changing diapers on a plane

[dnlsmith]

Is there a place to change diapers in the bathroom on a plane?

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

I guess I've been fairly lucky - I think I only had to change my son on a plane once and no there wasn't a good place to do it. Some planes have a pull down shelf above the toilet but this one didn't so I just had to make do. Maybe you could call the airline directly if you knew what kind of plane you'd be on.

 

[jellybeans0607]

I've never seen anywhere. Well maybe if you explained the situation to the flight attendants they could let you use one of their spaces.

I've never had to change a diaper on a plane.

Maybe if you posted this on the transportation board they would have some crafty ideas.

 

[Miss LD]

In the bathroom.
I know this because I changed my baby on my lap (on a chnge pad and it was not poopy) and I got told off. then they announced it. oops.

 

[alyssa810]

I had to change my son for the 1st time on a flight last month...there was a changing table that flipped down in the front lav. It was terribly cramped and not a fun experience, but he made a stinky poopy and I didn't want him to have to sit in his stench, not to mention the for the folks around us.

 

[sunnyday123]

I just want to thank you for having the foresight to ask this question. On our flight last month to Orlando from Philly, I had to sit next to Isaiah of the Crappy Diaper. He kicked his legs the Entire Flight, knocking over my rum and coke onto DD, who then smelled like rum for the rest of the day.

She still smelled better than Isaiah.

 

[sisaaliyah]

When we flew with DS the plane we were on didn't have room in the bathroom so the flight attendants gave me one of the blankets to lay down on the floor in there area in the back of the plane to change him. Then they were just going to throw the blanket out afterwards. As I was finishing changing DS another mom was waiting with her child to be changed. I think they had her use the same blanket.

 

[dnlsmith]

Im glad I asked this question I just figured that they are used to people needing a place to change them so they must have one somewhere.

I will be sure to bring a disposable changing pad and then ask the flight attendant ahead of time. Our flight is over 7 hours with one stop and we have a 2 year old and a 4 month old so I'm sure we will need to change them sometime.

 

[maxy mouse]

I do not recommend trying to change a diaper unless it is a must. (read stink or a massive amount of liquid), Just change the baby as close to flight time as possible using an overnight diaper and hope it lasts. If the chage has to be done please use the lav.

 

[SLK1]

Most planes do not have changing tables in the bathrooms. It's something that should be changed on all planes because more and more people fly with young children (although with the cost of flying what it is, that is probably changing, but at the same time, if you spend so much money on a ticket, the very least they can do is provide the little fold-down tables!). I have changed my baby in my lap and in the seat next to me. I don't see the big deal. I put a pad down, and frankly, those seats aren't that clean to begin with, so to fuss about that is ridiculous. If people give you a hard time, ask them if you would rather let the kid sit in the stink that will permeate the aircraft, or take three minutes to change the diaper so everyone is happy. It's as simple as that. There are plenty of hand sanitizers and sanitizing wipes around so that it's perfectly clean to do.

 

[sunnyday123]

I do not recommend trying to change a diaper unless it is a must. (read stink or a massive amount of liquid), Just change the baby as close to flight time as possible using an overnight diaper and hope it lasts. If the chage has to be done please use the lav.

Totally agree. Having flown next to a kid who's parents did not acknowledge the kid smelled like a sewer, please please please change any diapers in need on the plane. However, doing this in the seat next to you is not only unsanitary, but rude.

 

[MJAJmom]

I've changed lots of diapers on the plane. I always wait until the last minute to board the plane and change their diaper before boarding. Some airlines have a small pulldown board in the tiny bathroom, however many do not. When my boys were infants, I've changed a wet diaper both in his seat or on my lap. At toddler age, we've gone into the bathroom for a standing change. For poo diapers, I try to go to the bathroom or to the back of the plane. I've found empty rows to lie them down to change. Face it, dirty smelly diapers are no fun for anyone but you just do you best, be fast -- not much else you can do.

 

[SLK1]

Totally agree. Having flown next to a kid who's parents did not acknowledge the kid smelled like a sewer, please please please change any diapers in need on the plane. However, doing this in the seat next to you is not only unsanitary, but rude.

How is it rude? Is it any worse than someone blowing their nose constantly? Is it any different than someone coughing and hacking next to you? No. Poor baby needs a diaper change, there is nowhere to do it - but the FLOOR (disgusting) - so guess what? It's the seat...with a changing pad, of course. Many of us moms have mastered, yes, mastered, the skill of changing quickly, neatly, and quietly - many times it's in my lap. I certainly don't sling poop or anything, and we use covers and wipes generously!

