Taking Off With My Thirsties!

This Friday I'll be heading out to visit my parents in their new home in Florida. My younger sister, also a cloth-diapering mother-of-three and fellow Boulderite, will be going with me. Each of us will be leaving our older two behind with their daddies and will be only bringing the babies, both boys and both still nursing. Though at six months I have a feeling Kevin will be a bit more cooperative lap baby than 21 month old Cooper. But we'll see. As promised, I'll be bringing my cloth diapers with me on the plane and in my checked bag to use at my parents. We'll only be staying three nights so I'll plan on doing one load of diaper mid-visit and probably a half-load the night before we leave. I'll be bringing a small muslin bag of soap-nuts with which to wash my diapers and at least a dozen of my Thirsties Wipes. Our day will start at around 4:00 a.m. when the alarm will be going off. We'll need to be leaving for the airport by 4:45 a.m. because it takes an hour to get there, find a parking spot and then trek to all the way to check-in. Our flight leaves at 7:40 a.m. and we'll be in the air approximately three hours and 20 minutes. Once we land, we'll need to pick up the rental car, install the carseats and the rented navigation system. Then we'll be on the road for about two more hours before finally arriving at my parents' house. That's about nine hours of travel time, if everything goes smoothly. (Cross your fingers for me that we don't board the plane only to have some announce over the loudspeaker that the plane doesn't have a pilot or a flight crew and that we'll waiting on the tarmac, unable to de-plane for an hour and a half or so--that has happened to me before). Here's what I am going to be packing for a travel day this long in my carry-on:
  • 5 cloth diapers
  • 2 extra covers
  • 8 wipes, in a container and premoistened with water
  • 1 wet bag
  • 2 disposables (just in case)
  • 1 change of clothes
  • snacks: string cheese, granola bars, cooked baby carrots, sliced sweet red pepper, dehydrated yogurt drops, fig newtons, a water bottle,
  • Cooper's pacifier and lightweight blanket
  • a book or two--though the diaper bag might be too full for Cooper's favorite chunky board books...I'll have to find some thin, lightweight ones
  • a toy or three
  • my iPad, which can entertain both us if necessary
I plan on checking one bag as well as the car seat. The car seat fits in a handy travel case that has shoulder straps. I'll have my trusty backpack-cum-diaper bag and my purse, and I'll hang both over the handles of the umbrella stroller that Cooper will be riding in. I'll roll my checked bag behind me with one hand and push the stroller with the other. I've done this before, alone, and with two other children tagging along behind me, to boot and trust me, I look like a sherpa: grim, determined, organized and prepared for a long, exhausting trip. But once I check the car seat and suitcase, my load will be considerably lighter. And since I'll be with my sister and off on an adventure far from my daily grind, I'll bet my mood will be lighter too! Am I forgetting anything important?? Please let me know if I am. It's going to be a long day and I need to be prepared. Remember, I've never traveled with cloth before. Wish me luck!
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17 comments

  • I just returned from a visit home to So. California & my first plane trip w/my 15 month old son. Let me say I overpacked with diapers & accessories on the flight to CA & it was MUCH easier than I thought/anticipated. I only needed 2 diapers for the whole travel day of about 9 hours.
    I had a Thirsties AIO w/a Swaddlebees doubler on him that I put on him about 30 min prior to leaving for the airport which is only 15 min away. He napped on the first flight; no poo and didn’t have to change his diaper until landed at first layover. No leaks! Second flight was 4.5 hours and again, AIO w/Swaddlebees doubler. No poo; never had to change his dipe and no leaks! Yes, he ate and drank a lot too! I guess I got lucky with no poo.
    On the flights home I pre-stuffed AIO’S with 2 doublers each for each flight; packed diposable liners, 1 extra diaper & 1 doubler just in case. Again, both flights went great w/no diaper changes needed during any flights. Only exception, I changed his diaper the last 40 min of flight because my layover time was too short and wouldn’t have time to stop to use restroom. Glad I did this or else I would have missed my connecting flight.
    Overall, diapers were the least of my concerns during my entire travel time and I’m so glad that my Thirsties proved to be easier than ever, reliable and leak proof.
    I was told by many family to just get sposies for the trip, but that made me more nervous than my cloth; so glad I didn’t.

    Jennifer on
  • We’re traveling home by car this Christmas, and I’m planning on cloth diapering it the whole time… should be interesting!

    Christy Marsh on
  • Honestly, I have found that changing the baby on the airplane is often easier than in other public restrooms because everything’s to hand. Don’t worry about extra wipes, since a warm wet paper towel works well in a pinch. I do second the suggestion of food for yourself, since a happy mother makes for a happy baby. Last I knew, there were no restrictions on solid foods; just on liquids (which includes anything spreadable — PB is not OK, a PB sandwich is!). There is an exception for a “reasonable” amount of soft foods for babies & toddlers. Good luck!

    Lisa on
  • I don’t have any experience traveling with kiddos, but have been contemplating it. It just sounds like so much work. I hope you have a safe and fun trip. Good luck!

    Traci on
  • I didn’t think you could bring any food on a plane, unless you bought it after you checked at the gate. Did they let you bring in your food and water?

    Rebecca R. on

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