Traveling w/ Small Children Blankies, Diaper bags etc

I need some help from some of you regular travellers.

We are traveling with three boys 1, 4, and 9.  My nine year old has a security blanket, don't laugh.  It's small enough to pack but now my 4 year old wants to take his train blanket which is almost the size of a twinsize bed cover and bulky.  I don't want to deny one his and not the other.  Can my boys board the plane with their blankies or is it considered part of your carry on?

Also, when carrying a diaper bag, can that be counted like a purse and not a carry on? Or the baby's carryon piece?

I've only flown once with my children and at that time I only had the two.  Thanks for your help!

As far as I know, any traveller that has a ticket get to bring carry on luggage no matter their age, so your 1 year old is technically allowed to bring however many piece your specific airline allows, so the diaper bag can be baby's carry on. 

I have seen many people board planes with pillows and such, but I imagine there will be a problem with a twinsize comforter being considered a carry on item.  You should really contact your airline as each one's rules are different. 

As far as I know, any traveller that has a ticket get to bring carry on luggage no matter their age, so your 1 year old is technically allowed to bring however many piece your specific airline allows, so the diaper bag can be baby's carry on. 

I agree, we have always packed a carry on for our son, first trip was when he was 5 months old and have been on 7 US- UK flights since, no problem what so ever bringing on a bag for him and his toys and blanket and everything else that you need with children.

If you can get the 4 year-old's blanket into a carry on size bag, it'll be fine. Each kid and adult is allowed at least one piece of carry on and sometimes more. The airlines have loosened up a bit on this. So call your airline.

However, you might want to see if your kids both would be willing to 'send their blankies on an adventure' and try to pack them in the normal luggage. If you make this part of the 'fun' of traveling, it might work. You can talk about how the luggage is loaded into the plane, how it's kept in cargo and gets to go on the luggage conveyors, etc.

Just thought I'd throw that idea out there!

My nine year old has a security blanket, don't laugh. 

For got to mention as well.  My 3 year old has a Security fire truck wont leave the house let alone the country with out it.  And it isn't one of those small ones.  sirens, ladders and a fire chief.  So a blanket would be a great change if I can get him hooked on one of those.

We had Jean's nappy bag be her carryon in December with no issues.