Changing Your Tot's Diaper in a Public Place - Page 2

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by Gillian28 

I'm curious how all of you change a toddler poop standing up??  I've tried this before but it is impossible to clean the poop off of him.

It was a daunting task the first few times but it's not as hard as it sounds (especially with an older toddler who can cooperate better!) I just help him pull down his pants, ask him to hold up his shirt, remove the diaper carefully, wipe, and then ask him to lean forward if it's a really messy one so I can wipe better (usually don't even have to do that)... it might be hard if your kid isn't willing to stay still though, I could see how that would get messy... Oh and I guess this is obvious but in case it's not, I change him immediately after he poops -- so it really doesn't get a chance to smear all over him or anything like it might if he pooped and then ran around and climbed and jumped for 20 minutes first... Why was it hard when you tried before?

[number572]

OT!  :D

It is weird that, as a society, we don't dedicate more areas to caring for our young people.  Aren't there enough stressors involved with parenting?  Do we really need the added stress of where to change a child's diaper, where to feed them and feel safe and comfortable, and so many more of the issues I read daily here on MDC?

I mean, really... thinking about this more deeply, it's just SO crazy and seems like the adults of our society are way too self-focused.  Strikes me as so strange.  Why don't we give more to our youngest people, as a society?

[Dar]

Changing pad on the bathroom floor. I'd usually use a wipe or two to clean off the floor a bit first.

I don't think anything involving urine or feces belongs in the public social arena, whether people are eating or not. The smell of poop makes me literally nauseous. No peeing on trees in a park, no changing wet diapers on a restaurant table, and definitely no changing poopy diapers in a play area near food.

[Mosaic]

Ok, I'll admit that this is one of my "things":

Diaper changing belongs in the bathroom or dedicated "changing area". Period. Not on the couch, not on the floor, not in a stroller, not in an eating area, not with a fox wearing sock eating lox in a box!

Yes, kids wiggle, but I haven't dropped one yet! I am really picky about germs and don't want to spread E.coli all over. Plus, a bathroom, for however inconvenient the changing station is, still has a sink with at least running water (and usually soap) so I can wash my hands. I've done the car in a super-duper pinch, but I really don't think hand sanitizer gets your hands as clean as soap and water. So I admit it skeeves me out when people change their diapers whenever whereever.

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by number572 

OT!  :D

It is weird that, as a society, we don't dedicate more areas to caring for our young people.  Aren't there enough stressors involved with parenting?  Do we really need the added stress of where to change a child's diaper, where to feed them and feel safe and comfortable, and so many more of the issues I read daily here on MDC?

I mean, really... thinking about this more deeply, it's just SO crazy and seems like the adults of our society are way too self-focused.  Strikes me as so strange.  Why don't we give more to our youngest people, as a society?

I agree!!!

I was thinking something along similar lines when I was in IKEA the other day. DS loved having a sink and a potty at his height. Considering half the people in an average place are probably kids, why not make things more accessible to them? In my perfect world, every store/play space/etc. would have a clean changing room, bathrooms with kid-sized sinks etc. (or at least step stools) and a couple of larger stalls, and lots of couches and benches everywhere to nurse (NOT in the bathrooms of course, lol, although I like lounge areas right outside the bathrooms sometimes!)

[number572]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy 

Originally Posted by number572 

OT!  :D

It is weird that, as a society, we don't dedicate more areas to caring for our young people.  Aren't there enough stressors involved with parenting?  Do we really need the added stress of where to change a child's diaper, where to feed them and feel safe and comfortable, and so many more of the issues I read daily here on MDC?

I mean, really... thinking about this more deeply, it's just SO crazy and seems like the adults of our society are way too self-focused.  Strikes me as so strange.  Why don't we give more to our youngest people, as a society?

I agree!!!

I was thinking something along similar lines when I was in IKEA the other day. DS loved having a sink and a potty at his height. Considering half the people in an average place are probably kids, why not make things more accessible to them? In my perfect world, every store/play space/etc. would have a clean changing room, bathrooms with kid-sized sinks etc. (or at least step stools) and a couple of larger stalls, and lots of couches and benches everywhere to nurse (NOT in the bathrooms of course, lol, although I like lounge areas right outside the bathrooms sometimes!)

