Dive Diva
Telling it like it is
For all you parents of little ones out there or parents to be, you know changing diapers is an all day everyday way of life till your child is fully potty trained. However, changing a diaper while out in public can be challenging when the public restrooms aren't equipped with a simple changing table! Impossible? No! But, can prove to be a challenge in some circumstances none the less.
When I'm in public with my little one, I always ask if the public restrooms have a changing table and more often than not, the answer is usually no. Now I consider myself to be a great mamma and never let my little one just sit in her own filth, which has led up to some pretty creative ways to keep my baby clean and sanitary in the diaper department. I can't count how many times I've had to leave the establishment to go and change her out in my truck, changed her in dressing rooms. And no, I'm not one of those gross moms that leaves a dirty diaper in the changing room when we're done. I've even taken the cup holder off her stroller and used the bassinet feature as a makeshift changing table, but I don't always have the stroller with me so that isn't always available. And if she has a massive blowout that simply can't wait to find a place to comfortably change her, it's nothing for me to drop her diaper bag and changing pad to clean her up right there on the floor. While some may think that a little inconvenience never hurt anybody, chances are they've never had to kneel down to change a diaper on the floor while healing from a c-section. I know first hand not only how painful that can be, but also how difficult it is because you have absolutely NO core strength.
The lack of changing tables isn't just limited to the women's restrooms, but men's as well! Every single time my husband and I are in public, he makes the comment how there is no changing table in the men's restrooms. Some may ask, "why would there be a changing table in the men's restrooms?" I guess it's escaped their minds that there are in fact some single dads out there who just might need to change their baby's diaper. And believe it or not people, there are also great daddies/ husband's out there like my hubby who offer to take the baby for a change of diapers only to return to say there's no changing table in the men's bathrooms. This not only defeats the purpose of trying to help the mamma out with sharing the parental responsibilities, but also cheats a caring and loving father out of caring for their little one.
When my family and I go out to dinner, my husband always finishes his food first. And as the loving daddy that he is, offers to take our little one for a change if needed while I finish my food. While I appreciate the gesture, he returns 100% of the time to say there is no changing table in the men's restroom. So as usual, I leave my meal to clean up our daughter, only to return to a cold meal. This was a major topic I brought up to my mom when she gave me a tour of her dental office's new building. I asked if there were changing tables in the restrooms and she told me only in the women's. When I asked where do single dads change their babies, she said "huh, I never thought of that" when I told her about how my husband can never change our baby in public she said she would discuss it with the doctors and try to get one installed in the men's as well. Personally, I think it should be the law that EVERY public bathroom have a table installed. Parents should be able to change their little ones in the privacy of a restroom giving dignity to both the parent and child.
So if you're a business owner who currently does not have changing tables in BOTH the men's and women's restrooms, take it from a mom who can tell you first hand that just by adding this one small feature to BOTH restrooms can honestly mean so much to a parent trying to care for their little one, mom's and dads alike. It's a simple small addition that folds up when not in use so quite literally takes up no space, but is a kind gesture to your patrons.
However, I have been absolutely blow away by SOME public bathroom accommodations. The mall near me for example, had mammas in mind when they built the restrooms. Equipped with multiple changing tables, there's also a separate quiet nursing room complete with a rocking chair, low lighting, soft music, a locking door for privacy, and a private changing table. Perfect for nursing moms as babies need to breast feed often. The first time I used this set up, I was hooked. While I know not every business could have the same accommodations, I couldn't help but wish it could be like this everywhere.
You don't have to be a parent to appreciate this article, so please repost, share, comment, follow, and upvote. Help make the world a better place one restroom at a time for parents and baby! :-)
~Dive Diva