Toddlers on a Plane

[Anonymous]

I would leave the kids with DH, a neighbor, or friend rather than do what you're planning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I change pee diapers right at the seat. Each kid gets their own seat. If the 1 yr old needs a dirty diaper changed and the 3 yr old is sleeping I ask the person nearby to keep an eye on them and rush through the diaper change in the bathroom. Bring a lot of cash and buy drinks for people sitting nearby if/when your kids start screaming - you'll want to buy them drinks.

Just....no. Don't change any diapers at your seat. If you are in my row or next to me I would have a fit.

The three of us take up an entire row. I put the pee-kid in the window seat and my body blocks anyone from seeing what I'm doing. I'd never do it if there were a stranger next to us.

[Anonymous]

Try to gets row way in the back. The plane is much noisier back there so sounds get muffled. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Sitting way in the back puts you closer to the bathroom, but then you deal with bathroom smells.

Try to wear out the kids at rest stops, load up their favorite shows/songs/games whatever into their own little portable device,keep water close by at all times, and absolutely change pee diapers at the seat.(put a blanket down or something, but don't make your life harder than it has to be.) I'm a heavy traveler and all I care about is if the kid is quiet. Your other airline passengers will be more sympathetic to whatever you do as long as the kids stay reasonably calm.

Also: other adults don't behave so well on flights either, so don't worry about what other people think of you. Your toddler will not get drunk and pee into a beverage cart or start a fight with a flight attendant. Your toddler won't be ramming their seat back into people's heads/knees. And if your toddler coughs on someone, they have an excuse.

Good luck and godspeed.

[Anonymous]

Put blow up beach ball in your carry on. Blow it up at each airport/connecting airport and let toddler play with it to burn off energy.

[Anonymous]

In the airport bathroom -- will you have a stroller? Strap the toddler into the stroller to contain him/her when you are changing the baby.

Also, practice changing the toddler while s/he is standing up. It's easier in the aircraft bathroom.

Also, this is *extraordinarily* long but worth the read -- she's a former flight attendant who has logged thousands of miles with two kids, often solo:

http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com/

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Post-its, wrapping paper, beach ball -- this is all brilliant! And the notion of chucking a diaper at someone's head will at least give me a chuckle when we all go to pieces.

[Anonymous]

Bring more changes of clothes for them both and yourself in your carryon than you think you will need. Like 4? On one flight my kid peed on me in the plane bathroom, leaked through a different diaper in my lap...I ran out of clothes and ended up wearing a pair of pee-stained wet yoga pants all the way to my parents house.

[Anonymous]

Buy the Huggies slip-on diapers for the trip. The 15 seconds they save you when changing in awkward places is totally worth it.

And I second the suggestion of tons of snacks. Saved me on recent flights with my 1 and 3 year olds.

[Anonymous]

No way I'd attempt that, OP...and I have four kids and am very laid back. Those long flights and the layover make it a hellish task. Either make your DH go with you or leave at least one kid at home. Honestly, I would skip the funeral unless it was my parent or sibling...in which case your DH should really be going.

I had the pleasure of sitting in front of a woman traveling with a 10 month old and 3 year old recently. Short flight from Chicago to DC. Kids didn't sleep and it was a cluster$&@". When she met her husband and MIL at the airport baggage claim she practically tossed the kids to them and walked away. When she returned, she let her DH have it...apparently he didn't join her in Chicago for a funeral, and she let him have it right there at baggage claim at bwi.

[Anonymous]

OP I just want to say, this sounds like a movie title of a comedic take on a horror movie...

[Anonymous]

I would not give a toss what anyone thinks, change them as quickly and quietly in the seat. Airplane bathrooms are damn near impossible and with two young kids - forget about it! If anyone yells at you, finish up and know that accepting the yelling was easier then changing them in the bathroom. Definitely start now to pray for a helpful person nearby. I know I would help you if I was on the flight!

I have flown just one time with my kids alone but only one flight of 7 hours. Four under 10 but no babies thankfully. We made it and got through it alright. Deep breathing and this too shall pass and all that. Lots of TV; A new leapfrog tag book for your 3 year old with headphones? Snacks and then more snacks. I went to Child's Play in Rockville and the folks there helped me to put together a bunch of small and light toys, sticker books etc that helped somewhat. Best of luck!!

[Anonymous]

I'd just point out that as a frequent traveler, if I saw a beach ball at the airport, I'd be annoyed. It's just not the place.

That being said, you need to prepare for the absolute worst at the airport. Like your smallest one insisting on being carried, then what happens, you have no free hands and your older toddler ends up pushing his or her own stroller, all over the hallway.

Think right/left...right/left, no matter how many times you grit your teeth and tell them to WALK STRAIGHT they just can't do it...

BTDT last month, still getting over it.

[Anonymous]

why on earth are you determined to take two small kids to a family funeral? Either drag your husand along or leave at least ONE kid at home with him. this is going to be hell and I have traveled a LOT with my two year old. at a minimum, every kids needs a seat. The kids are going to take all the new toys you have throw them on the floor over and over as a "game" (learned my lesson that one). Videos for the three year, maybe some books. TONS of snacks and benadryl. Holy cow, changing diapers? if it was just pee and you had the whole row to yourself I would overlook you doing that in the seat. But you cant change poop in the seat. How are you managing two kids in an aiprort bathroom. Call the airline to see if they even have changing tables in the bathroom, half don't. Im kind of stunned you are even entertaining this idea OP. I am guessing you feel like as long as you have to go home you might as well drag the kids for a family visit. This is such a bad idea I don't even know where to start. Can you pay to fly a nanny with you?

[Anonymous]

I tried the wrapping paper thing when I flew with my toddler to Europe this summer and it was great. I spent about $30 in the Target $1 bins and wrapped everything individually. I'd just ignore anybody who says you can't change a pee diaper in your seat, you have to do whatever enables you to survive. Re going to the bathroom with one kid, the only way I've ever been able to figure this out is to find a sympathetic fellow traveler (grandmothers are the best) and have them watch the toddler or the baby while you go to the bathroom with the other kid. The flight attendants could also serve this purpose. There will be other sympathetic travelers, don't be afraid to ask for help.