To be nervous about flying with a toddler for the first time?

[RoxyGirl163]

We are going away to Mexico in a few weeks time with our 3yr old (first holiday with her) and I am very apprehensive about it all. My main concern is the airplane, I don't want her to be upset and be that person who's kid is screaming all flight. She also isn't potty trained so not sure about the changing situation as the toilets are very very small. Does anyone have any advice when travelling with a toddler and about bum changes on the plane.

Bring lots of snacks. A new toy for the fligh there and a new toy for the flight back. Changing nappy is not so bad in the toilets.

Whenever the seat belt sign is off take toddler for a walk up and down the isles. People will make a fuss of them. Little one has less time to be bored. And if/when they do cry then people are more understanding about it as they've already interacted with them.

Try get them to suck a sweet on the take off and landing to maybe avoid their ears popping but also just to distract them if their ears do pop.

Tablet and child friendly headphones. Film and TV downloaded to it.

Play planes and airports before you go, so they know what to do at security etc

Book your seats so you are all together

Can change in the toilet they have a board that comes down but as you know it's tiny.

iPad and headphones.
Window spinners from Amazon
Books
Snacks galore

Up and down the aisle.

They noise of the plane will hopefully act as white noise so send them to sleep haha.

But don't stress. Majority of people on the plane will have travelled with young ones.

Don't worry, I've done a longer trip with 2 under 2 and survived ! It's not fun but it's only a few hours.

I changed mine standing in the toilet. He was terrified of the noise and would cry and scream but I had no choice so I just did it as quickly as possible.

I tried screens but it didn't work great (maybe mine were too young). Coloured crayons in comparison worked well. Don't bring any toys with small pieces as they'll be lost between the seats. And don't bring too many toys as it'll be no use. I usually take one toy car for each.

I suggest bringing your own food as the food served by airlines is NOT toddler friendly. By that I mean they will not be able to eat it on their own without making a huge mess. You'd think airlines would be savvy enough to serve stuff like sandwiches and juice cartons for babies and toddles but noooo, they serve you a normal glass that baby is SURE to drop at some point. Nowadays I just buy adequate stuff in duty free so it's food that will make minimal mess and also this way I don't have to make the kids wait until the airline actually serves the food.

Beyond that, just grit your teeth and accept that it's gonna be a shitty few hours.

Honestly, if she screams everybody will just know you’re doing your best. Don’t worry about it. Change her in the seat of you need to or on your knees. Take snacks, headphones and new toys.

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This sort of drawing board is good for flying

Please don't change her nappy at the seat, that is absolutely vile, and I would complain if that was happening near me. Yes it's a squeeze in the toilets but still manageable.
We've flown with DS at 10mths, 18mths, 24mths and 3yrs, DD at 8mths and then flying again next month when they'll be 4yrs and 18mths.
Honestly it's a doddle, the white noise mostly just lulls them to sleep. We took activities like Sticker books, fuzzy felts, a tablet with games, water pen Colouring, and some snacks and on the last flights they just slept 😴
If babies/toddlers cry then they cry, sometimes you can't plan for it, just give them lots of comfort and do your best.

I think when my son was 3 we used to do nappy changes with him standing on the toilet seat and the door ajar.

Wouldn't recommend doing nappy changes at your seat - you want your neighbours to like you on such a long flight.....

Thanks for all the replies, will definitely take them on board, flight is about 6/6.5hr hours so I am pretty sure I will need to change her at some point, she is quite tall so doubt she will fit on the changing table so will start practicing standing changes or just quickly do it in the back of the plane. I have bought loads of things to keep her busy like colouring books and pens etc, so hopefully she's not too board. Gonna try and get her to sleep if possible.

Get her used to pull ups, a lot easier to change. The boards aren't suitable for an older toddler. Please do not change at the seat.
Tablet and headphones
favourite magazine (and one in the suitcase for the flight back), pad and crayons
if she is used to have it, cuddly toy and blanket
sticker books are also good
lots of snacks, kids meals are awful so buy simple sandwiches or whatever she likes after securiy and also drink cartons and water bottles with a sports cap.
Change of clothes, T-shirt and leggings and a cardigan/hoody
Spending the flight glued to a screen and eating junk food won't damage her but gives all of you a bit of peace and lessen anxiety.

We aren't using pull ups at the moment but I think that's a good suggestion, going to dress her in her pj's at the gate so it feels like bedtime for her and fingers crossed she sleeps.

We took a packet of pipe cleaners on our flight when DD was that age. They were brilliant. We all made different things from glasses to animals, even the people around us wanted a go in the end which kept her entertained!
As others have said, sticker books are great too.

Put toilet seat down, stand toddler on it facing away from you. Tear off sides of pull off and remove. Wipe toddler. Sit on toilet seat yourself with toddler on knee, slide on pull ups as though they were pants. Job done.

Pull ups are just more convenient nappies, she doesn’t need to use them like pants.

We don't use them at the moment because nappies are cheaper and seem like a waste when she's not interested in the toilet but I will defo get a pack for the flight, I think it will make it much easier.

Change her in the seat of you need to or on your knees.

Don't do this. That's disgusting. It's gross enough with a baby let alone with a three year old(and three year olds aren't even toddlers.) Have some consideration for your fellow passengers.

Take plenty of snacks, preferably non messy ones.
Take a few small toys that are new to her and give them at intervals.
Sticker books are good, particularly the reusable ones.
Take a colouring pad and crayons,
Make sure that she has sweets to suck in case her ears hurt,
If you have rules about tablet/phone use, now is the time to forget them.

Good luck.

Loads of great tips here... I'd add, make sure you go to the loo before the flight and have a good book downloaded on your phone, also take a sweater to roll up as a "pillow" so you can get your DC cosy on your lap or prop up your own elbow or neck. Also ask the Flight attendant if they have a spare blanket or pillow as they will often help (they don't want grumpy toddlers on the flight either). Likelihood is, your little one WILL sleep some of the journey and most of that will be slumped on/stretched across you, so you don't want to be dying for a wee.

For us, lots of running around in the airport helps (some of the terminals have a free kids soft play so check that out in advance).

Make sure you have lots of snacks for the plane - sugar-free chewy fruit gums are great for take off.

Haven't changed a toddler on a plane, but have done my 2 year old on a train so similar size toilet, I found having her in pull ups so she could just stand up while I changed her.

If she doesn't soil the nappy I can easily change her on my lap with the help of DH passing me wipes etc but it's if she has a dirty nappy

You really can’t change her in the seat, even if it’s just a wet nappy. You need to start practicing now doing it standing up. Start with her holding onto the bathtub looking into it. I did all nappy changes standing up with my eldest from the minute she could stand as she refused to lie down.

I don't think pull ups will be easier if she's wearing trousers as you have to take the trousers all the way off? Maybe put her in a smock type thing.

Absolutely do not change a 3 year old in the seat. Please, please don’t do that. It’s grim.

people fly with children all the time, it will be fine. She’s 3 so if there’s no SEN it should be possible to entertain and distract her until she sleeps- the white noise is massively helpful for sleeping!

I've got to say the idea that people will just change a dirty nappy on a seat in a plane that likely has a very close neighbour is vile.

Also disagree with the first poster that people on the flight not related to your child will make a fuss of them

Bring toys, bring food. She will probably get upset it's how you deal with it. If you look around and beam happily as she smashes her feet into the chair in front, you'll piss everyone off. A quick oh gosh I'm sorry actually goes a massive way on long flights with noisy children

Have spare clothes for you in hand luggage. I took my DDs to Oz when young. We hit turbulence and the 18 month old threw up all over me!