I am the only one who won't use a diaper changing station???

[JessetheCowgirl]

I have always been a little obsessive/compulsive when it comes to germs.

And I never ever change diapers on the diaper changers in restrooms. If we are somewhere in our hometown, I will take DD (and did the same with my other two when they were in diapers) to the back of our van and change her there--on HER changing pad.

At Disney or other such places, I wheel the stroller (OUR stroller--not a rental) into the restroom or to a semi-private place, i.e. a dead end past a restroom entrance, etc, and change her on her changing pad in the stroller.

The thought of what is on those changing tables just disgusts me!

Please tell me I'm not the only one???

 

[LisaZoe]

I'm afraid I'm not "with you" on this one. I have used changing stations but will, of course, check it first. I also carry a travel sized package of bleach wipes to use and then will put down a changing pad or disposable paper liner. I didn't let my DD crawl around on it and always washed her hands well afterwards, though. I feel even more comfortable at Disney.

 

[Disney_1derland]

I've seen so many posts about people hating public diaper changers and I just think, yeah, but would you put your kid on the diaper changing station????

We are very discreet and go out of our way to change our child in places where nobody will see but we rarely if ever use the diaper stations. Except the ones in the baby care centers, those are attended and cleaned a little more often and I've never had a problem with those. I also hate the idea of taking my changing pad out of the diaper bag, laying it on the changing station then putting it, germs and all, back in the diaper bag.

I'm not weird about germs over anything but this, glad to know I'm not alone!

 

[BevS97]

Nope - I am always very thankful for every baby change area I find -
I have changed DD in her stroller, or in the back of the car, but it's not something I would choose to do - if there is a baby change area, then I am quite happy to use it. I wish there were more.

 

[Missus Toad]

I was at DL rcently and I found the changing stations to be quite clean. I am a complete germ freak myself and only used them out of desperation, but was pleasantly surprised. They had a dispenser for these cloth-like paper towel things that were pretty thick. I used a ton of them and covered the entire station, which, again, wasn't gross or anything to begin with, TG. My one year old wasn't allowed to touch anything, and we scrubbed up completely afterwards. That said, I'd prefer to use the baby care center, but in a pinch, the changing stations worked fine. I'm wondering if they have a similar set-up at WDW (I've never been there with a baby!).

Just another note, you can also buy disposable changing pads to carry around and toss 'em when you're done. They're a nice size and very thick too. I also hate putting a pad back in the diaper bag. I forgot to pack my 'sposie pads for DL, but won't for our WDW trip.

 

[liznboys]

I'm with you. I've only used a changing station once and I'm on my 3rd baby. I'll do the same things you do to avoid them, use the car or stroller!!

 

[HillPete]

I'll use an anti-bac wipe of some sort on the whole changing area, then scrub down my son's hands and the back of the changing pad before I put it away. I sometimes cover the whole area with paper towels before I put down the changing pad. If it's really far or really nasty, the stroller works just fine, as does the back of the van or an out-of-the-way bench. I guess I'm pretty adaptable, as long as I have my wipes!!

--H

 

[justhat]

I use those Huggies disposable changing pads, they have a plasticky bottom and a soft top and they cover the entire changing area. Then I just throw it out when I'm done so I don't have to worry about putting the germy thing back in the diaper bag. We've done changes in her stroller and in the back of our SUV, but we also got yelled at by a CM at AK for changing my then 3 month old in her stroller outside Pizzafari, sort of on the sad of it going towards the back. We had finished our meal and were waiting for our group to use the bathroom, and I decided to change my daughter so I figured I'd just do it in the stroller since we were in an out of the way location, but th CM told me I can't change a baby outside, I have to do it in the bathroom or use the baby care center. Had I known I was that close to the baby care center, I would have just gone there, but I had never used it at that time. I was already finished changing her when the CM told me I couldn't anyway so it didnt' matter, but it did make me use the bathrooms and baby care centers the rest of the trip.

 

[MommyBoo!]

I use the Huggies disposable pads too. They're huge and cover a large area. I do change DD7mos in the car a lot too. I would never change her in the stroller only because I have never seen a baby blow out a diaper like this girl! There just wouldn't be enough room in the stroller for a major cleanup if I needed it.

 

[momxx5]

I'm with you!!!

I change my baby anywhere but there. LOL! Of course it is a discreet place, secluded bench, stroller, etc. I do not want to offend anyone, but I am not going to use those germ magnets.

The disposable wipes are a great idea, but since I have 5 children all within years, it is a bit hard to wipe it down, keep an eye on an other, etc.

I can change a baby of my lap just about anywhere or in a booth at a restaurant and no one is the wiser.

 

[cinder1]

I use the changing areas, but many times have changed diapers in a stroller or. like yesterday, in the front seat of my van. Why would a CM say you can't change a baby anywhere but the bathroom or baby station. Who cares? The things people get upset over!! It's just a baby!!

