This article has everything you and your family need to join the ultimate parenting mile-high club and successfully change your baby’s diaper when flying.
When you’re on a plane, dealing with a diaper change can be a bit of a tricky situation. But fear not, with a few essential tips, the right equipment, and a calming breath beforehand, you will change your baby’s diaper on a plane like a pro.
For more information on getting your baby to the plane, check out our blog on Jet-setting Babies: A step-by-step guide on how to fly with a Baby.
Before You Get on The Airplane
As with all things baby, preparation is key. Here’s what you need to do before boarding to make in-flight diaper changes easy.
Always Change your Baby’s Diaper Before Boarding
Changing diapers on a plane can be tricky. Because of this, minimizing the amount of diaper changes you have to make on the plane is key.
We always change our baby’s diaper once boarding has been announced unless it is completely clean and empty. International flights begin boarding an hour or so before takeoff, but we don’t board first.
Consider Using Overnight Diapers on Airplanes
We like to use overnight diapers and pull-up diapers for travel days. These diapers mean we can minimize diaper changes on board. We change soiled or full diapers as needed.
Dress Your Baby in Convenient Clothes
We don’t like to fly in full-body zip PJ’s anymore – as these make diaper changes an absolute nightmare! Instead, we opt for two piece PJs, allowing us to easily change our baby without getting him completely naked.
Other family’s (especially those with baby’s prone to major blowouts) prefer to fly in zip PJs so they can change soiled outfits without pulling them over their baby’s head.
One other major tip – That adorable outfit with fifteen complicated buttons? Please don’t wear it on the plane. If it’s hard to get your baby into an outfit when you’re on the ground, it’ll be worse in the air.
Pack a small Diaper Clutch for In-Flight Diaper Changes
We travel with enough diapers to last us for two days – in our carryon. We do not bring all these diapers with us to our seat! We have a small diaper clutch fitted with two diapers and a package of wipes. This is easily held in one hand and has everything we need.
Another tip? Have a small plastic bag with a change of clothes in the carry-on you put underneath the seat. This way, if there’s a blowout, you’ve got a change of clothes and a smell-proof bag to stow the dirties in. Without having to dig through the overhead compartment first!
Where to Change Your Baby’s Diaper on the Plane
Most airplanes are equipped with fold-down changing tables in the restrooms. These are typically located in the front bathrooms on smaller planes, and middle bathrooms on larger planes. There may be more than one changing table, so it’s helpful to know your options.
Flight attendants typically come by before takeoff to chat with parents and babies. They’ll let you know where the changing tables are and answer any other questions you have.
I have heard that some routes don’t have changing tables on board. In this rare case, I suggest closing the toilet seat and changing your baby either on your lap (if they can’t stand) or standing on the toilet.
Please try not to change your baby’s diaper on the tray table or on your seat. I’ve seen this happen, and it gives traveling family’s a bad reputation. People eat on the tray table! That being said, there are emergency situations (long instances of turbulence + impending blowout) where a discreet change on the seat or floor may be acceptable.
How to change a baby’s diaper on a plane
Wait for the Right Time
Timing is crucial when it comes to clean, stress-free diaper changes in the air. Although you can’t control your baby’s bowel movements, you can control when you get up to change their diaper.
You can’t go to the bathroom when the fasten seatbelt sign is on. Even if your baby just had an enormous poo!
Our baby’s first-ever long-haul flight was a poopy disaster. He pooed 5 minutes after boarding, and we had to wait 25 minutes to change him. He was fine, but our neighbor was more than a little disgusted by the malodorous baby seated beside her. I imagine it would have been worse if I had whipped out our changing pad then and there!
Luckily, it wasn’t a blowout and was contained by the very clean diaper we boarded the plane in.
Even if the fasten seatbelt sign is not on, if you can feel turbulence, try and wait. Trust me, changing your squirmy baby’s diaper on the teeny airplane changing table is hard enough without the added bumpiness of minor turbulence!
If you can’t wait and stand up, call a flight attendant to your seat and ask for help. While they won’t change your baby’s diaper, they may assist you to the bathroom or help you change the diaper in your seat sanitarily.
Ask for Assistance
If you’re flying solo, don’t hesitate to ask a flight attendant for help. They are there for your safety and comfort. Opening the bathroom doors while juggling a baby and diaper changing station is an Olympic sport.
I’ve even left my baby with flight attendants so I could use the bathroom while flying solo! They love hanging out with a cutie-pie, especially if you ask nicely.
Even if you’re not flying solo, opening the bathroom door, wrangling yourself and your baby inside, and unlatching the changing table can seem daunting. Flight attendants are there for passenger safety, which includes not dropping the baby, or smacking them on the head. Ask for help when you need it – you’d be surprised how many people are willing to help you out!
Change the Diaper (Just like at home!)
Changing a diaper on a plane can be a cramped experience, so efficiency is key. Don’t get too stressed – remember, you’ve changed hundreds if not thousands of diapers by now. Calm mommy (or daddy) means calm baby.
- Pull down the changing table (above the toilet)
- Place your changing pad on the table and unfold it.
- Lay your baby down on the pad, keeping one hand on them constantly.
- Get out everything you’ll need for the change.
- Change a diaper, just like at home.
- Seal the dirty diaper in a small bag and put it in the trashcan.
- Pack up your stuff (including baby) and wipe up any spills.
Do’s and Don’t’s of Airplane Diaper Changes
Do’s
Do ask for help if you need it. Flight attendants are there for passenger safety – that includes your baby! We’ve asked for (and recieved) help opening the bathroom door, putting the changing table down, and for a small trash bag to contain the diaper.
Do dress your baby in convinient clothing, not their most stylish outfit.
Do pack enough diapers for two days, in case of a delayed flight or lost luggage.
Do pack a small diaper clutch equipped with everything you need for airplane diaper changes.
Don’ts
Don’t change your baby’s diaper on the tray table. No matter what! People eat on that.
Don’t change your baby’s diaper at your seat, if you can help it. Even if the bathrooms are not equipped with changing tables, try and change the diaper in the bathroom.
Don’t board the plane with a dirty diaper.
Don’t try and change a diaper when the fasten seatbelt sign is on, or during minor turbulence.
Don’t get stressed out. You’ve changed thousands of diapers on the ground – this is nothing new.
Conclusion: A Clean and Stress-Free Experience
Changing a baby’s diaper on a plane doesn’t have to be daunting. With preparation and a calm approach, you can (and will) join the parenting mile-high club. More tips on flying with a baby can be found in my free ebook. Safe travels and happy parenting in the skies!
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