Well, that has also bothered me for years as well, b'c I had a friend in college who was a Little Person, she hated that she had to ask for help in some public spaces.  I imagine that kids who want to do things for themselves struggle with a similar frustration and sense of self-denial.  Our society also made whole rooms available for people who chose to smoke, not sure if those are still popular or available.  It seems like accommodating for our kids and Little People would benefit our society in a very good way.  Alright, sorry for the OT!  I just started thinking about this thread and had to post.

Edit- I also think its in good business mind, many parents stay home - therefore not contributing to sales - b'c it's difficult to travel out with the kids.  If we made it easier for whole families to be out and provide a place to handle feeding and changing, etc... guaranteed there would be higher sales!

[Turquesa]

OP here.  My first post is long, so I can understand why it wasn't read thoroughly.

1. DS, as stated in the OP, is 20 months.  He's a MOVER and doesn't understand all of the commands it would take to change him while standing.  Honestly, that would create an even bigger mess with poo.

2. Yes, poopy diapers reek.  At least in my mind. 

3. The WHOLE place was an "eating area" that day.  So in my defense, I wasn't thinking, "Ah, perfect!  People eating sandwiches!  I'll go change him RIGHT next to them..."  

4. To reiterate.........My question isn't "should I change a diaper in a public area?" so there's no need to provide answers to that.  Recall from the first post: I found myself in a bind, I don't blame the people for complaining, and I am genuinely looking for alternatives.  I'm after constructive suggestions and alternatives only, so---to repeat--no flames or reprimands, please.  

5. One detail that I forgot to add--It's been pretty dang cold here!  In the summer, I open my car trunk, empty it, and do the changing in there.  I look like a mobster... but it gets the job done.

6. The employee was genuinely interested in suggestions on how they could accommodate parents with tots.  The most sensible, inexpensive, and feasible suggestion that I've seen in this thread is to clean the bathroom floor first.  A business wanting to help could keep some Lysol wipes in the restroom, maybe appending the the container to the wall.  One of our grocery stores does this--keeping some up front to wipe down shopping cart seats and handles.  I know not everybody here on MDC is hip on the harsh chemicals.  But I think there's a time and place to pull out the Big Guns.  I'm also not the crunchiest potato chip in the MDC Bag....

[JudiAU]

I don't think it is fair to change a poopy diaper in the circumstances you described. There are too many people. People are eating lunch. No on wants a poopy diaper change on a couch. I have small kids and I might have considered complaining too. The only exception to this rule is sometimes you must change a diaper this way on airplane (I was marched back to my seat during turbulance and DS was leaking out both sides)

 My solution would have been to 1) make room in your car, perhaps use an adult seat it isn't comfortable but it almost always feasible, or 2) use the dirty bathroom floor, and wash hands well after. I personally choose the later option most frequently. I keep a small Clean Well spray cleaner in our diaper bag for the 5% of the time I actually carry it. If those can't work for you perhaps grass on the street.

[tzs]

Originally Posted by Turquesa 

OP here.  My first post is long, so I can understand why it wasn't read thoroughly.

1. DS, as stated in the OP, is 20 months.  He's a MOVER and doesn't understand all of the commands it would take to change him while standing.  Honestly, that would create an even bigger mess with poo.

2. Yes, poopy diapers reek.  At least in my mind. 

3. The WHOLE place was an "eating area" that day.  So in my defense, I wasn't thinking, "Ah, perfect!  People eating sandwiches!  I'll go change him RIGHT next to them..."  

4. To reiterate.........My question isn't "should I change a diaper in a public area?" so there's no need to provide answers to that.  Recall from the first post: I found myself in a bind, I don't blame the people for complaining, and I am genuinely looking for alternatives.  I'm after constructive suggestions and alternatives only, so---to repeat--no flames or reprimands, please.  

5. One detail that I forgot to add--It's been pretty dang cold here!  In the summer, I open my car trunk, empty it, and do the changing in there.  I look like a mobster... but it gets the job done.

6. The employee was genuinely interested in suggestions on how they could accommodate parents with tots.  The most sensible, inexpensive, and feasible suggestion that I've seen in this thread is to clean the bathroom floor first.  A business wanting to help could keep some Lysol wipes in the restroom, maybe appending the the container to the wall.  One of our grocery stores does this--keeping some up front to wipe down shopping cart seats and handles.  I know not everybody here on MDC is hip on the harsh chemicals.  But I think there's a time and place to pull out the Big Guns.  I'm also not the crunchiest potato chip in the MDC Bag....

i would think, apart from making changes on our part (i.e. getting over the bathroom floor germs etc...) that if the place was genuinely asking for suggestions that they could provide a more substantial changing table/area...seeing as though it is a family/young child centered place, no? i mean, you go to a babies r'us and they have a whole set-up with changing table, diaper pails.....ikea has a separate nursing/family bathroom which has comfy chairs etc....and is private and lockable.

