Diapering older SN children (with privacy and dignity)

[meganmommyof5]

Hello all. DD is 4, non-verbal, doesn't walk (yet), etc. We still diaper her exclusively. She has exceeded the weight limit of the public fold-out changing tables by a significant margin, so we often have difficulty finding a private place to diaper her. If necessary, I'll bust out our supplies and diaper her anywhere (I'm shameless, and her needs come first). But I would much rather find solutions that give her the privacy and dignity she deserves. Any thoughts?

[KatWrangler]

My oldest daughter is 5 and is in pull-ups (she has a neurogenic bladder). I am lucky that she is still tiny. However, I can change her standing up. Would you be able to go in a handicap stall and change her standing up?

[meganmommyof5]

Unfortunately, no. She doesn't stand on her own yet, and we have to use the medical diapers with tabs.

[KatWrangler]

That is a tough one. Let me think. I am on several spina bifida boards and some kids are in wheel chairs. Let me see what I can come up with for ideas. I think a lot of parents take the child to the car and change there. But that is a PIA.

[meganmommyof5]

Yes it is! The car is an option, but it can be difficult when we're nowhere near it and DD has to be changed asap. Just this weekend, I used a picnic table at the dog park. Not ideal, but it was either that or the ground.

[KCMichigan]

Can you make/buy a small yoga mat to lay down? You can find inexpensive ones that are large floor covering but small enough for a med/large purse.

I know that some of the SN kiddos I worked with used them in public bathrooms -laying the mat on floor of handicapped stall or family bathroom.

Even disposable chucks  (spelling??) can be found at a hospital supply store. That is what the schools use to cover a raised braced table (waist hight for an adult to assist in changing) for  SN kiddos.

My DD wears pull-ups, but is fully mobile so we simply changer her in a restroom (standing)

Edited by KCMichigan - 4/18/11 at 6:39pm

[laohaire]

Are you crafty or handy at all? I tried to search for existing products, but didn't come up with any that I thought hit the mark. But I was thinking something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Roam-Holiday-Napper-Changing-Station/dp/B001814A7Y

This specific product is for a baby, so it's too small, but it hits upon what I was thinking about - that you could maybe rig up a mat in a way that the sides can velcro together to make for some slight privacy, like the sides of a box.

Another idea I had (which is also not necessarily a great one but I'm writing it in case it sparks more, better, ideas) is a pop-up laundry hamper. Obviously she's not going to exactly fit in one, but I was just sort of thinking about maybe cutting open two sides like  wings, in a way, and that provides a little privacy (with you, of course, standing on her bottom end and giving some privacy that way).

I didn't focus my thoughts so much on the mat since I think there are several good options out there - yoga mat, like a PP suggested, or I've seen various picnic blankets and so on (I actually have one that folds up and has carrying handles, and the bottom side is nylon so there is a water barrier, and the top side is a very soft fleece). Like maybe this one: http://perfectimprints.com/sunshine-outdoor-picnic-blanket-tote-with-carrying-handle-59-x-51.html

Hmm, if that is a fairly stiff blanket, you could get two and have one be the mat and the other kind of stand up as a two-sided privacy screen? And the whole contraption wouldn't be too bad to carry around. And the colors are nice, they can feel kind of special.

[KatWrangler]

I posted a question for you on two of the boards I am on. I will let you know what they suggest.

[BeautyforAshes]

My best suggestion for privacy when on-the-go would be one of those little tents designed for ball pits (some fold flat, I think) like this one: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/180-5958502-0572752?asin=B001URY7YM&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B001URY7YM

or perhaps even one meant to be a play tent like this:

http://www.target.com/Pacific-Play-Tents-One-Touch-Beach/dp/B001T1LJUY/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton   There are so many out there, you would want to find the one that gives the most privacy and is easiest to put up and down, obviously.   

Another option that you might consider (I LOVE ours!) could serve double duty as a travel bed:  http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=537379&cmSource=Search

We have the smaller version, but it is great--so comfy as a bed, folds up into a tiny package, and set-up is super EASY.  For quick changes out in public, you could skip the air mattress and just use the yoga mat or just the sleeping-bag type pad that comes with it.  It could even be used on top of a picnic table

Hope that helps!

Edited by BeautyforAshes - 4/18/11 at 10:13pm

[Jane]

Do you use a stroller or a wheelchair?  I know a few strollers that go to 55 pounds and yet still fold flat for a newborn.  It would be a tight fit, but you could take her into the large stall and change her in the stroller with a mat under her. 

I've changed big kids on the floor in the stall, but then I have a blanket where one side is potentially poopy and one side touched the wet bathroom floor.  And I'm supposed to put it in my bag?  Ew.  And, also, people can see under the stall.  That's not great when it's an adult or big kid you're changing - they think you're doing something bad. 

Eventually, she'll likely poop only at certain times, like once a day in the morning.  That will be awesome, if it happens.  You can just plan around it.   

[GoBecGo]

Do any of the malls have the adult changing facilities with a full-size stretcher?  I have noticed a number of our more modern malls (i'm in the UK) have them now.  Or you can ask if there are disabled assisted changing facilities because sometimes they exist but are either poorly signposted (i.e. it's a locked door with NO sign on it) or heavily policed (you need to find the staff member with the key to get into it to prevent it being abused by those who just don't want to queue during busier times at the regular toilets).

[KatWrangler]

I did get a response from your request. Most said, they are in the same boat, sadly. Most said they go back out to their car/van to change the child. I did get the suggestion of changing in the stroller by putting the back all the way back. Go in a handicap stall or a family bathroom if available.

Otherwise, the option is the family bathroom and using the floor. Not the best option though.

[Emmeline II]

Perhaps you would find something useful in camping supplies. Maybe a screen that could be carried like one of those fabric collapsible chairs people take to sporting events.

Found one; here is a pop up and it comes with a carry tote. Reviewers suggest taking note of how it folds before letting it pop-up, and that there is a video online on how to use it.

[imogenlily]

I would agree about pull-up style diapers being easier when out. Does she sit up unassisted? I've found pull-up style diapers can be changed relatively easily sitting on a toilet, if she's able to sit up unassisted.

[meganmommyof5]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm going to look into all of them and figure out a way to make this work. She does have a wheelchair, but the way it's constructed would make changing her in it very messy and difficult. I like the idea of a yoga mat and some sort of pop-up screen or tent. We could keep it in the car and bring it with us on longer outings. I really appreciate th input!

[meganmommyof5]

She does sit up unassisted, but she has a medical condition that makes pull-ups less feasible due to their lower absorbancy. She's also nealry 60 lbs, and has tone issues, to she has to be laying down for changes. Thank you for the suggestion! Please keep them coming :)

 

Originally Posted by imogenlily 

I would agree about pull-up style diapers being easier when out. Does she sit up unassisted? I've found pull-up style diapers can be changed relatively easily sitting on a toilet, if she's able to sit up unassisted.

[imogenlily]

On public change tables where weight is an issue, is she also too long/tall? If you could brace the change table at all, with say, two collapsible hiking sticks, and circumvent the weight issue, you might be able to get a little more time out of public change tables, until she gets too tall.