Public Diaper Changes, What Are the Guidelines?

[inkkognito]

I just did an article on poopy diapers at Disney World, and it got me to thinking. What are the guidelines for when it's acceptable, and when should you wait even tho' Junior has a full load? Do you wait or make the change when you're on a crowded bus or monorail? When you're in the middle of a line? Click here to see my article...I tried to be even-handed, but I wonder if parents are going to lambast me for saying "never in the middle of a really close crowd."

 

[blessedby3]

I would never change my child on a bus or monorail. You would be getting off fairly quickly so no need to expose everyone to that
If my child had a bad diaper in line, I would just get out of line and leave the rest of my family to ride the ride. Unless we were very close and then I would just take her on through and change once we were off.

 

[brendaziz]

OK- so here's my opinion on the whole matter.
I would never in an enclosed space like monorail or bus. Just too gross to release that in a tight area.
Alot of my personal preference has to do w/ age. A newborn doesn't have gross enough poop for it to bother me to change on a bench or something like that. But chances are if there's a bench nearby there's a bathroom w/ changing table nearby so i think it's appropriate to go there.
A big kid- w/ poop- would never do it anywhere around people in the open. Once it's grown up poop (solid food eating children) it's too gross to do around people other than family and what not.

So basically if it's a little baby- i dont have a problem w/ other poeple doing it- and I woudl do it if the situation made it really difficult to find a better place. Also b/c little babies can't always wait to get diaper changes w/o beign in pain from severe diaper rash and they need em more often.
With a bigger kid- i'm gonna go somewhere private.

 

[tnmomof4]

I think your article is great!! I agree with everything you said. This is kind of a pet peeve of mine. I took my twins to Disney when they were babies. Even though changing twice the diapers was time consuming, I would never change them on the train or monorail. I wouldn't change them on a bench either.

You are right... there are bathrooms everywhere. I even found a website that a lady has, where she has listed every bathroom at all the parks and DTD, and exactly where they are located. She even has pictures of the locations and the insides of the bathrooms. I printed this out before we went, so I knew exactly where to find a bathroom no matter where we were.

If we were in line, and a baby needed changing, I would just get out and let my family ride the ride while I changed the diaper. Especially if it was poopy.

When we went in November, I saw a lady change her baby's diaper on the seat at 50's Prime Time Cafe. I saw diapers getting changed on benches at least twice. I also on one trip saw a diaper getting changed on the monorail. I also saw a diaper getting changed at Playhouse Disney on the floor, and it was a dirty diaper, everyone around was moving away.

With so many bathrooms, I just don't know why people don't use them.

 

[inkkognito]

Yes, I love that bathroom website. I linked to it in another of my Examiner articles. I included the Baby Care Centers in this one because I think a lot of people don't even know they exist. Not that it helps when baby has just made a big mess while on a bus or boat, tho'.

 

[vicki_c]

Wow! My kids are past diaper age now, but I don't think I ever changed either of them anywhere at WDW but a bathroom or the back of our van. Ever. Apparently, I'm not paying enough attention (sounds like a good thing), because I had no clue people were changing their kids outside the bathroom! (and I'm referring to WDW specifically, where there are a zillion bathrooms everywhere - I do get that at some other places you might not have an option).

 

[PEANUT1]

what about an airplane without a baby changing table?? We flew southwest last year when my daughter was 1 1/2. The bathroom didn't have place to change her. I used an empty row in the back of the plane. What would I do if there was not an empty row??

 

[seashoreCM]

I don't think there are any guidelines now but I think Disney should establish and enforce some, considering that changing diapers in some places creates a highly unsanitary condition. Changing diapers anywhere where food is served, which includes airplane seats and tray tables, should be "verboten".

>>> If my child had a bad diaper in line, I would just get out of line ...

Thank you for putting on your parent hat even though I and many of us cannot wear a park guest hat (or a photographer's hat) at the same time.

 

[MarkFL]

Not on a picnic table, please.

 

[tnmomof4]

what about an airplane without a baby changing table?? We flew southwest last year when my daughter was 1 1/2. The bathroom didn't have place to change her. I used an empty row in the back of the plane. What would I do if there was not an empty row??

I flew Southwest with a baby. There were no empty seats. When I had to change their diaper, I had to use the bathroom, I had no choice. The flight attendent told me to just put the lid down on the toilet and use that area. She said people did that all the time. Lucky for me I had disinfecting wipes with me to wipe down this area.

 

[RoadTripFanatic]

Ok ,if you are flying and there is no changing table in the bathroom here is the best way to handle it. Assuming the seat belt sign is off. Have your DH get out of his seat. (Now you have two empty seats.) Put the changing pad over the seat to protect it and your baby from anything icky. Have DH hold up a blanket to provide some privacy. QUICKLY change your baby's diaper. Pack that diaper up in a zip lock bag and dispose of it where the flight attendent tells you to. Problem solved. The changing pad keeps the seat safe from goo and it's a cleaner place than the bathroom. It's not ideal but it's better than the top of the toilet seat.

