We're currently in Europe and travelling back to Seattle in a couple of hours. Unfortunately our tickets are non-refundable otherwise I'd easily change the dates but we can't.
Basically my nephew got diarrhoea from eating outside and had an accident earlier this morning. He's feeling fine but having to use the toilet quite a bit.
I'm just concerned if he has an urge to go on the plane and there seat belt sign is on or if the bathroom is occupied he might have another accident.
They do sell Goodnites here, which would at least 'contain' any accidents, but I'm not sure if he would be willing to wear them.
Any suggestions?
Edit -
Wild Woman - We are flying to Seattle to stay at my sister's home for a few days which is where my nephew lives and then home to southern California.
Thanks for the advice though, I originally wanted to call my sister but he was too embarrassed about the accident/sickness and begged me not to.
I did contact the airline trying to change the flight date but they were unwilling to accomodate us and were rather rude about it.
Stop in an airport shop now...get him an anti diarrhea med to take now. That and goodnites should help.
I would also take one of the attendants aside , and give them a 'heads up' (or rather a 'bottoms up'!!)
Safe flight!
PS - pack a plastic bag to put his clothes in - just in case...
On a vacation a few years ago, my husband got sick with diarrhea. He began his normal treatment of Immodium AD, Pepto, etc. to clear it up.
Unfortunately, as the virus left him, it stripped him of all the natural digestive bacteria in his gut, and the symptoms wouldn't cease. The hotel we were at had yogurt, but it was shelf-stable, & didn't help.
When we got home, he bought some regular yogurt, which has live cultures of probiotics in it, & cleared up within 24 hours.
My advice - have your nephew take a dose of an anti-diarrheal medication, avoid all solid food for 12-24 hours (no, he won't starve!), and drink plenty of fluids (water, juice, gatorade). Yogurt starting now, & continuing 1-2 days after symptoms cease is also key. Good luck! T.
aw, poor fella. i hate how nasty the airlines can be any more. even if they're not going to be helpful, you'd think at least 'courtesy' would be a given.
i'd dose him up with immodium and as much yogurt as he can comfortably eat. if he's unwilling to wear the goodnites, point out how humiliated he's going to be if things go...er.....south.
a couple of changes of clothes in his carry-on, and a quiet word with the flight attendants, who may well be douchey (too many are) but you might luck out and get a helpful one.
good luck!
khairete
S.
If he is really sick, the airline may bump you. Just FYI. There was a family who had an older child, maybe 10 yrs old, who asked to be seated early because the child was not well. Before we took off, the family was told the child could not fly and they would have to catch another flight when she was doing better. The mom flew on home and the father stayed with the child (no idea the politics thereof, maybe she had work or they had to get the dog or something). So just be prepared with a carry on with enough in it to get you through a day or two if the plane can't leave with you.
In addition to the suggestions below, pack extra clean underwear in the carry-on bags vs. the checked luggage. If he won't wear (or can't fit) into good nights or the adult products they advertise on TV, buy some feminine pads to line the back of his underwear and teach him how to dispose of them in bags in the rest room (no flushing!). Airsickness bags work for disposal too.
No food, yes to water, and yes to alerting the flight attendant. Sometimes in a pinch they will let a coach traveler use the first class bathroom where there is no line. If they won't reschedule him, they might be willing to switch some seats around to put him near the bathroom. Good luck!
K.,
Welcome to mamapedia!!
Is your nephew's mother with him? Maybe she can TALK WITH him and find out what he wants to do.
If you are his guardian right now - call the airlines and let them know what is going on....you might be surprised to find that they will work with you, especially since having a plane full of sick people (diarrhea can make people sick by smelling it) would NOT be good for their profits.
You can start by being proactive and giving him medication to stop the diarrhea...Pepto Bismol, The BRAT diet (banana rice apples toast) it will help. Diarrhea can dehydrate you - so if this is real (post shows Los Angeles, you state flying to Seattle) your nephew needs to drink Gatorade and water to keep him hydrated.
Good luck!
Bless his heart. Yes, there are over the counter medications along with the BRAT diet, he will probably be able to hang in there.
Go to the pharmacy and speak with the pharmacist about it.
How upsetting that the airline would not work with you. That they would want that potential mess on their plane is shocking.
Immonium works on diarrhea, not Pepto.
The BRAT diet does work. Do you have time before the flight to get good bacteria in his system? Yogurt might help as well.
I would look into Depends instead of "Good nights", they are made for adults. Your nephew is almost an adult, right?
Talk to the flight attendants and let them know what's going on. They don't want a panic situation on their hands if your nephews runs to the bathroom!
He'll be fine. We all learn to deal with these kinds of situations. Who amount us hasn't had to learn the hard way how to be more aware on days like this? I know I had to live with a bit of a mess for the rest of the day on more than one occasion.
He can use the restroom just before getting on the plane, right after take-off and if necessary. It will be important not to wait until the last minute.
Usually we have a few minutes warning, not a few seconds. He really should be fine.
Tell him it will be much more embarrasing for him if he has to walk to the bathroom with poop falling out the bottom of his pants. He needs to have one on and carry a couple with him in a bag, I keep one in my computer bag all the time.
We had that Australian Rotovirus last spring and there was no getting to the toilet. It just exploded out at will.
I bought a package of Walmart brand depend underwear and put one in that bag for an emergency when I went back to work. Never used it yet...thank goodness.
Sometimes, Immodium and BRAT diet just don't work. Keep him hydrated whatever you do.
I would just explain to him the choices he has and the consequences of each one. Tell him that you'll be sure to carry cleaning wipes with you and make sure to have a special manly-looking carry bag for his adult diapers and wipes. Make it his responsibility after obtaining the supplies so that he can feel in control of the situation and of his own privacy.
My daughter was sick while traveling many years ago. The airline changed our tickets with a doctor's letter. Probably too late to do that.
I'd tell the agent when you check in. They may be able to give him a seat close to restroom or at minimum allow him to get up when sign is on.
Also give him Immodium or some other medication to slow down his bowel.
I'd call the airline again and hope for a more compassionate agent. I'd emphasize the negatives for the airline and I'd start out saying you'd take him to the doctor. Be very understanding of their policy.
I don't know where you are in Europe, but here in Germany you can get something called "Imodeum" at any phamacy (note not drugstore like in the States). It will help "dry" him up quickly. Head to the pharmacy and ask what they can recommend.
You posted this on babycenter.
http://community.babycenter.com/post/a52196320/teenage_ne...
