Public Restroom Diaper Changing W/o Counter

My husband and I go good at the tag team effort of diaper changing. One would hold her standing up and the other would take off the diaper, wipe, and rediaper with her standing or in midair....did that on airplanes and anywhere there wasn't a diaper changer.

I used to go out to my car and change the diaper in the backseat. I've seen people change their babies diaper in their trunk too. I think it's a lot safer than a public restroom's floor. :)

Use the stroller or car. If there are benches, I would use that too. If anyone makes a comment just let them know this is not a family friendly establishment and you refuse to change a baby on the bathroom floor. I have even changed my daughter in her infant seat (not a poo diaper!) Sometimes it's just easier anyway at that age to change them where they are than to find a bathroom and hope for a changing table.

I would go back to the car. That is at the very least cleaner than a public bathroom which could be carrying every germ under the sun. Or find a restaurant or store with one. For a few extra minutes looking for a sanitary area to change the diaper, the child will be fine left in a dirty diaper. But rest asure she won't catch anything.

In the car or the stroller is a great option. But usually I would just mosey into a stall, close the door & change the wee one on my lap (if it was just a wet diaper). You do get more creative the longer you're dealing with a child in dipes. The best "I rock!" moment was when I changed my very long, skinny 15-mth old son while "cornered" in a window seat next to someone very large who was sleeping. Changed his entire outfit because he had pee'd out as well as the diaper. I know a lot of mom's who refuse to use the changing tables in public places because of germs & such (I'm not one of those mom's). So, it can be done just about anywhere...

We always used our car when there was no diaper changing area in the restroom (plus it's cleaner). If you have a truck or SUV, then it's easiest.. you just use the back area, but even in a smaller car, you can use the seats if you recline them back.

I change my little guy in the car on one of those travel diaper changing pads. They have a zipper compartment to store wipes, diapers, purell, creme, etc. If the restroom has a sitting area you could change the baby on the chair with the diaper changing pad. You could also tell her to mention the issue to the managers so they are aware of the issue. They may add a changing station. When she is standing well, around 10 to 12 months, just change her standing up. Have her hold on to you or put her hands on a wall for balance. This is easier to do with wet diapers but it is very doable with BM's once you get good at it. She should practice at home before-hand so she and her baby gets used to the new style.

Hope this was helpful!

I had a "new moms class" with a pediatric nurse through El Camino Hospital in Mtn View. Her great trick was to always carry a "chuck" (the disposable, rectangular incontinence mats) in the diaper bag. I always had one handy to put under the baby, both for the baby's protection and to protect whatever surface baby was on. I would reuse it many times if I weren't putting it down somewhere dirty like a bathroom floor.

They sell these at drug stores in the same section as the "Depends" and all that stuff.

Good luck!
J. Atterholt

A vinyl mat, (especially those made w/ storage for wipes and a couple of diapers) and a good old fashioned floor beat those changing tables any day. The little one can't roll onto the floor and go boom if he's already there :P
I got my mat at babies-r-us

I have pulled two chairs into the bathroom and put them next to each other to create a flat surface. I usually have my husband or friend/mom go into the bathroom with me to "spot" my baby while I am changing her. Also, you can go on line and they sell a "portable changing table" as well, but it's kind of a hassle to lug the thing around. My friend who has longer legs changes her 7 month old on her lap.

I also try to change my baby's diaper in the back of my car (I have an SUV and can lay her flat in the cargo area on a blanket and changing pad). I do this prior to going into the restaurant.

Hope that helps!

I ran into this problem often as changing counters weren't available when my now 29 yo son was an infant. I would go back out to my car and use the car seat as a changing table. Or if that wasn't an option, i.e. on airplanes, I used my lap, often sitting in a toilet stall. This isn't too easy with a squirmy child but does get the job done. Good luck and remind your daughter that this won't last forever.

