Strange question-Where do you change a "dirty" diaper on an airplane?

[DVC Sadie]

OP - use the restroom changing table or ask the attendants for their opinions on what to do if your plane does not have a changing table and bring some disposable changing pads with you to put on the changing table.



I couldn't agree with you more! Our DD had BM's on both flights last Fall and I changed her in the plane's restroom and I plan to do so again in a few weeks when we fly if she has BM's during the flights, even though she is tall for her age and will most likely be cramped and uncomfy for a few minutes. I'd rather deal with that than risk possibly making someone else sick from any feces that may get on the seat.

I know how tight those lavatories can be, especially trying to change an older or larger child.

I guess I just don't want to see anyone getting sick (especially a person who is immune deficient) from the actions taken by a previous person on a prior flight.

 

[wmharley]

we should ban people from coughing without covering up, or sneezing too... No passing gas for you!

better yet, all smelly Europeans (and stateside folks) should be banned.

 

[NotUrsula]

There is absolutely no excuse for changing a nappy (especially not a BM one) on the seat.

I can think of one (only one, mind you).

When the seatbelt sign is expected to stay on for the forseeable future, the issue of being inconsiderate is one of degree. Is it better to quickly change Jr. at your seat and have people have to deal with the odor for 3 minutes or so before it is contained, or is it better to let Jr. marinate and let the odor waft around for what could be several hours? (Not to mention having Jr. develop diaper rash and start screaming because of the discomfort.)

My rule is this: If it happens at cruising altitude while the seat belt light is on, I give it 15 minutes. If the light hasn't gone off in that much time (and the turbulence is not so bad that it's prohibitive), then I pull out a big changing pad to protect myself and the upholstery and I change the diaper as quickly as humanly possible; getting it bagged and put away ASAP.

I've been on 7-hour flights where the seatbelt sign has stayed illuminated for the entire flight -- when that happens your normal behavior has to be rethought sometimes.

 

[deva]

In the bathroom and only in the bathroom. Too nasty otherwise.

Germs, smell - yuck! You need to go to the bathroom or ask a flight attendant where you should go if there is not a changing table in the restroom.

 

[waltskids]

I can think of one (only one, mind you).

When the seatbelt sign is expected to stay on for the forseeable future, the issue of being inconsiderate is one of degree. Is it better to quickly change Jr. at your seat and have people have to deal with the odor for 3 minutes or so before it is contained, or is it better to let Jr. marinate and let the odor waft around for what could be several hours? (Not to mention having Jr. develop diaper rash and start screaming because of the discomfort.)

My rule is this: If it happens at cruising altitude while the seat belt light is on, I give it 15 minutes. If the light hasn't gone off in that much time (and the turbulence is not so bad that it's prohibitive), then I pull out a big changing pad to protect myself and the upholstery and I change the diaper as quickly as humanly possible; getting it bagged and put away ASAP.

I've been on 7-hour flights where the seatbelt sign has stayed illuminated for the entire flight -- when that happens your normal behavior has to be rethought sometimes.

My question is... would you change the dirty diaper in your row if you were seated next to a stranger, or only if your family occupies the entire row?

 

[halikatak]

Always in the bathroom. I always change her right before boarding and put on a lot of diaper cream - just in case.

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

I'm sorry, but I disagree with changing on the seat. I have a 20 month old and we just got back from Disney. We had a girl about my son's age behind us who obviously had a huge BM and they changed it on the seat and the smell was awful!!!! My husband was literally gagging. Our plane had a changing table, and yes, it is tough, but we used it bc we wanted to be considerate of others and dealt with it. And no, my DS did not like it either but he endured using it for a few minutes.

There is absolutely no excuse for changing a nappy (especially not a BM one) on the seat. It is thoughtless to the people around you, selfish and disgusting. Regardless of whether you think the changing table in the bathroom is too small or not that is the place to do it. I have changed my dd in them until she was toilet trained at around 27 months. Yes they can be small but you make do. If there is no change table in any toilet (I have never been faced with this) then by all means ask a crew member but never just assume the seat is the place to do it.

Sorry - I usually temper my opinions to be calm and considerate on these boards but this is the one topic that really sets me off!!!