I'm a firm believer if there are changing places in the bathroom that is where a child should be changed. Please do not change them where I can see them. Whatever you do please do not change them on the tables where I might eat my dinner!

 

[inkkognito]

I agree about the bathroom on a plane, even if there is no table. But it seems like there ought to be some aviation rule that any plane flying to Orlando is required to have a changing table!

 

[RoadTripFanatic]

I agree about the bathroom on a plane, even if there is no table. But it seems like there ought to be some aviation rule that any plane flying to Orlando is required to have a changing table!

ABSOLUTELY! Actually my FAVORITE bathroom's are the one's on the BIG planes with a handicap bathroom (great when you have to fit in there with a toddler!) and a changing table.

 

[tartemis]

I flew Southwest with a baby. There were no empty seats. When I had to change their diaper, I had to use the bathroom, I had no choice. The flight attendent told me to just put the lid down on the toilet and use that area. She said people did that all the time. Lucky for me I had disinfecting wipes with me to wipe down this area.

I'm shocked that there wasn't a change table in the bathroom (not that I'm doubting your story.) I have only flown on a plane with my daughter once, when she was almost 6 months old, but the bathroom on our AA flight to Orlando had one. I don't know what I would have done without it. I would imagine that trying to change a larger child on a toilet seat would be quite difficult.

 

[CLR4321]

When my DS was a baby I would change him in public as needed, but in a reasonable place (not on a picnic table!) I always carried small blankets or a changing pad with me to lay down under his bottom, and did it as quickly as possible. I carried plastic bags to toss diapers in as soon as possible so people did not have to smell it. I never would have changed his diaper on a monorail! That is just mean....it's not like people could get away! I think that Disney provides some of the best baby care options out of any public place and that it is not a major issue.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

I would never poop in line, on the monerail or in a bus so why in the world would I (or ANY"ONE) think its acceptable to change a diaper in a pubic place.

The plane issues is totally different - its unavoidable and you do what you have to do. back in the day changing pads came in your diaper bags or little blanket and if you had to you'd just throw that on the floor and change the boys on that.

I also cant stand when parents dont seal their dirty smelly diapers in a plastic bag just as a curtesy for everyone who has to walk by that trash container.

 

[ckdsnynt]

Changing a child on a picnic table or a bench isn't a good thing for the child (germs everywhere), the public that is presently around or the public that uses that table or bench after you!

 

[bavaria]

what about an airplane without a baby changing table?? We flew southwest last year when my daughter was 1 1/2. The bathroom didn't have place to change her. I used an empty row in the back of the plane. What would I do if there was not an empty row??

Thankfully most FAs would have put a stop to that behaviour and I often see them doing so. Changing a diaper on an airline seat is not appropriate as the waste material could leak onto the seat. Other posters have given steps as how to change using the closed toilet lid. In past other posters have suggested a changing pad on the floor by the lav.

Or ask the FA - they will make appropriate suggestions for you.

 

[Liljam]

I read the article and agree. I have to say this about the restrooms I ventured in to though while at WDW when I was not near the Baby Centers with my 3MO DS last year. They aren't places I will take my son to change him on his next vacation and I used a restroom only once for changing while in the park. I suppose they get used frequently, and I felt more comfortable with finding a private spot to change my son outside. I was extremely discreet though and would never think of doing this around people eating or in closed areas or in line. After I changed him, I put his soileds in plastic baggies made for dirty diapers and then in a second plastic bag to throw away when we returned to our villa or to the Baby Center where they could be disposed of properly. We loved the centers and used those so often that we rarely ran in to needing to change DS outside of there, but it did happen a few times. The dirtiest bathroom I saw was the one at DHS right beside ToT and Fantasmic. I actually had to help a mom clean up the changing table so she could even use it. It was frustrating to see her struggle too because no other women in there even offered to help her and it was just crowded and messy. Honestly, in addition to the BC, I wish the parks would install more Family/Companion restrooms that could be monitored for proper use. I do agree with the poster that I wouldn't be phased my an infant being changed right next to me if it was a much needed situation, even in line, but once the child has begun to eat solids, it's time to be more discreet.... just never in a place where we eat..... eww!

 

[theatermouse]

I've changed my son in public more than once. It's amazing the places for families that don't have a changing table (Burger King being the first the comes to mind). I have changed him on a plane in our seat, on benches at our local amusement parks (bathrooms are not plentiful), and anywhere else that was available to us. He is at a point now where the changing table scare the snot out of him & he screams bloody murder when laid on one (I think it's because his feet hang off the end and he feels like he's falling). I have changed him in many booths and if people can see what I'm doing when I do it, then they're watching too closely.

Just my 2 pennies thrown into the pot.