I used my car in the trunk, the front seat. It sounds silly but it works. If they in area where its nice outside try the grass by the parking lot. People might look at you funny but you now what who cares. Also bring to the attention to the manger, see what they say why they havent installed one. Also sometimes I take her portable changing pad into the handicap stall put her on the floor. Good luck!! I been there lots times when they are bigger than small,lol.

I also have an 8-month old daughter and I understand completely. It was a couple of months ago when my husband and I went to a restaurant with no diaper changing table. Fortunately, we were leaving the restaurant by the time we had to change our baby. We just did the best thing to change her diaper. We just changed her in the car. It's uncomfortable but it did it's job. The other thing that we did also is we changed her in her stroller. We just lied her down in the stroller, took the cup holder in the front out and changed her. I hope this helps.

In the restroom stall, place changing bag within reach,lay blanket on lap, lay baby on blanket, and change diaper quickly.

honestly & may sound crazy but change him/her in your lap (if its pee). If your in a booth its even better. People have to drop the pride somewhere along the line when you have kids being we're all human and seem to have the same stuff under those clothes.Otherwise bring an xtra blankie to lay on the flow outside of a stall but not in others way, just wrap it in a plastic bag so it can be washed later on, hey at least the kid wont be 'technically' laying on the floor!Otherwise a counter works, the car, the stroller;unfortunately us mom's become MC'GIVER!!!

Hope this helps....

I hate using the public restrooms- so I was always change my daughter in the car. I keep a full supply of what I need in side pocket next to the backseat. That way, I have a changing pad, wipes and plastic bags to throw the diaper away. At least I feel like it's cleaner than the bathrooms..it may be a little bit of a walk, but it's worth it to me.

We did not use the public restrooms, we changed the twins in the car. Front or back seat. It is much cleaner than in the public restrooms.

We use the trunk or seats in our car 99% of the time. I know it sounds weird, but we were always grossed out be the public places, so we would just use our car. Hope that helps. :)

The best thing we figured to do in this case is to go to our car and change the baby there.

P.

Dear H.,
You're blissful! That's so sweet. I am not a granmother yet, which is a very good thing. But on one hand, I can't wait.
As far as restaurants are concerned, if there is no changing table, the only option is to take the baby out to the car and change the diaper there. Then go back in. One parent can stay with the table while the other one changes. Depending on how big the child is, if it's just a pee pee diaper, in the bathroom, you can put your arm around the child's middle, just up under their armpits, facing away from you, and remove/change a diaper with one free hand. Believe me, I've done it. Even bigger kids can be changed standing up if you have to.
Your daughter will get creative between now and potty training.

Best wishes!

I always went to my car if it was with us and kept an extra diaper changing pad in the trunk with supplies. I think I was extra aware of how people react to other peoples diapers and just wanted to keep it private. I also did not trust those changers to be maintenanced for sanitary reasons and loose screws and did not putting my baby in the hands of strangers maintenance mode. When I did use one in a nicer place, I still wiped it down with wipes and a towel and held on tight just in case. Going to an area where she can lay baby safely down outside with a portable rollable diaper changing pad is another idea. I also bougth boxes of blue bags from Babysrus for the used diaper. They had a pleasant scent and did not leave a wastebasket unbearable once they were tied.

Enjoy your sweet grandbaby!

We have traveled MANY miles with our little guy without the help of changing stations also, and we ended up changing him in the back of the car, or sometimes reclining the stroller back and doing it there. I can remember one time in the middle of "nowhere" Nevada having to put a blanket on the lawn of a McDonalds and changing him there, actually it's a lot cleaner! Good luck...

Most strollers can fully recline. I just put ours in the recline position, strap my little guy in there and presto, chango! Couldn't be easier. You can do it in the restroom or there by the table or outside. Most people don't even realize what you are doing because you can put the sun shade down for a little privacy. Good luck.

We would use our stroller or go back to the car.

The only way to do it in the stroller is to remove the car seat and then recline the seat all the way down and somehow change him that way.

