tips re: changing in airport/on airplane?

suzshack

hi all,

we're flying for the first time with Zoe (10 wks) tomorrow.  I haven't changed her in a public restroom yet, any advice?  or any other (air) travel tips?

TIA! 

funchicken

Every airport I've been to has those family bathrooms, and I find them really convenient for changing DD between flights.  They're roomy and you can wheel your stroller right in.  The bathrooms on the plane are horrendously small and cramped, so avoid changing her in there if at all possible

Make sure you have a changing pad because the restroom changing stations are not always super clean.

carladillon

We are flying Saturday!  We fly from Tampa to Spokane, WA and DO NOT change planes so no family restrooms for us!  I read somewhere that if you have to use an airplane bathroom, to sit on the toilet and change the babe on your lap.  Now....LO is almost ten months old and I don't see that happening for us.  We've got a touch-down in Denver but don't get off the plane. So, people will just have to deal if she's got a load because I'm going to have to change her in our seats! 

Peppernut

The airport changing rooms are nice and roomy, and I pack a changing mat in the diaper bag to cover the shelf thing.  The airplane bathrooms are a huge PITA, very cramped!  It's do-able, but if you can avoid it, do so.

I'd advise trying to nurse or feed her during takeoff and landing, if they let you, the pressure changes are no fun! 

fauxshelley

You can change the baby in the plane's restroom.  There is a tray that folds down right over the toilet.  It is tiny in there, but you can make it work.  I only took a diaper, wipes, changing pad and an extra outfit.  Everything else stayed in the bag under my seat. 

mtnrider

Peppernut:

The airport changing rooms are nice and roomy, and I pack a changing mat in the diaper bag to cover the shelf thing.  The airplane bathrooms are a huge PITA, very cramped!  It's do-able, but if you can avoid it, do so.

I'd advise trying to nurse or feed her during takeoff and landing, if they let you, the pressure changes are no fun! 

Air Canada is the only airline I've ever flown with that doesn't let you nurse during takeoff and landing, they have this ridiculous rule that you have to hold the baby over your shoulder.  I did it anyway though and the flight attendants didn't say anything.  US airlines don't have that rule anyway.

mtnrider

Flying with a 10 week old is easy.  If you plan to bring your carseat, don't check it as luggage, ask at the gate if there are any empty seats and they will move you so you get a free seat for your baby, much easier than holding her on your lap the whole time.  If the flight is full they will gate check your carseat.

mtnrider

carladillon:

We are flying Saturday!  We fly from Tampa to Spokane, WA and DO NOT change planes so no family restrooms for us!  I read somewhere that if you have to use an airplane bathroom, to sit on the toilet and change the babe on your lap.  Now....LO is almost ten months old and I don't see that happening for us.  We've got a touch-down in Denver but don't get off the plane. So, people will just have to deal if she's got a load because I'm going to have to change her in our seats! 

I've flown a bunch of times with DS all different ages and I can honestly say that 10 months is a very difficult age for flying because they're too old to sit still, they just want to be crawling all over the plane!  Bring a DVD player with Baby Einstein videos and if you have an iphone load the app called "Peekaboo Barn", that should keep your LO entertained for a few minutes at least.  Bring lots of yummy snacks like yogurt melts.  They usually don't poop on planes anyway so you probably won't need to change her on the plane.

busybea

Like Shelley mentioned, there should be at least one bathroom with a changing table.  Don't get me wrong, it's still a PITA, because of the cramped quarters, but doable.  Might be easier to request for a seat with a basinette for LO to sleep and diaper changes too.

funchicken

carladillon:

We are flying Saturday!  We fly from Tampa to Spokane, WA and DO NOT change planes so no family restrooms for us!  I read somewhere that if you have to use an airplane bathroom, to sit on the toilet and change the babe on your lap.  Now....LO is almost ten months old and I don't see that happening for us.  We've got a touch-down in Denver but don't get off the plane. So, people will just have to deal if she's got a load because I'm going to have to change her in our seats! 

The only time S pooped while in flight was when she was 3 months old.  Once she was a little older, she'd be in travel mode and usually wouldn't poop until we got to our hotel/accommodations.  Good luck!  S is super-active in general, but she always slept on the plane when we traveled.