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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Changing nappies on airport seats

258 replies

KittyCoo · 30/09/2025 12:57

I don’t have any DCs yet and not planning on ttc for a few years.

I was at a mallorca airport last and the plane was about to board abd a lady changed her around 4/5mth old baby’s dirty nappy on the passenger seats. I told her that was disgusting and people have to sit there to use the bathroom opposite as there was a changing table in there. admittedly there was a big queue but not the point imo.

When I have DCs, I’d never dream of doing that, I’d always use the facilities provided in the vicinity as respect and courteousness to others. I personally believe it’s lazy parenting not to use adequate facilities available!!!

AIBU, that some parents with babies these days think they’re so entitled just like the one I’ve described above ? And AIBU for berating her actions the way I did ?

OP posts:
CrocodileJen · 30/09/2025 13:26

If there was a long line for the toilet/change room and the plane was boarding I can kind of sympathise with the mother. Yes it’s gross and far from ideal but she used a changing mat, and the alternative might have been for the nappy to leak all over her and/or the airplane seats if she had to board without changing. If she just couldn’t be arsed to walk to the toilets that’s one thing but in this situation I probably wouldn’t judge too harshly as we’ve all been there with poonamis on a plane and I can assure you it’s the worst. Was she actually changing the baby right next to your seat @KittyCoo? If not then you were definitely BU to offer your opinion.

Original poster
KittyCoo · 30/09/2025 13:23

There was facilities in the ladies and gents even so her DH could’ve gone in there at least!!!

OP posts:
Iocanepowder · 30/09/2025 13:23

Sounds like the issue here is not enough baby change facilities if there was a massive queue as you say.

Not something I would have chosen to do myself but sometimes you can get caught out. You can prepare for stuff all you like and change the baby earlier, but you can’t control when they poo.

When you have kids op you’ll be amazed at how shocking baby change facilities are.

I’ve been to a national trust place with no change facilities.

I’ve been to a pub where there are only facilities in the female toilet.

There are also many change facilities with no toilet for you.

ARichtGoodDram · 30/09/2025 13:22

I'dsave my judgement for a busy airport having a lack of changing facilities tbh.

Especially if those changing facilities were in the disabled toilet with a queue of people waiting to use them.

Mademetoxic · 30/09/2025 13:21

magmatiles · 30/09/2025 13:11

Not ideal obviously but YABU to “berate” a stressed out parent in an airport! I dare you to come back here in a few years after you’ve had kids and read your post again…

There are toilets! It's disgusting 🤢

Doingtheboxerbeat · 30/09/2025 13:21

DancefloorAcrobatics · 30/09/2025 13:16

I raised 2 DC and used to fly regularly- not once did I change a nappy on any seats in wating areas.

Honestly, a quick word to the staff and then change at the changing facilities provided would have done the trick!

This 👆. Honestly, why even have changing facilities when you can just do it anywhere.
It reminds of people peeing in alleyways when there are public toilets right there and people throwing litter when there's a bin also, right there.

Mademetoxic · 30/09/2025 13:20

Mumstheword1983 · 30/09/2025 13:01

Never done it but also wouldn't have berated her. I have in emergencies had to change nappies in the boot of the car and felt the stress of passers by staring so I have sympathy if it was an emergency.

Boot of a car is completely different to a public place where people sit down and put their things. It's disgusting.

SummerEve · 30/09/2025 13:20

themerchentofvenus · 30/09/2025 13:06

One day when/if you have kids, you will regret criticising that woman.

Why? It’s nothing to do with being a parent and everything to do with respect and decency.

FanofLeaves · 30/09/2025 13:18

DancefloorAcrobatics · 30/09/2025 13:16

I raised 2 DC and used to fly regularly- not once did I change a nappy on any seats in wating areas.

Honestly, a quick word to the staff and then change at the changing facilities provided would have done the trick!

Don’t be silly. By the time you found a staff member to dob her into it would have been done and dusted. What are they going to do, put her on a No Fly list?

Original poster
KittyCoo · 30/09/2025 13:18

I regret saying what I said abd probably should’ve kept my mouth shut!!

@HedwigEliza and @HRchatter wow I’m amazed we have similar views!!!

Everybody else, I appreciate your opinions and maybe I’ll change my mind in a few years . But to berate me as I haven’t had children yet and say that I don’t understand, I do find a bit degrading

OP posts:
HannahHamptonsGloves · 30/09/2025 13:17

FanofLeaves · 30/09/2025 13:11

To be fair, pre solids it’s not the same stink 😅

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Yep this was my thought. A tiny baby, only having milk is quite a different scenario to a 16 month old.