I agree with pp...you should use the changing table in the restroom. Common courtesy to be respectful of your fellow travelers. We had my dd on a 15 hour flight when she was 21 months, so we needed to change her several times. It was a bit cramped, but we managed just fine (and I even had dh come in to help me one time because she was being such a wiggle worm). Just check with flight attendants when you board so you know where you need to go.

All of the above! It's is so nasty to change on the seat. Have some respect people. I have always managed to change my kids in the little bitty changing table and others can too. Easy? no. Doable? yes.

 

[bumbershoot]

I can think of one (only one, mind you).

When the seatbelt sign is expected to stay on for the forseeable future, the issue of being inconsiderate is one of degree.

I've been on 7-hour flights where the seatbelt sign has stayed illuminated for the entire flight -- when that happens your normal behavior has to be rethought sometimes.

Hmm. IMO if the light is on, it's on for a reason. And that reason is a reason I'm not going to be letting a baby be in the changing position, b/c it would feel too dangerous.

If the light is on for THAT long, call the flight attendant and ask what can be done, if there's any way the pilot just forgot the light (LOL), etc etc.

 

[Cinderellabride]

I was actually going to ask the same question. I haven't been on an airplane since I was 17, and I am pretty sure I have never been in an airplane bathroom. I hate public bathrooms as it is, nevermind an airplane one (especially when I was a teenager, after being pregnant twice, I've somewhat gotten over the whole public bathroom thing, ). I also did not think the bathrooms were big enough for a changing table. I am also sure I will need to change at least one of my kids while on the plane (they will be 7 months and 21 months) because my oldest usually poops a couple times in the morning and our flight is early in the morning. Fortunately for me my DH will probably do it because he always does it in public bathrooms cause I hate trying to hold everything and manuever everything since there never seems to be a clean place to put stuff down. Yeah I have an awesome DH!

ETA: I don't think I actually thought of changing them on the seat, but I don't think it's the worst thing ever if you put a blanket down, as some are suggesting.

 

[Disneyforus]

I was so incredibly embarassed but I did change my then 18mos olds bomb on the seat next to me. We had the whole 3 seats to ourselves, and I knew there was no room to change him in the bathroom so I battled it there. I hated doing it that way, I was so afraid of offending someone with the smell but there was no way I would make him sit in it either. I did make sure I had little smelly bags to dispose of them in so the smell cleared quickly. I didn't even think of this with our upcoming flight and my new 18mos old. I guess I pray she doesn't have one while we are enroute.

That's exactly what happened to us with our toddler. The stewardess was very nice and brought a blanket to lay down on the seat to change him on, and then she took the blanket away when we were done. There were no other options for us either. I asked what we should do and that is what the stewardess reccomended. I think the brief smell of changing a diaper is a lot less offensive than a kids sitting in a smelly diaper. EWW...

 

[CLR4321]

I have changed diapers in an empty row in the back of the plane (very empty flight), on a changing table in the restroom, and also on the toilet lid in a bathroom with no changing area and no empty rows. I just laid down a blanket across the toilet and did it as quickly as possible. I did have to leave the door open to do it because I couldn't do it with the door shut due to lack of room. I never could do the lap diaper changing, I tried once to see if I could do it, and couldn't get the diaper on right at all. Luckily I was just at home, so it wasn't a big deal...I just wanted to see if i could pull off that trick. Don't worry though...if all else fails, ask the flight attendants for their opinion on the best place to change a quick diaper.

 

[squirrlygirl]

just ask the flight attendant. When we needed to change dd I asked, and they were SO nice about it! The attendant cleared the restroom, readied the changing "table" and then put it away when we were done. He said beforehand if the restroom didn't have one (not all planes do) that I could go to the back of the plane and they'd put down a blanket for me. The attendant's area at the front was off-limits due to restrictions put in place after 9/11.

And I agree with the poster that said bring ziplocs

 

[wmharley]

if I cannot use the bathroom, and we put down a changing pad (and we both tag team our DS so he doesn't squirm or spray), if you gotta do it, it has to be done.

 

[seashoreCM]

Many times you can change Baby in the airplane rest room with the door open and part of you sticking out.

 

[kevschickee]

In the bathroom and only in the bathroom. Too nasty otherwise.

I agree. People eat at those seats and it would be rude to change a diaper around them.