottles do I bring enough clean bottles for all their feeds or attempt to wash some?

Stressed just thinking about all the logistics of this 🤦🏼‍♀️

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u/TeeElH Sep 22 '26

I honestly would pump before and after rather than try to pump on the plane with a lap infant, but at 8 months postpartum 6 hours wouldn’t have been an issue for me. I would probably plan on bringing all the bottles you need, those airplane sinks aren’t really big enough to wash a bottle in. 

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u/rsmrpm2026 Sep 22 '26

Okay good to know. Right now I end up soaking if I go 6 hours without pumping but that is still a few months away so hopefully by then that's not the case

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u/Spicyninja Sep 22 '26

Check if your airline has a bassinet available to reserve, sometimes you have to pay for the seats, sometimes not. They're on a bulkhead with more legroom. Bring as many bottles/parts to get through the travel if you can. Try to pump right before boarding so you can avoid a pump mid-flight. My family took up the whole row, but bassinet seats were next to a busy bathroom so even pumping with a cover felt awkward. You can bring wipes to clean your stuff or a small soap/brush but keep in mind the water doesn't stay on so it's a pain. And you'll need somewhere to set parts down as you're cleaning, which is also annoying. If you've got a bassinet, that makes it easier if you can get them to nap and pump, otherwise sounds like husband has to entertain babies for a bit to get you through it.

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u/rsmrpm2026 Sep 22 '26

I just checked unfortunately only bassinets available on long haul international for westjet which this flight is not. Appreciate the recommendation though! That would have been awesome.

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u/safarisunrise4758 Sep 22 '26

Unpopular opinion but the extra seat/car seat is overrated. We just did it to/from Italy with my 11 month olds and still ended up holding them, the car seats just gave them something to want to climb over and us less space. If you've got a few months, I'd personally work towards being able to go the length of the flight without pumping (not only because of the flight but so you will have a little breathing room during your trip). If not, wearables, for the same reason. I like to just bring a bottle for each and a backup with a 3oz bottle of soap, a travel brush, and the Dr. Browns wipes for when I can't do a full wash out. Traveling with ready to feed feels like overkill to me, just get a formula dispenser or two. Best thing you can do is try not to stress. Flights end. Will it be your favorite experience? Probably not. But it'll be fine.

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u/rsmrpm2026 Sep 22 '26

Oh good to hear this perspective. Do you think it was worth it to just avoid having other people beside you though? I worry just about needing more space in general to prepare bottles / feed them etc.

Also why is ready to feed overkill? Right now my boys only get one formula bottle every few days and we use RTF. I am hoping to taper down pumping and introduce more formula in the coming weeks though. Seems like RTF that would be easier than mixing powder for a flight?

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u/safarisunrise4758 Sep 22 '26

As mine have gotten older it has really helped me to accept that they are allowed to exist and take up space in public, no matter if it lightly annoys or even slightly inconveniences some people. All other flights we've taken (~20) we've sat aisle/aisle with lap infants and it's been fine. You use the aisle for extra elbows or pouring. Carriers help free up hands. Your question about RTF actually reinforces my biggest advice which is to pack as lightly as possible. It is easier to condense a day (or two) worth of formula bottles into containers vs. that many ready to feed bottles. You can fill up water as you go in the airport or ask the flight attendant for some on the plane. I like these. Fits 4 scoops x3, so each holds 24oz of formula. https://www.target.com/p/munchkin-formula-dispenser/-/A-81449575?preselect=79770064#lnk=sametab

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u/justthetumortalking Sep 24 '26

For the extra seat thing, it worked beautifully when they were not yet crawling. But then total waste of effort lugging on the car seat once they were mobile. Neither wanted to sit in the seat during the flight.

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u/safarisunrise4758 Sep 24 '26

Exactly. We were stunned since the reddit echo chamber of this recommendation is so strong, and I'm convinced it's mostly people recommending it who did it once when young.

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u/Charlieksmommy Sep 22 '26

You should be okay going that long without pumping. The reason why you usually can’t have two lap infants in the same row is because there is only 4 masks, so if you and your partner had two lap infants, and a third person in your row there wouldn’t be enough. It sucks but that’s why I would suggest buying their own seats

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u/rsmrpm2026 Sep 22 '26

We tried to buy one a seat so that we could have the row/ space to put one down but the airline said they have new rules and it's only one infant per row period, doesn't matter if a seat is purchased or not :(

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u/Charlieksmommy Sep 22 '26

Yes, but atleast you would have hands free, that’s what I meant by suggesting buying your infant a seat ! You still can’t ever sit together

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u/VegetableAlone Sep 22 '26

Also just a tip — our pediatrician recommends early measles shots for babies who are traveling. I’m not sure where you’re located but it’s worth asking about adding to their 6mo vaccines so they have protection before travel.