Changing nappy on plane - big baby

[acaciabluebell]

Any tips or advice? It's a 5 hour flight. My DD is 13 months but the size of a 2-2.5 year old in both height and weight. The plane changing tables are tiny and we are travelling with a rather budget airline (sunexpress). I have previously done it when she as 6mo and it was a tight squeeze even then, I had to stand in the doorway and have DH standing outside handing me nappies and wipes and things.

I know many people suggest making them stand but she can't stand yet without being held by both hands.

You will manage. No choice really.

I changed nappy at the airport last thing and first thing then we arrived. And only if very needed at the plane. I often travelled without my husband and managed anyway.

Take the largest roll up changing mat you can find. Then if she absolutely will not fit on the changer you can do her on the floor with the door open if you don't fit without it being hideously disgusting. But I think of the two options you'll find a way to make her fit on the changing table.

Use pull ups.
If it's just pee then you could change her sitting on your lap while you sit on the toilet seat.
Pooey nappies on the other hand...

Between now and when you go can you practice changing her on your lap? It’s how it used to be done years ago but has kind of gone out of fashion.
I used to do that with my kids and it just made life so much easier

Use pull ups. I change before the plane and after. I wouldn’t change on the plane unless there was poo. Pull ups are easiest though.

I had big toddlers too and just managed but only changed mid flight when absolutely necessary. Modern nappies can hold pee for a long time. You only have to change on a 5 hour flight if they poo. Time it to change them just before boarding.

However I think the opposite to others. Even when we were in pull ups I would pack nappies for the plane change bag. You don't want to have to take off their shoes & entire bottom half to put on a fresh pull up.

Just to add to this, disposable incontinence sheets make convenient changing mats for emergency situations. We used to take a couple with us whenever we went out just in case we needed to change on the floor (or even on our laps as a pp suggested).

When’s the flight? Is there a chance she will be able to stand with support by then? If she has a disability then you could ask the crew what accommodations they could sort for her, maybe they could allow you to change her in the crew area if you bring a mat which is usually a bit bigger than the toilets.

I either sit on the closed toilet and change them on my lap, or put a puppy pad on the floor and change them on the floor of the toilet.

You will manage. No choice really

Yes, that's the top and bottom of it. A five hour flight isn't too bad at all.

You’ll just have to manage, I can’t say I’ve every actually found it impossible even with a 2YO on a regional jet. Take only the changing mat, 1 nappy and wipes with you into the loo, not a massive bag you’ll have nowhere to put. Used taped nappies so clothes can stay on the bottom half. Choose outfits wisely- a jumper dress you can pull up with tights/leggings you can pull down will be easier than a babygrow with poppers. I don’t think I’d risk 5 hours with no change (bitter experience of getting peed on!) but unless there’s poo 1 change mid flight should be all you need.

Nappy right before you board and only change if it's a poo! 5 hours isn't ideal during the day but mine were going 10/12 hours a night in them at that age so can't imagine it would harm as a one odd

Thanks all! I wasn't sure whether it's OK to leave her without changing during the flight if she doesn't poo. Last time I flew she was little and doing so many runny poos all the time so it was unavoidable. She does sleep through the night so stays in night time nappies for 12-13 hours per night.

If you can get night time nappies they would be ideal as designed to hold more liquid.

You'll manage - I coped with a 4 year old with autism plus toddler alone somehow, they are small but one toilet is sometimes a little larger check.

Thank you - great tip!!

By that age mine refused to lie down or lie still for nappy changes. I used to do them stood up! That could work in a plane loo.

How did people manage Terry nappies in a plane before disposables were common place ?

My son was born at 9lb10 and well over a foot long.

I always changed on my lap, over my knees - so head over left leg, body across both legs, lift feet and wipe. Obviously space your legs out for support.

You'd have space to do that in all aeroplane toilets. Not nice, but better than in the cabin.

Get practising lol.