In the car, we lucked out with our passenger seat being able to lay flat like a table and so we used to do it all the time there.

If it's too hard to go back to the car to make the change, I've done it in the stroller. Take the tray off of the front and lean the seat back as far as it will go. Put down paper towels, or your own changing pad. Not easy on the back, but better than some other options in a public restroom!

The trunk of the car is very flat and a decent surface to change a baby. The seat is also good, but you get more "flat" and space in the trunk. As my son got bigger, the front seat, fully reclined was a good option. I have also used the stoller fully reclined. It is a shame this day and age that having a flat surface or a changing station in every bathroom (men and women) isn't standard. I didn't ever realize it myself until I started having babies.

I have been out to eat and have run into this a few times. I changed my son in an empty booth towards the back of the restaurant. I also talked to the management about the lack of accomodations.

In that case the only thing to do really is to make the trip out to the car and change the baby in the car. It's more of a hassle but at the same time it is more sanitary then a public restroom. The only other option would be if they have a stroller with them to use it.

I didn't get a chance to read your 60! responses, but I wanted to add something. If there is a changing table and they don't have the changing pad or something to put her one, I use two toilet seat covers to cover the changing table, I thought it was a good idea =o)

The car works pretty well as a place to change diapers. I've also used the table if I'm desperate. In fact, I was out with my mom and aunt and they've changed their kids (me, my brother, and cousins) on the table. If they did it, why can't we (as long as we're finished eating, of course)?

In one restaurant, I changed my baby on a couple of chairs that the waiters provided. They were apologetic that they didn't have a changing table. It was really nice of them to provide the chairs so my friend and I could change our babies' diapers!

Hi H.! I Know how you feel. I have a 6 month old and finding a diaper changing station can be virtually impossible! I've gone out and changed him in the car, but my husband is a WHIZ at changing him at the booth, super fast and easy! I pass him what he needs and he does it! That has worked well for us in the past as well. Also, if you have a stroller that lays down you can use that too, if it's with you! Good luck!

In restaurants without changing stations, and there are MANY of them, just have her take the baby out to the car and change her (on the backseat, or on the front seat reclined) - it is also quite possible to change them in their strollers when reclined, or even on a bench outside the restaurant where they put people waiting for seats.
Reassure her that there are many times when you have to change the kiddo out in the car, so get used to it now!

Hi H.. My husband and I run into the same problem!! Very disappointing considering how many infants are out there!
We found the easiest way to change a diaper was in the babies stroller. We have a reclining stroller and that to us was the simplest thing! The baby is in the stroller normally anyway and we just roll the thing into the bathroom and there you go!Good luck..p.s. I wish there were also more restaurants (more than just fast food places)and retail places that had play structures to keep toddlers busy while parents ate and shopped.

The car works great, and is a lot cleaner than any bathroom. Also, if you have a stroller, use that. Just recline it all the way. In a pinch I have taken a sweatshirt, laid it on the ground (away from people)and changed them on that. I have never changed any of my girls in a public bathroom.

I used to change my kids in the stroller sometimes, a little tricky but it worked, over time it was a sinch. I also used changing rooms instead whenever possible, or the car if it was close. When desperate my lap just cover yourself well! Good luck!

work at home mom, happily married, with two amazing kids ages 9- a girl and 3- a boy.

If there isn't a changing table I take my kids out to the car to change them. It's a bit of a pain, but it's the only option I've found. I would also make a complaint to the manager, there should be a place to change the baby in the place.

*If not too loud of a restaraunt & they're in a booth at a restaraunt & they know its just the #1 I have used the bench that we're sitting on.
*Depending on the looks of the restroom I have used the countertop in the restroom.
*Last but definitly not least your vehicle; you know that it is MUCH cleaner than a public restroom floor.
*I do carry a vimyl diaper pad in my bag & still at 15 mnths of age I also carry a receiving blanket, thin enough to fit in the diaper bag but big eneough to cover a larger area.
*I cant beleive any one would suggest a public restroom floor.
KISS (keep it simple silly)

Hi H..
I would go to the car and change the baby there or if I have my stroller, I would change the baby in the stroller.

out to the car is what we do, even if it's cramped, it's cleaner then a public restroom floor.