When I read the title of the post I did instinctively think 'oh no, not ok' but your attitude, @KittyCoo, has made me side with the mum, sorry.

DancefloorAcrobatics · 30/09/2025 13:16

I raised 2 DC and used to fly regularly- not once did I change a nappy on any seats in wating areas.

Honestly, a quick word to the staff and then change at the changing facilities provided would have done the trick!

HRchatter · 30/09/2025 13:14

FanofLeaves · 30/09/2025 13:11

To be fair, pre solids it’s not the same stink 😅

Show quote history

It’s not as bad and I do appreciate when it’s your own child you’d probably wear it like perfume but to everybody else it stinks.

Doingtheboxerbeat · 30/09/2025 13:14

Mumstheword1983 · 30/09/2025 13:12

The leaking nappy perhaps 🤣 we've all been there!

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Fair enough, although, it paints an even worse picture, so thanks for that 😭.

HedwigEliza · 30/09/2025 13:14

KittyCoo · 30/09/2025 13:07

It was dirty yes abd she used a changing ma abd was quick!! I’m not blaming the child for one moment, it was her attitude to think airport seats were the bathroom!! Yes I understand with young children you have to act quickly but it’s about being considerate to everyone else in the vicinity

You’ll hear the usual bleating chorus about not judging her. I judge the hell out of anyone with non-existent standards, no courtesy for other passengers and no regard for their own child’s dignity or privacy.

Mumstheword1983 · 30/09/2025 13:12

Doingtheboxerbeat · 30/09/2025 13:10

This is Mumsnet, so I would naturally assume that at least one of the many posters on this thread has had a child 🤭.

People have to eat in these seats and if a baby has a nappy on , where's the emergency?

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The leaking nappy perhaps 🤣 we've all been there!

FanofLeaves · 30/09/2025 13:11

HRchatter · 30/09/2025 13:10

Human shit stinks no matter what the age of the person producing it.
She really shouldn’t of done that and she probably was very embarrassed once you’d pointed it out
Which you were right to do

To be fair, pre solids it’s not the same stink 😅

magmatiles · 30/09/2025 13:11

Not ideal obviously but YABU to “berate” a stressed out parent in an airport! I dare you to come back here in a few years after you’ve had kids and read your post again…

Doingtheboxerbeat · 30/09/2025 13:10

themerchentofvenus · 30/09/2025 13:06

One day when/if you have kids, you will regret criticising that woman.

This is Mumsnet, so I would naturally assume that at least one of the many posters on this thread has had a child 🤭.

People have to eat in these seats and if a baby has a nappy on , where's the emergency?

HRchatter · 30/09/2025 13:10

Human shit stinks no matter what the age of the person producing it.
She really shouldn’t of done that and she probably was very embarrassed once you’d pointed it out
Which you were right to do

RoomOfRequirement · 30/09/2025 13:08

I would judge you and your disgusting 'berating' way more than I would judge a parent changing a nappy. There was a long line and the plane was about to board - your words. Use your brain and dont be such an awful person next time when you have no idea what was going on in that parents life. Or any parent. The only perfect parents don't have kids yet, remember this when you do. Just gross.

FanofLeaves · 30/09/2025 13:08

Ponoka7 · 30/09/2025 13:05

So would she have definitely had time to use the toilets and board? We all have ideas about what we won't do when we are parents, which years later we laugh about.

Yeah, I always said I wouldn’t let my kid watch Peppa Pig or have plastic toys but there we go 🤣🤣

The perfect parent is always someone who doesn’t have kids yet.

Original poster
KittyCoo · 30/09/2025 13:07

It was dirty yes abd she used a changing ma abd was quick!! I’m not blaming the child for one moment, it was her attitude to think airport seats were the bathroom!! Yes I understand with young children you have to act quickly but it’s about being considerate to everyone else in the vicinity

OP posts:
Mumstheword1983 · 30/09/2025 13:07

HedwigEliza · 30/09/2025 13:05

Perhaps if more people berated these selfish, unhygienic people they’d get the message that their behaviour is unacceptable, and we’d all be much happier for it. Public shaming is the way to go.

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I think you will be in the majority with that however all the best 😁

RabbitsEatPancakes · 30/09/2025 13:07

That's fairly gross. Did she at least have a changing mat with her?

I wouldn't berate her, I'm guessing she was a stressed new mum worried about missing the flight. 4/5 months is still quite young. You see toddler parents carrying potties around everywhere which i find far worse!