Air Travel

[Hugo Boss]

I am taking my 2 year old son to visit his grandmother next week and
will be flying for about 6.5 hours each way solo on American Airlines. This is my son's first flight. Because the flights are during the day and are fairly long, diapers will be challenge. Anyone have any advise for onboard diaper changes? My son will have his own seat and we will be seated at the bulkhead row.

[tt3]

The on-board cans have a changing flip down right above the pot. Its actually really easy since you're standing right in front of it, and hemmed in, no amount of wiggling will get out.
You've got to brace your hip on it though, we were flying through a tad bit of turbulance at the time :lol:
The best part is holding a wiggling toddler with a STINKING butt waiting in line for the can. Heee, the people in the back rows were looking at us like I was crazy!
Also bring a nuk or something else for him to chew on during take off and landing, it'll help equalize the pressure in his ears...
Oh, and bring along little bags to put clothes in in case of spills or leaks.
Good luck!

[tt3]

OH! And a hearty welcome to you as well!

[Canuck]

Oh man...you are brave! Pack more diapers and wipes in your carry-on than you think you'll need. That way if the flight is delayed, at least you won't have a wet, fussy toddler on your hands!

Change you son's diaper just before boarding time in the men's room. Should be one of those Koala Kare stations in there. Ask the Crew when you board which lav(s) have a changing table. Most planes have a semblance of a changing table in at least one bathroom....but it is a tight fit, especially for a squirmy two year old. Invest in a small plastic changing pad.

Put a complete change of clothes for the little guy, and you, in your carry-on too. Nothing inspires a diaper blow-out like cruising at 37,000 feet. (My son had the runs on our flight back from Mexico last year. It was a hell flight which required many trips to the lav and lots of pampers).

When you have to change a diaper, take off as many items of the child's clothing before you get out of your seat- -that way you just have to deal with the diaper and not too many clothes too.

My brother swears by Pullups on flights for his toddler. Might be something to consider. You could always deal with a wet one at the seat by standing him up. You might get an empty row too. Some parents find it completely acceptable to change diapers in a row of seats or in the aisle. I have seen it all. Best bet is to use the lavs!

Enjoy your trip!

[tt3]

Oh, right on Canuck! I forgot a few! an extra change of clothes OR TWO!

[Canuck]

Forgot a few more pointers:

Buy a few travel size (about 20 wipes per) cases of baby wipes (Huggies and Pampers make them). They are great for travel. You then only need to grab this and a clean diaper to go to the lav. You also might want to consider seats near the back of the aircraft. That way you don't have to worry about the aisles being blocked with service carts, in case you need to access the lav quickly, and you will avoid what tt3 said: The best part is holding a wiggling toddler with a STINKING butt waiting in line for the can. Heee, the people in the back rows were looking at us like I was crazy! Now this reminds me of my flight last year...here's me holding a foul smelling, screaming baby with the runs in one hand and a diaper and a zillion wipes in the other hand, all during turbulence...

[SAHF]

:P

You're going to be fine! Besides all the good information about how to handle the messy child..do not forget about bringing something for them to do.

My daughter brings her blanket (security blanket), some crayons and paper, stickers and an MP3 player. On the MP3 players is her favorite music (toddlers, kiddies, barney, pooh, etc).

Some quick LIGHT snacks (nothing that will upset the stomache or you will be in the lav more often than not). I found it better to give my daughter water and not juices or milk. Though it will tend her to pee a little more, it does not cause stinky diapers!

Bring on the next question!! You have a team of experts ready to serve!

:wink:

[tt3]

It was a trade off for us, we flew northwest, and you can check in 24hrs early online and reserve your seats... the ones right behind first class are nice, lots of leg room, as well as space for diaper bag and incidentals.
It was also nice seeing first class turn around and grimace when we boarded and sat :twisted: but she wasn't disruptive.

It's going to be fine!
good luck

[Hugo Boss]

WOW. Thanks for the advise. I am running out today to pick up lots of new toys at the dollar type store, and those travel cases of wipes.

I've decided I am going to board the plane at the last possible minute. I can't wait to see the looks from the road warrior business men when I bring my very energetic toddler on board! Its funny people's reactions to babies!

Anyone tried the pullup suggestion? Interesting !

Here's hoping my son actually poops prior to departure!! and hopefully I can get a Crew member to watch him when Dad needs to take a leak in the lav!

I'll let you all know how it goes and how kiddie friendly I found American Airlines.

[Golden Retriever]

Some really great advise given above. You are brave man!

