Public Diaper Changing Etiquette

[Anonymous]

My family recently got back from a trip to NYC, which is the land that time forgot when it comes to diaper changing stations. On the train, we were told the handicap access panel (which measures approximately 12" by 6") doubles as a diaper changer. That was ludicrous. Then restaurant after restaurant had no changing station, so if you wanted to change a diaper in the bathroom you could choose between: (a) the toilet, if it had a lid; (b) the narrow bathroom counter; or (c) the bathroom floor. Adding to the problem, DD is 9 mos old. She crawls and rolls quite a bit, making narrow counter changes dangerous. The restaurants were otherwise family friendly. There were other kids and all offered high chairs. But where were diapers getting changed?

DC is better for diaper changers, but far from perfect, leading to the questions--Is it rude to change a diaper in public? Does it matter if it is a restaurant and other people are eating?

[Anonymous]

I went to NYC when my son was 16 mos, and I think I changed him on my lap in the bathroom on the train and in restaurants with no table. He could also potentially stand during a diaper change, which your baby may be too young to do.
I would not change a baby in a restaurant except in the bathroom. On an outdoor park bench, in the corner of a museum, etc I would and have, but I try to be discrete. You can bring a large folding changing pad so if you do need to use something like a bathroom floor, you are prepared. I have also changed a lot of diapers in bathroom with my son in his stroller.

[Anonymous]

It is gross to change a diaper in the public area of a restaurant, museum, airport, train station, whether wet or dirty. Find a spot and have your DH stand in front of you if wherever you are has no changing area.

[Anonymous]

I would change a diaper in "public"-- for example, if we're at the park I'll take DD to the grass and change her diaper. But I wouldn't do it in a restaurant. That's just gross. If I'm eating dinner, I don't want the smell of dirty diapers wafting over to my table!!

I carry a thin receiving blanket in the diaper bag for this purpose-- if we're in a restaurant bathroom with no changing table, I put the receiving blanket on the floor and then the changing pad. This way, if DD rolls she rolls on the blanket, not the dirty floor.

[Anonymous]

Ask your parents....what did you do when I was an infant?

[Anonymous]

Definitely do not change a diaper in a restaurant, unless it's in the bathroom.

I've changed diapers discreetly in corners and in parks before. Bring a portable diaper changing mat. You can also put the mat on your lap and change the baby on your lap. Just be discreet and make sure you clean up after yourself.

[Anonymous]

I was in a park recently and a mom changed her baby's diaper on one of the slides (the flat area, at the bottom of the slide), without a changing pad. needless to say, I wouldn't let my kids slide down it after that. I'm fine with park diaper changes, but why on earth would you do it on the playground equipment, without a changing pad??

[Anonymous]

I've changed my kid on many a bathroom floor, park bench, etc. But yeah, wouldn't change it in a restaurant with people eating. It gets better once they can stand since you can change non-poop diapers standing up.

[Anonymous]

Get a patemm pad - they are pretty big and will cover the surface of most anything if you are forced to do it on the floor of a bathroom.

[Anonymous]

In a restaurant? OMG. I'd be really peeved if I saw/smelled that. I've put a mat down on the bathroom floor. It's gross, but that's the best I could do at the time. I never could manage on my lap even when my kid was small.

[Anonymous]

I have seen ppl change diapers in the booth of a restaurant table a few too many times in Bethesda! I actually saw a woman leave her table and go sit in an empty booth to do it. What the hell is wrong with ppl who do this? I was on shock that the manager did not say anything! Gross and completely disrespectful!

[Anonymous]

I saw someone change a diaper on the table at a Wendy's....then throw the dirty one away ON THE TRAY.

[Anonymous]

Never at a table or out to eat. I will change in the car (rarely but its easier when they are older), in the bathroom, etc. I don't like to change in the wide open... no one needs to see it if I can avoid it but sometimes its a necessary evil as I don't want my child sitting in a wet diaper.

Try learning to use your stroller or car seat. There are a few ways to do it. When she learns to stand, just change standing up and it makes things much easier as some kids, like ours go through the I will not lay down for diaper changes.. it takes some getting used to but its easy once you learn, especially for pee.

Also, bring a thick changing pad and a muslin swaddle blanket for the floor if you are in a bind. Or, they make paper/disposable changing pads I used to use everywhere when my son was smaller.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it in a restaurant, but I have changed my baby on a plane in my lap in the seat with people next to me. You do what you have to do. I do lots of lap changes, which is hard now at 27 pds...

[Anonymous]

I take my little one everywhere and we've experienced this. It's irritating. But that doesn't mean you should change your child in front of people. The smell could really put someone off their meal and there really is a sanitation issue. (For those folks changing diapers on planes, they have to do special cleaning after you leave, even if you don't make a mess - it's a rule). I agree it's extremely frustrating to have to do a lap change but sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do.