Where Can You Change a Baby on an Airplane?

[scanne]

Although our flight is short, IF I have to change my baby's diaper while in flight, where do you do this? Are there changing facilities on an aircraft? Any info or tips are greatly appreciated.

My game plan for now is to put him in a fresh diaper right before we board the plane and change him as soon as we land in Orlando. Thanks!

 

[Sabo]

I was on a Delta flight last weekend and they had a changing table in the restroom.

 

[melk]

I once had to change a diaper at the seat (DH got up and stood in the aisle). We've flown several times and that was the only time I changed a diaper on a plane. I make sure to put them in an extra absorbent diaper (like a nighttime one) right before we get on, and pray for no poop while en route !

 

[ducklite]

Most of the planes now have a pull down changing table in the restroom.

Of course I'd suggest bring your own changing pad, and a zip lock for the dirty.

Anne

 

[Cameo]

All Northwest planes we've flown on do not have the changing table in the restroom. We had to change our daughter on the seat once. Not fun, but you do what you have to do.

 

[4greatboys]

SWA does not have changing tables on any of the flights I have been on. Our last trip to Orlando I asked the flight attendant where would be the best spot and I had to change the baby on the floor (i had a pad) by the restroom and near the flight attendant seats. It was only a 2 hour flight and I had changed his diaper right before we boarded but I guess when you gotta go you gotta go.

 

[MandaMom]

I too have changed my daughter in the seats while my husband waited in the aisle. I find the bathrooms usually too cramped. I have only seen the baby changers/koala changers on the newer planes. Always a good idea anyway(as ducklite suggested) to bring extra empty ziplocs. For wet clothes, dirty diapies etc. The flight attendant would be the best ones to ask because maybe only certain bathrooms will have the diaper changing tables.

MandaMom

 

[crisi]

The floor back by the flight attendants.

Once your kid gets to be a certain size, there is no way you could do it in the bathroom - simply not enough room. And we fly Northwest, no changing tables.

I know it isn't pleasant for the other flyers, but airplanes were not configured for diaper changes.

 

[dijid]

DH and I are very proficient in "lap changing". You sit on the toilet (with the lid down) and lay the changing pad on your lap and the child on top, with their head down by your knees. Make sure you've laid out the wipes ahead of time so you're not fumbling for them. Until your child is about 2, this will work well. I always bring a few grocery store plastic bags in my diaper bag so I can put the diaper in there before throwing it away. And since I'm in the bathroom while changing, I can wash my hands.

Of course, we flew once where DS dirtied his diaper right before take off and we couldn't get out of our seats, so we used the lap method in our seats. If he wasn't so prone to diaper rash, I might have let him sit in it until we could hit the restroom. Flying with kids is always a challenge. I often wonder why we continue to do it LOL!

 

[Jen117]

I have changed my baby on Northwest flights in the bathroom. The changing table was hidden. It is a drop down panel above the toilet. I think there was a mini picture of a baby on it. It dropped down and was basically a table. It worked fine for me, but my baby was small at the time. Toddlers might be more difficult to change in the bathroom.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

DH and I are also proficient lap changers! Also, the seats the flight attendants sit in a oretty big (two together sit there) on some planes. I have had flight attendants let me use their seat before. It works like a charm. I have also seen the drop down tables in the restrooms, but they are small!

Also, if the diaper is just wet, you can try the standing diaper change. It takes some practice, but it can work!

 

[sters]

My advise to you is to change your child's pants just prior to boarding, whether he or she needs it or not, and then change it immediately after deplaning... and hope for the best in between! I've travelled a few times with babies and, fortunatley, I've never had the pleasure of changing a diaper on the plane.

 

[crazywig]

on our trip last january, poor dh changed a poopy diaper TWICE in the southwest bathroom, once going down and once coming home. with NO changing table.

and ds was 9 months and about 28lbs at the time not a small baby.

he said he changed him on the toilet...not sure how that worked....better him than me though..LOL

 

[BevS97]

we will have a 10 hour flight, so I expect we will have to change a couple of diapers!

I have always seen a drop down table in the toilet, not massively big, but big enough.

I've also done the lap change, it's not brilliant, but if it has to be done, then it has to be done.

Bev

 

[ahutton]

In case you don't have or run out of ziploc bags... The "sick" bags in the seat pocket in front of you make a good diaper bag - they are leak guarded and have a roll down and twist tie type closure. I've changed DD on the floor in front of the Flight Attendants seats, and when she was a little older we closed the lid on the toilet and used that to sit her on and she leaned back. Most planes that are designed for longer trips (not 737s which is what we get out of Austin) will have the fold down table in at least one of the bathrooms. I would just ask the flight attendant when you board if they have one or not and get your contingency plan ready in advance. That way if a diaper emergency comes up, or if any leaks are involved you know exactly where you are going.

My #1 tip - have a change kit ready - not the entire diaper bag. Have your wipe holder (never know how many you'll need) a clean diaper and any cream or powder you will need in a small bag or very easily accessible. I had the worst time when DD was in my lap trying to get my supplies out of my regular bag and there just was not room for it in the bathroom.