2 in nappies on longhaul flight - help!

[Lucy]

I never thought I would ever consider putting a single use nappy on my children, and the thought now makes me cringe, but I am starting to think that maybe I should get some eco-disposables when we go to the UK next month? We will get a nappy wash service while there, and I will take pockets and a few top notch night nappies and covers, but very anxious about the flight...

Please please please give advice - either way, just help me stay sane while in transit!

[KristyMum]

If you can wash at the other end
I'd stay in cloth
for the simple poo-tainment issue
and you know what combination is reliable for you, you know?
Brooke was a once-a-week b/f pooer at 4mths and chose take-off to let it rip.
They held the plane while I changed her bc there was no way that it was gonna wait. lol

as well as if you have bamboo and they sleep (har har) or whatever you usually use for sleepy time, you know they will be fine
also rashes etc if they've not been in single use nappies before, may want to do a 'trial' run before you go if you use them.

Either way good luck

[Eilleen]

I flew to the US with 2 in cloth. If you can get a night (ish) flight then night time cloth nappies would last the distance.

Incidentally I flew domestic for 5 hours while I was in the US and under pressure from rellies, I ended up using disposables for that flight and the kids both leaked out of their nappies! So I ended up carrying all the wee'd on clothes - so I could've been saved from the trouble had I used cloth, 'cause at least I know I would never get a leak with cloth.

[Fi Kiwi]

I personally would go disposable. If you ever going to do it, this is the time.

I have flown several times internationally with Jenna, and cloth would have been ok-ish, but disposables were unfortunately just easier. You have to be prepared for anything, and be prepared to not access your checked luggage in the case of a delay. With 2 kids there is enough to carry without lugging that many cloth nappies clean and dirty. At least disposables take up[ much less space, are lighter, and you can throw them out on the plane (gross, but I did it).

I'm all for cloth once you get there, if you think the baggage allowance will get your cloth there, but on the flights, nappies really want to be the last thing on your mind.

Sorry - I didnt want to pop your bubble......

[Lucy]

Originally Posted by Fi Kiwi

Sorry - I didnt want to pop your bubble......

No, I know I am going to hear more "go cloth" here than not, so I want reality checks too - thanks Fiona, I respect your blunt honesty.

We do have a night flight - 8:30pm departure from Melbourne with one stop over. Still, it is, in total, 24 hours in nappies, so there will be 'day behaviour' as well.

I am concerned about not even knowing how to put on a disposable, hence leak potential there as well. Also, the obviousl likelihood of leaking - nb blowout.

I wonder if M will find them uncomfortable - and would have to do a trial for him.

I wonder about rash risk and would have to do a trial and will not spend a fortune on 5 different brands to find the right one.

Still cringing at the thought of single use nappies though... If I go down that road, suggestions for the best of a bad bunch would be handy. Not a fan of the idea of throwing away nappies in the plane either, but almost equally reluctant to lug them around.



ETA: was reading one of Manie's posts about catching as much wee from the eldest as possible - M is dragging out TTing, so trying not to force the issue, but wonder if this approach and the novelty of weeing on the plane would help?

Wonder if we can pull off a trial flight somewhere before we go to see if that approach would help - LOL!

[KristyMum]

No, I know I am going to hear more "go cloth" here than not, so I want reality checks too - thanks Fiona, I respect your blunt honesty.

you could always head over to the other place, and get all 'go disposable' opinions there too.

I think there are more than enough people here who will say go disposable, but I think you know all the ifs and buts and will work out what you want to do and what you think will suit you best on all front.

I think I was honest
and not saying 'go cloth' just coz it's cloth.
I think everyone's opinion is 'real' whether cloth or not, esp if they've had experience in cloth&travel.
I think the challenge is more two young children on a plane and certainly 24 hours on a plane with two littlies isn't something I envy you for lol

Considering what Eilleen said about lugging wet clothes and possible poo blowouts, you might find you're 'lugging' in terms of amounts, no different.

I guess the other thing for me is that my reasons for not using disposables don't change just because I'm travelling, if that makes sense, without it seeming narky.
It still *is* a disposable and stands for xyz for me regardless of the reason why it's used, it doesn't 'change the nappy'. I know you know what I mean. jmo each to their own etc

[alineanne]

lucy, imho cloth is totally do-able.

i did cloth with benji (who was nearly 1 yr old) on my own, from perth to belgium. i assume dh is going along with you? so you could have a bag per child or 1 nappy bag and 1 toys/food etc bag. plus matthew will have his own backpack for toys.

all of b's nappies plus whatever else i needed on board (wetbag, coupla toys), fit into 1 backpack. i used night nappies and boosted BBHs. counted on changing every 3 hours plus a few spare and it was *heaps* (too many).

oh and on my flights, they weren't strict on our cabin bag allowance. they were really generous with parents - get to board first, not strict on baggage etc. so we brought an extra bag on the way back.

i chose cloth bc i didn't want the hassle of figuring out a new nappy system.
i did feel a bit zany boarding with so many nappies!

[Lucy]

Originally Posted by KristyMumTo3

I think I was honest
and not saying 'go cloth' just coz it's cloth.
I think everyone's opinion is 'real' whether cloth or not, esp if they've had experience in cloth&travel.

absolutely, just letting Fiona know I don't have a bubble to burst! Keen to hear lots of perspectives, and if it seems good fitteds and covers is going to make the trip easier (I feel a tad overwhelmed by the journey prospect atm) I am all for it.

Need to write up the pro & con list & weigh it all up!

keep the contributions coming, I appreciate all perspectives!

[Lucy]

Originally Posted by alineanne

lucy, cloth is totally do-able!
i chose cloth bc i didn't want the hassle of figuring out a new nappy system.
!

lol - I hear you!

[Lousmum]

I've not flown long-haul with a cloth bum Lucy, but that flight to London is looooong. I think that cloth is probably totally do-able also, but you might also need to consider what you want to be lugging around with you at the other end, yk?

We flew to the US (and around the US) with Louis when he was almost 2, and he was in disposables at the time anyway so no decision to be made. But I can tell you that organising children, yourselves, paperwork, luggage is not easy. Do you want to be dragging a wetbag, or two, full of nappies around at the same time? And then you have to factor in possible delays - flights, getting through customs etc. I know that using disposables doesn't change the fact that nappies need to be changed, but it's one less thing you have to be concerned about before you get there and get settled, iykwim.

I can say that I was planning to use cloth when we were supposed to go to the US earlier this year, but not for the flights. Just too much other stuff to be concerned about without adding dirty nappies to the things we'd have to get to our destination.