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

[kandb]

We are flying down next week and the flight is 2 1/2 hours. Just wondering if my 7 month old son has a BM, which can be rather messy, where would I change him on an airplane? I haven't flown in a long time but I doubt there is room for a changing station in the bathroom, which I remember being as big as a closet. Thanks, Linda

 

[cogero]

I have flown Delta, Jet Blue and AA with my son and have changed him in the bathroom there has always been a changing table that folds down. He hated it because it vibrated.

 

[AmyBWV99]

The changing tables are very small and typically hang over the toilets, . I try to change right before we board and while I have used the bathroom changers I've also made DH get up from his seat and laid hte baby in his seat with his changing pad from the diaper bag under him. This has worked better overall for us. OUr kidslets as babies never would stay still past about 5 months to be changed and trying to wrestle them in the bathroom was a nightmare.

 

[dis-happy]

In my lap, as discreetly as possible. Helps if you have a family member sitting next to you.

Tip: bring some quart sized ziplock bags. Great for controlling dirty diapers or anything else messy or smelly the baby might produce!

 

[tlh0726]

DD was 8 week old when we flew to Vegas from MD. No changing table in the restroom. I told the stewardess (at the rear of the plane) that the baby had a messy one and asked if I could use their area (being larger) to lay her down on the floor and change her. I could not use their area but I could use the aisle in front of the restroom. So one stood at the last row of seats so no one could get past and the other was behind me waiting in their area until I was finished.

I would call the airline to see if they have baby friendly changing areas on the plane

 

[auralia]

on the empty seat next to me and once when my daughter was very little on my lap i have only been in 1 plane w/ a changing table i think and i take on average 12 flights a year i'd guess

 

[wmharley]

we usually change prior... but if we have to, we've changed in the seat for #1, and if the #2 is at the end of the flight, will change when everyone gets off and we do it in the seat. We did use the bathroom table once...

 

[Luv Bunnies]

If there's no changing table in the restroom, ask the flight attendant where they would prefer you change the baby.

 

[sshaw10060]

We once had a major blow-out on a flight and the flight attendants laid down a blanket in the area in front of the bathrooms and let us change right there. They were very nice about it. Normally I just do it in the bathroom. If you do use the bathroom just ask the flight attendant which bathroom has a changing table since on some planes not all do.

 

[RadioFanatic]

The changing tables are very small and typically hang over the toilets, . I try to change right before we board and while I have used the bathroom changers I've also made DH get up from his seat and laid hte baby in his seat with his changing pad from the diaper bag under him. This has worked better overall for us. OUr kidslets as babies never would stay still past about 5 months to be changed and trying to wrestle them in the bathroom was a nightmare.

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.

 

[barnaby1]

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!!!

 

[SalandJeff]

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.

 

[okeydokey]

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

 

[waltskids]

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

I agree I would never, ever change a diaper on an airplane seat. I agree with pp's that it is rude and disgusting. When DS was in diapers and now with DD, we always changed them right before take off and then only if they had a BM, I would take baby into the bathroom and change the diaper in there. Bring ziploc baggies to hold the diaper so the smell doesn't penetrate the whole plane. I honestly don't know how a person could change a smelly diaper right near other guests

 

[2princesses2princes]

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.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Come on people, please don't change diapers on the seat. Good grief, try to be considerate of other passengers.
It's not just the smell but even those who try to be careful can still leave excrement on the seats. Not a good thing for anyone, especially the unsuspecting person who is lucky enough to get that seat on the next flight.

 

[Dopey19]

I've been on numerous flights with my daughter and have always managed to change her in the bathroom. She has always been tall for her age so after 1.5 years old she couldn't lie down on the changing table and we had to do it standing up. She would scream and hated the process but out of consideration for others we found a way to make it work.

I have also been on a flight were parents decided to wait until the plane landed to change their son. He stunk for over an hour; it was horrible.

Its a managable situation, really.

 

[wmharley]

i needed to tell the guy who vomited in the aisle in front of me that he needed to vomit in the bathroom then...

 

[2binak]

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.

Come on people, please don't change diapers on the seat. Good grief, try to be considerate of other passengers.
It's not just the smell but even those who try to be careful can still leave excrement on the seats. Not a good thing for anyone, especially the unsuspecting person who is lucky enough to get that seat on the next flight.

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.

 

[DVC Sadie]

i needed to tell the guy who vomited in the aisle in front of me that he needed to vomit in the bathroom then...

I agree!
Thats why they have "vomit bags" in the flap on the seat in front of you (general you). If the person has time to make it to the bathroom before vomiting, all the better for everyone.