[Skippy918]

We use the trunk of our Prius for diaper changes when there's no changing table at the store or restaurant.  DS is pretty cooperative during diaper changes when we're out.  At home is a different story.

[Chamomile Girl]

Originally Posted by number572 

OT!  :D

It is weird that, as a society, we don't dedicate more areas to caring for our young people.  Aren't there enough stressors involved with parenting?  Do we really need the added stress of where to change a child's diaper, where to feed them and feel safe and comfortable, and so many more of the issues I read daily here on MDC?

I mean, really... thinking about this more deeply, it's just SO crazy and seems like the adults of our society are way too self-focused.  Strikes me as so strange.  Why don't we give more to our youngest people, as a society?

I have been thinking about this lately too since my LO potty trained really young. To use a public toilet we have to take off his pants, shoes, socks and undies and I have to hold him up on the seat facing backwards. It is a giant PITA. But he is a champ about it . And then, of course, the sinks are totally inaccessible to him (as well as to anyone in a wheelchair...why is that ok?). Today it was such a relief to visit a family bathroom with a kid sized toilet and sink. Unfortunately his little butt was still too small for the toilet, but at least it was small-person sized.

OP I wonder why in a place that is designed to a large kid-to-adult ratio why they don't have more kid facilities? And after reading this thread maybe someone will invent some cool toddler-friendly public potties!

ETA: To anyone with small kids thinking about getting a new car I recommend the Honda Element. Car seats don't really fit but boy howdy they work really well for diaper changes and potty-seat porting. Rubbermaid floor and all...

[littlegreenlady]

My son has always hated changing tables.

He is also not a fan of the noises in busy public restrooms.

Oh yes and, he stopped laying on his back for diaper changes since he figured out how to roll over. I am a big fan of working with him not against him, so I've had to get creative at times.

I am guilty of changing the pee diapers around other people, and after reading this I will be more aware of how this may feel for them. I was doing it to avoid the restroom freak out, but I will accept the challenge to get creative. I'm thinking a song could help. Ok back to the topic at hand.

I use a variation on the stand up diaper change for poopy diapers. Like I mentioned he will not lay on his back, and he runs away if I let him stand.

I squat and take the diaper of while he is standing (be sure to fold up the shirt before doing this : )Then I bend him over my knees while I squat (hope that isn't confusing) I give him something to hold while I clean him up. I find that I can hold him with my body and upper left arm while using both hands to clean. You can lay a changing pad across your legs first if it's super messy, and use one hand to spread the legs if you need to get up front, while still holding the squirmer with your body and upper arm. I do it this way at home, and have only had to change a poopy diaper while out once, because he is also more comfortable going at home. My legs do get a little sore by the time I'm done, so I understand if it's just too much for you. I just wanted to put it out there because it hadn't been mentioned as an alternative.

I get not wanting to change a diaper in the car when it's cold.

[Everrgreen]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy 

Originally Posted by Gillian28 

I'm curious how all of you change a toddler poop standing up??  I've tried this before but it is impossible to clean the poop off of him.

It was a daunting task the first few times but it's not as hard as it sounds (especially with an older toddler who can cooperate better!) I just help him pull down his pants, ask him to hold up his shirt, remove the diaper carefully, wipe, and then ask him to lean forward if it's a really messy one so I can wipe better (usually don't even have to do that)... it might be hard if your kid isn't willing to stay still though, I could see how that would get messy... Oh and I guess this is obvious but in case it's not, I change him immediately after he poops -- so it really doesn't get a chance to smear all over him or anything like it might if he pooped and then ran around and climbed and jumped for 20 minutes first... Why was it hard when you tried before?

Thanks for the tips :)  I think my DS has a tendency to 'clench' when he's standing up.  I should try bending him forward over my knee.  When I tried before it was impossible to get a wipe between his butt cheeks, he just wouldn't relax :/ 

OP - is it the type of change table that's a problem (ie the plastic ones with no sides?)  Maybe they could invest in a more solid change table?   I think that's the only thing the place centre could do on their end. 