I have traveled only with my wife present. Recently we traveled to Orlando and I can safely tell you the flight back was the flight from hell. We've got 2 kids in diapers. My oldest son decided to drop a load just as we settle in our seats. I think everyone on the plane could smell it. Unfortunately there wasn't time to deal with it until after takeoff. About an hour after the first change, he fills up again and is screaming. This time its Dad's turn to change him. About 10 people waiting in line at the back. I sneak into business class and change him in the lav there. Flight Attendants didn't say anything.

There will be a changing shelf thing. It is very tight with a toddler, but there is enough room. I have never believed in changing diapers at the seat, or in the aisle. Too rude. I found having a large ziplock bag with some wipes in there with a clean diaper convenient. You can then throw the used diaper and wipes in it and seal it shut for disposal and toss it. Back way more diapers, snacks and toys than you think you'll need. Delays happen too easily. Tell the Crew you are a bit nervous when you board. They can be very helpful.

You'll be fine. Enjoy it and let us know how it goes!

[Hugo Boss]

Leaving tonight...I'll let you all know how it goes...

[tt3]

Good luck!

[Remington]

Let us know how it goes. Looking forward to a good story! :D

[Hugo Boss]

All in all it went quite smoothly. Here's a brief summary for those who may be interested:

- Bulkhead seats were definitely the way to go, although a number of road warrior business men were in those seats mixed in with the parents and tots

- Boarding at the last possible minute is key. We had a 50 minute flight delay on the ground after the door closed. I was happy it wasn't 1.5 hours on the ground in my seat.

- Try and get your toddler to run around as much as possible before the flight. This way sleep will probably happen on a longer flight.

- I found American Airlines rather child unfriendly. Seems like all the Crew found babies an inconvenience. I probably would fly another carrier next time.

- I brought lots of snacks, juice boxes, raisins, cheerios, animal crackers. This proved very helpful as the airline didn't offer much. There was also no kiddy meal, so I was glad I had some jars of baby food.

- I found coloring books, picture books, magadoodle, playdoh, stickers and an electronic game were key in entertaining him.

- I found when I could chasing him down the aisle when the aisle was free a great distraction and he met some new friends.

- Diaper changes: well this probably was the biggest challenge. Both aircraft had a fold down shelf, but my guy is a big baby and the first change in there was a learning experience. I suggest you try and bring your child back there in only a diaper and shirt. Dealing with pants too with a fidgety baby is tough. You also want to only bring a clean diaper and wipes with you. There is no room to lug a diaper bag. I changed him right after takeoff on the flight out and after the meal because I thought even a damp diaper would be uncomfortable sitting so long in a seat. I thought it was too good to be true when he hadn't pooped on the flight back, but about an hour before landing he did. The business guy at the window seat could smell it, and muttered a few choice words, I won't repeat. He became agitated when I got a diaper out and placed in the seat pocket. I am sure he was thrilled we went to the lav.

He didn't cry much, just both ways on descent, probably because his ears were bugging him. He managed to sleep a few hours on both flights. The key for your trip is to be very well organized and have all the supplies!

[tt3]

Awesome advice Hugo, and glad to hear it went well for you! C'mon admit it though, there was a little chuckle in ya when the other passenger smelled the diaper!

Or is that just my sick sense of humor?
prolly... :twisted:

[mjknapp]

Yeah right, I will head some of that advice when we are flying out to Iowa to visit my parents. Thanks alot.

[Hugo Boss]

For sure it was funny. It would have been a sicker joke to have changed him in the middle seat right beside Mr. Wall Street and asked him to hold the stink bomb! 8) I think there would have been air rage though! Its funny how the sight of a diaper can make some businessmen so uncomfortable...guess they hire a Nanny when they travel or the wife does it all. Sad eh? :roll:

[Canuck]

Glad it went well Boss. Sounds like it went remarkably well, and there is a lot of great advise you posted that will help everyone. Air travel can be so stressful with little ones. We're flying this summer and I am already dreading it...

Too funny about the dirty diaper on the way back. I probably would have just waited until landing and dealt with it in the airport terminal, but an hour would be a while to pollute the cabin air! I recall my wife and I flying on a small 50 seat plane with our son and because there was no changing table in the lav nor space, she discreetly changed him on the seat. I remember the business man across the aisle freaking out. I said to him, it's only a diaper change man, relax. He complained to the Flight Attendant while she was changing him. The Flight Attendant just said there was no room in the lav. Fellow travelers can be so inconsiderate...

[mjknapp]

What a jerk, I can bet he has never even changed a diaper, let alone one on a plane.