BEEN on a flight when a sudden pungent smell drifts across from the aisle or from next to you?

Instead of gagging, try to help the parent as much as possible as changing a diaper on board a plane can be challenging.

The degree of difficulty depends on the soiling, age and mobility of the child as well as the type of airplane being travelled on and the helpfulness of the cabin crew (or anyone around).

This website (http://www.flyingwithkids.com/) gives the low-down on what really needs to go in a nappy change bag and the best time to get your kids fresh for the flight.

What to take 

Carry a nappy change bag inside your cabin bag.

It does not need to be one of the commercially available ones, unless that suits you. Anything which lets you find your change gear quickly and easily will do.

Some things to include are:

• a supply of correctly-sized disposable diapers sufficient to cover the period of your journey, plus a few spares

• a foldable plastic change mat (some bags incorporate these)

• a pack of wet wipes

• nappy cream

• cotton wool

• a flannel in a plastic bag

• baby soap

• a small towel or flannel nappy

• polythene nappy sacks

• a change of clothes

Get organised 

Keep the bulk of your change things in your change bag, but place the change mat or towel, one diaper, a small pack of wipes, tube of cream and nappy sack in an accessible place (e.g. in a polythene bag) near your seat.

This is all you will need for a simple change and will save cluttering the tiny space in the aircraft washroom — you will know when the time has come for all your resources to be called for.

Where to make the change 

At the airport:

It’s a good idea to have a fresh nappy just before boarding.

You should be able to find a change room or adequate toilet facility near the departure gate in most airports.

On the plane:

Some have a small change table in most toilets, others do not. Ask the cabin crew for assistance.

Some airlines will prepare a toilet for you, making sure it is clean and so forth. On others, you may have to investigate for yourself.

Some planes have a larger than average facility at the rear.

This has the advantage of a larger change table (some are impossibly small for toddlers, who have to be changed standing up) and a little bit more elbow room.

If you choose to change your baby in the sky cot or on your seat, you will not be the first to do so. Remember to be sensitive to your neighbours, however, and to the cultural sensitivities of your airline.

Wrap soiled nappies in one of the perfumed polythene nappy sacks available in supermarkets, and dispose of in the bin in the toilet.

True diaper-change story

A first-class cabin attendant once told me an amusing story about an arrogant passenger travelling with her baby.

The woman insisted on placing the infant under her seat while she flew (not safe or permitted) and made the cabin-crew fetch bottles, provide warm meals and cuddle her child so that she need not raise a finger.

When she instructed the cabin crew to “change my baby”, the crew-member could not take it anymore.

He replied, “certainly”, and exchanged the smelly child for a clean one from economy class!