 

[justhat]

She said it was a "hygiene violation". I wasn't sure if she just made this up, or if it was somehow true that WDW had a policy against changing a baby wherever. I mean, she was just wet and I threw the diaper out in a baggy, same as I would do in the bathroom. I feel that way too, though, it's just a baby. My husband thinks it's weird that I take a bath with her cause she probably pees in the bathtub. I keep telling him baby pee is not the end of the world (not to mention we've all been exposed to that in a swimming pool), but he still won't take her into the bathtub.

 

[all4fun]

I used the diaper changing stations at WDW. I carried antibacterial wipes and a changing pad (which I also wiped down). I found the stations to be very well kept up. Most of them were stainless steel countertops, so they're very easy to clean. I don't LIKE to use them, but I also really don't feel comfortable using my stroller either. Like a pp mentioned, if ds has a blowout, it would be a lot easier to clean up in a station than in his stroller. I don't want to think about the germs I would be leaving in his stroller that might make him sick later on.

As far as the cm who told the pp that changing the diaper outside was a health code violation, I would bet that isn't made up. Just like you or I would be expected to use the restroom, the same follows for babies. (whether you use the changing station or your stroller). It probably is intended to at least mitigate the risk of spreading germs. I also think that since sinks are readily available in the restroom that people would be more likely to wash their hands after changing a diaper, where as you might forget if you're outside a restroom or possibly touch several different surfaces on your way to the restroom to wash your hands. (Not trying to insinuate that anyone here isn't using personal hygeine, I'm just speculating as to why there would be such a rule in the health code. )

Also, reading through the thread someone stated they have changed their little one's diaper right on the bench seat in a restaurant. Personally the thought of someone changing their baby's diaper right on the seat where I might be eating my next meal....ewwww.

JMHO

 

[ahutton]

I have a mini-size can of Lysol in my bag, as well as wipes, so I feel okay using the changing station. I spray, put down my pad and change if it looks clean. If there is obvious mess then I'll clean it, spray it and then change... Of course, after they reach a certain age I'm not so worried, but we took DD when she was 3 weeks old, and I was super careful knowing her imune system was not up to full speed.

 

[GEM]

So, if everyone avoids the changing stations because they are "germ magnets" and they instead change poopy diapers on benches, chairs, etc. Then do the benches, chairs, restaurant booths (double yuck), etc. not become "germ magnets" themselves?

Personally, I use the disposable pads mentioned and put them down over the changing table. If we're not near a restroom, I will lay back the stroller and change him there, but I always pull off to a relatively deserted area to do that. And, of course, I've changed him in the car many, many times. I wouldn't ever change him on a bench or someplace like that, though, unless there was absolutely no choice. Baby poop is still poop.

And let's not even talk about changing a diaper in a restaurant. I honestly can't believe that anyone would really do that.



Maybe those babies don't poop like my little guy does, but if I were to change one of his stinky diapers in a restaurant, believe me, everyone would know.

 

[dkal95]

I'm with you! I will NOT use any changing station, any where. ICK!!!

I will change our DD on her changing pad in her stroller or in the car.

I think I've watched one too many 20/20 shows where they do those germ swab tests!

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Originally posted by GEM
So, if everyone avoids the changing stations because they are "germ magnets" and they instead change poopy diapers on benches, chairs, etc. Then do the benches, chairs, restaurant booths (double yuck), etc. not become "germ magnets" themselves?

Personally, I use the disposable pads mentioned and put them down over the changing table. If we're not near a restroom, I will lay back the stroller and change him there, but I always pull off to a relatively deserted area to do that. And, of course, I've changed him in the car many, many times. I wouldn't ever change him on a bench or someplace like that, though, unless there was absolutely no choice. Baby poop is still poop.

And let's not even talk about changing a diaper in a restaurant. I honestly can't believe that anyone would really do that.



Maybe those babies don't poop like my little guy does, but if I were to change one of his stinky diapers in a restaurant, believe me, everyone would know.

Actually, I only saw one person mention here using a booth (which I would never do).

I only change DD in her OWN stroller on her OWN changing pad or in our OWN minivan; not on benches and other public places you mentioned.

I just can't bring myself to use the changing tables

 

[DWhittles]

I use these wonderful disposable changing pads made by Huggies. They are large enough to cover any exposed area of a changing table that your munchkin might lay on and when you are done you can toss it out.
Having said that, I'm not germaphobic and have no problem changing my little guy on the public ones if I'm lucky enough to find them or I'll lay on of the pads on the floor (they really are huge) and change him on the floor of the bathroom if there isn't any other place to do it.
Diana

 

[Goingtodisneyworld]

I do use & am always thankful for changing tables!! Just wondering for those of you that do Not use, how often your babies get sick?

I have also NURSED until DD was 13 ½ months, one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, however am very proud & thankful as DD has never been sick, not even a diaper rash!

One more ~ we live on a very modest budget so I may stay home with them!!!

Good Luck to you All!!

 

[JamesMom]

I am not a germophobe either. I use public changing tables if I need one. I use the disposible pad or just plain old paper towels and keep his bum in the air during the deed. Wash the hands after and you're all set!

JamesMom
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Planning Trip #8 w/23mDS
ASMu - Dec 9-14