Airplane bathrooms and a sensitive child

[msmama]

My son is an awesome flyer, but our flights have always been short enough to make it without a bathroom break.

Not sure if we can make it 6 hours on our upcoming flight. He's got some sensory issues and even I get freaked out in an airplane bathroom. I don't feel like there's enough room for me to go in with him (unless there is a handicapped accessable one and I don't feel like I've seen them on all planes, which doesn't seem right) and I'm fairly certain he won't go in by himself (he'll be holding his ears which will make everything else difficult, lol).

Any advice or tricks? We're flying SW if that makes a difference.

 

[nalajms]

Yeah, the bathrooms are tiny! Obviously have him go right before boarding. Cut down on liquids during the flight.

And go in with him. Maybe get some special wipes? temp tattoos or stickers that you can only put on after going?

It helps if he sleeps too!

 

[kohlby]

I've taken a child into the airplane bathroom before even though it wasn't handicapped accessible. If the child is young enough, squeezing in has always worked for us. However, if it won't work for you, you could tell your child not to worry about flushing, and you would come in when he was done to flush it. That way, there's one less noise to worry about. Will he wear headphones, earplugs, or earbuds? You could either do the earmuffs that block out noises or wear ear buds with music if you have something like an ipod. My eldest wouldn't wear any of those but for some reason felt that a winter hat pulled over his ears helped. Logically, this didn't really help the sound - but he thought it did, so we did that.

When all else fails - bribery! With two kids with SPD, there's been times that I had to resort to this with new situations. A special treat after he goes might help him be up for the challenge more. We've used ring pops far more times than I can count for my youngest as a bribe or to have him focus on the food more than the thing he didn't like.

 

[Gillyrose779]

If you are both small you may both be able to fit.

Does he have headphones and a music play, ipad, etc...
The engines are pretty loud back there. If you could just wear headphones with a sound he enjoys I think that would help immensely.

 

[mjkacmom]

I know I've been in there with kids that age. The only "scary" part is the flushing. Just have him wash up and exit, and then you flush.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

We bought my son some noise protection ear muffs for our last trip to Disney. They make kids size ones. He wore them in all the park bathrooms which can be very loud, and on some of the noisier rides like Thunder Mountain. They were a total lifesaver! I would recommend for the airplane bathroom and for inside the parks.

 

[LovesTimone]

My son is an awesome flyer, but our flights have always been short enough to make it without a bathroom break.

Not sure if we can make it 6 hours on our upcoming flight. He's got some sensory issues and even I get freaked out in an airplane bathroom. I don't feel like there's enough room for me to go in with him (unless there is a handicapped accessable one and I don't feel like I've seen them on all planes, which doesn't seem right) and I'm fairly certain he won't go in by himself (he'll be holding his ears which will make everything else difficult, lol).

Any advice or tricks? We're flying SW if that makes a difference.

Talk to him about it 1st, in a positive way. Let him know that the air planes have special restroom, they are small, but super cool like in a space ship or whatever is close to something he might be interested in. If possible find some pictures or a book that talks about flying. Practice when you are out shopping, reminding him, and letting him tell you what happens. Call the airline so that you know if there is a handicapped accessible restroom or speak to the flight attendant or someone at the desk to help you along. Most of all you have to be calm and cool he will know/sense if you are apprehensive at all about this.

 

[poohfriend77]

I just wanted to warn you that you can't stand directly outside the bathroom at the front of the plane. I didn't think DD and I would both fit (Plus I'm a bit claustrophobic!), so I thought I'd stand just outside so she could yell if she needed help. I also didn't want her to lock the door (and possibly not be able to unlock it), so I told her I'd make sure no one came in.

The flight attendants would not let me stand so close to the cockpit, I had to stand back by the front row of seats. It's understandable, but not something that occurred to me beforehand. So maybe head to the back of the plane if you think you'll stand outside the door.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I just wanted to warn you that you can't stand directly outside the bathroom at the front of the plane. I didn't think DD and I would both fit (Plus I'm a bit claustrophobic!), so I thought I'd stand just outside so she could yell if she needed help. I also didn't want her to lock the door (and possibly not be able to unlock it), so I told her I'd make sure no one came in.

The flight attendants would not let me stand so close to the cockpit, I had to stand back by the front row of seats. It's understandable, but not something that occurred to me beforehand. So maybe head to the back of the plane if you think you'll stand outside the door.

If you're flying on most airlines (not Southwest), you won't be able to use the lavatories at the front of the plane anyway, as they are reserved for first/business class. Even so, the flight attendants on your flight were being ridiculous; many would have allowed you to stand outside the door waiting for a child.

Some planes do have handicapped lavatories, although these are usually found on larger planes and you don't see them that often. I agree that headphones or ear muffs are a good idea. You could also leave the door slightly cracked open and stand right next to the opening. Get your son prepared; six hours is a long time!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

if seatbelt sign is on, most likely you will not be allowed out of seats to use bathroom. have been on flights over 5 hours where it seemed like it was on most of trip

 

[msmama]

Thanks for the advice everyone! And the tip about the front of the plane bathrooms - it's something I KNOW, but probably would've forgotten about at the time.

I thought I remember lights in the bathroom only coming on if you lock the door - am I misremembering? If I can just stand outside with the ability to peek in, I think he'd do okay (and then wash hands with an open door).

 

[NicholeB630]

If your child is small enough you can fit hopefully both of you. I know I fit in with my daughter 5 on a flight from VA to CA. Def had to use bathroom on that flight. Changing sons diaper was the real issue lol. Anyways like others say the front bathroom and even the bath the way the doors open you can probably leave it cracked enough and stand right in front so you can see your son but no one else. That may be what other people meant by that. Good luck. It def is stressful flying with kids.

 

[Best Aunt]

The weird thing about using the bathroom on an airplane is that your sense of balance is off. If someone wasn't used to it, I would think they might get startled while in the bathroom and drop the ipod in the toilet. So I wouldn't go for that option.

(I hope you don't think I'm being insensitive to your child. I know adults who have dropped their cell phones in toilets in their own houses. I would think there would be an even bigger likelihood of a similar incident for someone using the bathroom on a plane for the first time.)

 

[esquared221]

My daughter is 7 and has some mild sensory processing issues as well and we had this come up last fall when we flew from NH to San Diego to see DH who was out there for work. Because she's 7 (well, 6 at the time) I didn't think I would fit in the tiny bathroom with her and she'd never used it alone before. I was going to squeeze in there anyway but little miss independent wouldn't hear of it. We also fly SW and even though we used the lavatory at the back of the plane the flight attendant wouldn't let me hang out outside the door either (maybe the seat belt light was on, I cant remember exactly). Luckily, DD bravely went and when she had difficulty with the flusher the flight attendant helped her. I was really impressed with her because she usually freaks out over things that seem like not a big deal to most people. I'd recommend going to the back of the plane when families board (after the A group). You'll be close to the bathroom which should help take some of the anxiety out of the bathroom-using experience. The only bummer with that is you are some of the last people to get off. Good luck!