[MomtoDandJ]

I carry a stack of extra large garbage bags in my diaper bag. When I'm in a pinch like you described, I lay a large garbage bag on the floor of the bathroom so I know my child won't be on a dirty surface. Then I change the diaper as fast as possible!

[number572]

Originally Posted by MomtoDandJ 

I carry a stack of extra large garbage bags in my diaper bag. When I'm in a pinch like you described, I lay a large garbage bag on the floor of the bathroom so I know my child won't be on a dirty surface. Then I change the diaper as fast as possible!

Oh, Thx, this is going in my big bag of tricks.  Thank you.

[JacqNS]

ETA: To anyone with small kids thinking about getting a new car I recommend the Honda Element. Car seats don't really fit but boy howdy they work really well for diaper changes and potty-seat porting. Rubbermaid floor and all...

This made me laugh!

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by Gillian28 

OP - is it the type of change table that's a problem (ie the plastic ones with no sides?)  Maybe they could invest in a more solid change table?   I think that's the only thing the place centre could do on their end. 

Yes!  You know the kind....you're always questioning how well it's attached to the wall! 

I carry a stack of extra large garbage bags in my diaper bag. When I'm in a pinch like you described, I lay a large garbage bag on the floor of the bathroom so I know my child won't be on a dirty surface. Then I change the diaper as fast as possible!

BRILLIANT!!  Thank you.  THIS is the kind of stuff I was looking for!!   

That would also give DS a little squirm room. 

[marsupial-mom]

I love this comment:

Originally Posted by number572 

OT!  :D

It is weird that, as a society, we don't dedicate more areas to caring for our young people.  Aren't there enough stressors involved with parenting?  Do we really need the added stress of where to change a child's diaper, where to feed them and feel safe and comfortable, and so many more of the issues I read daily here on MDC?

I mean, really... thinking about this more deeply, it's just SO crazy and seems like the adults of our society are way too self-focused.  Strikes me as so strange.  Why don't we give more to our youngest people, as a society?

Just wanted to say that. I completely agree!

[MamieCole]

Well, I'm not going to be much help, because I would have used the changing table. I always have a sling/blanket/jacket something that I put on the table not only for padding, but also for germs. I never use the belt thing. I really don't understand the whole "can't use it cause my kid won't be still" thing. I have a wiggly worm 16 month old. A SUPER wiggly worm. We use a changing table at home. We use changing tables when we are out. Sometimes he is more cooperative than others. When he is wild and wiggly and squirmy, I remind him to be still. I say things like "Almost done, just another minute, I'll be done when I finish counting to ten," etc. When that doesn't work, I pull out something from my purse/diaper bag that he hasn't seen in a while or is otherwise not allowed to play with: keys, wallet, lip gloss, compact, mirror, random coupon, wipe container, lid to a plastic cup...anything to distract him for a moment while I wipe and get a new diaper on. After the new dipe is on, if he is arching/wiggling again, I just stand him up and finish putting his bottoms back on. 

So, I guess my helpful suggestion is to keep random items in your bag and use the changing table. 

Also, unless you are at some random run-down gas station, those tables are super sturdy and attached well. They have weight capacities on them for reference. A place that caters to parents and children would most likely have them properly installed. I'm sure a parent would complain right away if they noticed it was compromised in any way. When in doubt, applying pressure to it to test it out might give you more confidence. 

In the event that no changing table was available, I'd go to the car and use the front seat or rear floor board if necessary. Even if it was cold. 

[ellairiesmom]

Yes, IF weather permitted, the trunk of our Prius is a favorite spot, but definitely not when it's cold.

I LOVE the garbage bag idea...I was going to say that maybe these would work also?  I don't like using these disposable type, vinyl products, but in a bind, they could be worth it & to keep a couple in a diaper bag would be easy.  I would probably still wipe down the floor in the bathroom where I was going to put them down for more peace of mind. 

I tend to think that anything that is on the floor of a restroom, ends up on the floor everywhere else as folks walk in, out, around etc.  And even when the floors are mopped, it's with dirty water.  I was in a Target recently where I saw an EE clean up an overflowed toilet with a mop & bucket & then continue to mop the rest of the floor without changing the water.  EWWWWWWW!