 

[sunnyday123]

How is it rude? Is it any worse than someone blowing their nose constantly? Is it any different than someone coughing and hacking next to you? No. Poor baby needs a diaper change, there is nowhere to do it - but the FLOOR (disgusting) - so guess what? It's the seat...with a changing pad, of course. Many of us moms have mastered, yes, mastered, the skill of changing quickly, neatly, and quietly - many times it's in my lap. I certainly don't sling poop or anything, and we use covers and wipes generously!

It's rude, and as I said before unsanitary. I don't want a diaper being changed on the seat next to me, and quite frankly if you are coughing,hacking and blowing your nose, maybe you should'nt be flying. I would absolutely ask for a seat change for any of those circumstances. I've flown with an infant, and yes, have mastered the art of a quick-change myself. However, I never put a baby up on a table and changed a diaper. That would be rude as well. The OP suggested there was hand sanitizer out there to take care of anything. Quite frankly, sometimes you don't know what's in there till you open it up. And I don't want to be next to that, and wouldn't expect anyone to deal with it. There are places or things you can do to change a diaper on a plane without putting others out.

 

[maxiesmom]

Change only in the bathroom, no where else! We eat and drink in those seats people! Nor do I want to look over and see (and smell) your child's diaper. Gross! Take the 3 seconds and go to the lavatory. I can't imagine thinking it is ok to do it anywhere else.

 

[dsneygirl]

I usually ask the FA when I get on if there is a change table in the lav. It is cramped but I have done it. I have also had the FAs give me a seperate garbage bag and ask to bring it back to them so it doesn't stink up the lav.

 

[NotUrsula]

Changing a diaper (of any kind) at the seat is a major faux pas. Changing a diaper on the tray table is that major faux pas times 5, and should NEVER be done in any circumstances. The ONLY time that it is acceptable to change a diaper in a seating area (occupied or not) is when the seat belt light is on and you are dealing with a leak or serious odor issues. In that case you change the baby as quickly as possible, on your lap or standing up next to the seat, bag up the diaper in a closed plastic bag immediately, and apologize profusely to everyone around you. Most passengers would prefer that you changed the diaper rather than subject them to the odor long-term, but subjecting them to seeing the process does require an apology for the sake of good manners.

Most widebody aircraft have a changing table in the lav that is designated for disabled passengers. Most single-aisle aircraft do not have changing tables in the lavs, though there are some exceptions. The best spot for changing a diaper if there is no changing shelf (or if baby is way too big for it, which is common) is the floor area directly outside the door of the lav. Open the lav door and put your back to it with your feet holding the door open, so that you can access the toilet for dumping wastes, and also so that you can wash your hands after the change without touching the outer door handle of the lav. Lay the baby down on a changing pad on the floor facing you, and be as quick as you can.

Also note that FA's may not take a diaper from you for disposal using their hands, even if it is wrapped up and bagged. This is a regulation owing to their handing food during the flight. They can hold out a trash bag for you to dump it in.

 

[dizneedoll]

Because of the different types of aircraft and different airlines have different rules about things, I think the best thing to do would be to just the FA where they would like you to change the diaper. Bring your own diaper pad and your own ziploc bags and again ask where they would like you to dispose of the bag. I agree that changing at the seat is a no-no unless, like a PP said, you weren't allowed out of your seat...and were told by the FA that is was ok to do so.

 

[summerrluvv]

My mom was a FA on Northwest and said most of their aircraft is equipped with changing tables. Not sure about any other airline. I'm getting overnight diapers, thanks for the posted that suggested it!

I think it's absolutely disgusting to change your child in the seat. The floor on a changing pad is better than a seat next to people who are eating and drinking. Gross.

 

[SLK1]

Sorry, I'm still not going to get on the floor to change my baby, especially the floor right outside the bathroom!! Is there a more disgusting place to sit? No.

As for the person who said not to use the fold-down tray at their seat...I'm not sure anyone ever said they would do that - that is just plain gross, not to mention the tray could probably break off. I think people meant the fold-down type of changing table, like most normal restrooms have.

I think it's fine to change when/where you can - although obviously not in a restaurant - and pretty much only if you're baby is really stinky and/or leaking.

If enough of us keep changing in the seats, the airlines will get the hint and simply install changing tables in the bathrooms.