2 in nappies on longhaul flight - help!

[Obsi]

Hubby changed Tahlia when we went to Tassie hahaha so I have no idea what they have - never been in a plane toilet before.

[Fi Kiwi]

Just to let you guys know, its illegal to cahnge a nappy anywhere other than the toilets. Becasue of health reasons as the airplane cabin is a food service area. Last flight I had I was told off my the stewardess, and they can get in big trouble if a health inspector is on the plane.
The changing area is folded down over the back of the toilet, so the parent reaches above the toilet. The area is sideways, so you have to change them in the sideways direction. Last time I flew was when Jenna was 10mo, and it was already too small for her. Not sure how you would ever change a toddler on it. And its just a hard surface, which I dont trust cleanliness wise, so youneed to put something soft down for them to be changed on.

As for stinky toilets. Well I gotta say I have seen some pretty disgusting things in airplane toilets, and a disposable in a stinky sack, placed in a bin is bar far the least of them.

Ultimately you will do what is best for you, but as for poo blowouts, Hamish is 8mo, and he does little nuggety poos always. We have no poo containment issues anymore. I can't see there being any difference between a cloth and a sposie for the most part.

Ultimately you will do what it is you want to, there are pros and cons for each. All I am saying is that you may have a hard enough time keeping 2 kids entertained for that flight, heavens forbid you are delayed. Jenna doesn't sleep properly on planes, regardless of being a night flight, so the last overnight flight I had with her was just awful. Bags are full with books and toys and snacks.

Anyway - I really hope you can go cloth if thats what you want to do, I'm just saying that there is no point being a hero just for the sake of it. I'd be more interested in getting my holiday started and starting the de-stress!!

[Lucy]

Hmmmm... food for thought.

Dan was thinking that even with disposables we could use a cover over the top as back up.

I *want* to do cloth, but I think I really need to put some decent time in to planning the whole transit experience!

We are flying Qantas.

We aren't going on a *holiday* as such, but moving to the UK for a few months... Which will be a rather exciting, overwhelming and fun adventure - with holidays interspersed!

[Emma]

I've managed to change mischa on the change table in the toilets when she was 17 months old. I'm planning to do it again when she's 23 months old when we fly (then train it) to Belgium in October. Unless some miracle happens and she's fully tt'ed by then

I think in one of the other threads about travelling with cloth, someone said that if you're heading straight for a friend's place/ your own place/ somewhere with laundry facilities it's a lot easier than if you're not. I'm going to give cloth a go next time around even though our we're looking at long haul flights plus trains and buses. Oh yeah and despite DH's opposition I don't think I'm being a "cloth nut" about it (that's probably the nicest way of putting DH's views) - I just think we'll be able to do it and I really disliked using single use nappies when we went to Bangkok/ Singapore back in April. (We did a combination during our trip but mainly used single use nappies )

I used single use nappies last time we flew (much less time in transit - I think about 10 hours at the most? can't remember exactly but they weren't direct flights). The flight attendants gave us a few single use nappies in the bag they gave us for Mish (i'm sure this is standard) so if for some reason you're on the plane with cloth and run out or change your minds about the whole thing, they can supply you with disposables

Sorry this is a bit of a garbled mess, but Mish is sitting on my lap wantign to help (and read books and make phone calls... a multitasker like her mama )

[Clo]

Interesting thread. I have done it with some sposies as back up in case of major delays. It is interesting to hear what people have to say. I was laughing at Sue's story about improvising as I have been in a similar position. I also agree that carrying around wet clothes is not great either and I had that one two years ago. I can not imagine traveling with three now especially the long haul back to Oz as often DH can't join us but I think by then DD will be TT so it will only be one in nappies so that will be one hurdle covered.

Best of luck! If you are looking for some Aussie expat mums in the UK PM me as there is a expat mum group over on EB if you are interested.

good luck

[mokster26]

I went Qantas/British airways recently to Europe (May) and had a flight Cns to SIng - stopover - then Sing/london/amsterdam on the way over. We also had a number of internal flights over the month and returned via Hong Kong. We took pockets for our destinations but I went disposable for the plane. I trialled them a few days before we left overnight on Max (we had night flights mainly) to make sure there were no rash issues, leaks or anything. I used the sposies as I didn't want to worry about my luggage, wetbags, delays, having to immediately wash at the other end in a hotel stopover situation etc etc. I only used three for a 13 hour flight which was great considering that Max was BFing waay more than at home.
If you want to do cloth it obviously can be done - many people here have done it with great success and thumbs up for the committment to cloth. I am a bit lazy and think this is the sort of situation that a single use nappy can be really handy.
We had no leaks or blowouts or rash. I took commercial wipes as well and found that changing Max was fairly quick and painless.
I was very embarrassed though the first time I bought sposies - silly really

[KristyMum]

I just wanted to add that I 'get' everyone's perspective but I don't think that those who do cloth on long flights/travel are being 'hero' types or claiming that status at all, rather they are simply doing comprehensively what they believe in - the same as ext bf, or making your own baby food or whatever.
For me on long travel, nappies barely factor as an 'issue' so maybe that's why staying with cloth doesn't bother me coz it's just normal - the bigger issues in our camp are feeding, drinks, and keeping occupied, and getting safely where we're going of course!
So I guess like Sue in that sense.

If you do go disposable, I would do as PP has said and take a Bummis cover or the like jic - unless you're lucky enough to have firm poo-ing baby lol and would prob be worth checking if the airline does have backup nappies jic (although if you're taking biod ones you might want to check whether the plane-provided ones will rash etc so trial again beforehand)

Samples to trial are a good idea as a PP suggested too.

[desertbaby]

I used cloth on the way from Doha to Perth (23 hours door to door) just recently, however I was travelling on my own with the 2 kids, and I found that I just had too much to carry combined with toys, snacks etc. It was definitely do able, as others have said, but I opted for disposables for the way back (28 hrs due to longer stop over) which worked out much easier for me.

[Superwoman]

Have fun! I love England.

Anyway, it's totally doable - but you have to decide if the extra effort is worth it.

Surely if there was a reason disposable nappies were invented this would be it? Maybe flushable liners? I just can't imagine all that wait in immigration, travel to hotel etc with a two year old's pooey nappy. And then when you get to where you're staying, instead of unpacking or relaxing, the first thing you have to do is find a laundromat so you can wash nappies.

[mum2one]

I did disposables for Felicity on our flight to Vietnam which ended up being longer than predicted but if I had my time again I'd definately not bother with anything but cloth.

The disposables leaked and I ended up with more stress than I think if I'd have just done the cloth that I know and trust. When Felicity goes now she really goes both poo and wee and I mistakenly thought the disposables would be easier but I forgot about the fact that I don't use them so the imagined ease and reliability facter went out the window the first wee she did in them.lol.

Next time I'll just plan more carefully and buy some extra things that will make using cloth a bit easier on the plane etc like a good wetbag and paper liners etc.

At the end of the day I guess its what you feel comfortable with and whats going to make the trip as stress free as possible.

Have fun.