I'd say change her on the floor but bring a fairly large mat so there's no danger of her touching the floor. When my daughter and I are traveling, I bring a large, light mat and put it down anywhere to change her. This also works great in airports--I can change her anywhere, including in the waiting area before we go on the plane. If you're concerned about the hardness of the floor, bring something soft to put under her head or a second mat. Good luck!

Frequent traveler

We've had the same problem. If there are chairs in the hallway leading to the bathrooms, they can use those (put two together like a bench). We've also used the car. An 8 month-old can often lie in a bucket seat with her legs up. As she gets older, you can use the backseat. We've even used the trunk in desperation because we now have two carseats in the back seat. It seemed really weird, but we got our daughter's diaper changed.

I have two kids (with one more on the way). One is 3 1/2 yrs old (who is out of diapers) and the other is 20 months (who is still in diapers). I change them where ever I possibly can. If it's a nice resturant or there are a lot of people around, my husband and I will take them to the car and do it there. Or there have been times where we brought a stroller and just change them in that.

Hi Granny,

I too like all these other women have been creative. I found that the trunk believe it or not is a wonderful place to change a diaper. As for restaurants, it depends on where I'm at. I would use the bench of the restaurant if it is like a fast food place and a quick change. The larger the baby gets the more they move and sometimes the restaurant is not the best place. However, if you are at a place that you can not get to your car, then I say if anyone has a problem with where you change your child then they should take it up with management to have the appropriate necessities for a woman or man to change a child set up in the restroom!!! I haven't yet been able to use that one. ;) I would be more then happy to use it.

Best of luck!

M. P.

Mother of 2 boys.

I am the mother of multiples, triplets in fact and I learned to change diapers everywhere and quickly too. Changing pads are too small in my opinion so a larger baby blanket would be better for floors, counters, tables etc.... most strollers can be put in a semi lay down position and the diaper can quickly be changed there. The car is also always an option. Being quick while changing a baby will help imensly. I also would change my babies standing up. Practice at home and it will help alot out in public.

I am on the go a lot and can not stand the public restroom changing tables. I only tried to use one one time. I am a car changer. I have a nice pad that I keep in the car, and just change her on a seat. - That way she is more comfortable in a familiar place and I am more comfortable not having her precious little naked butt exposed to so many germs.

I have only two things to add to what others have said. First, in the absence of a changing table, I would NOT change the baby in the bathroom of the restaurant. There is just too much chance of some sort of contamination there. The car, stroller, and outside bench... anything of that sort would be preferable. I can even change a baby as young as that on my lap.
Second, when you encounter the problem of no changing station in a restaurant, do be sure to mention it to the manager. If they get enough complaints, they'll realize a changing station is a good investment for their business, as it's something that will encourage parents to eat there. By the way, send your husband to the men's room and see if there is a changing station there as well. We tend to think of the women's restroom as the place for a changing station, but there are plenty of men who bring their children to restaurants without mom along. They need to be able to change the child too.

When my daughter was a baby I use to carry a diaper bag that had a pad to lay the baby on. many times I would change her in the back seat of the car. it was clean and private.

I always kept a good sized changing pad in the diaper bag. Then I would go into the handicap stall, lay the changing pad down on the ground and changed my boy right there on the floor. It can be yucky but you can always sanitize the changing pad, I would also have something soft to put under my boys head. Also they do make throw away changing pads (I think Huggies makes them). I wouldn't use these normally because they are some what wasteful but they can be very helpful for things like restrooms.

When there is no place in the restroom to change my son I've had to do one of two things:
1. Change him in his stroller. I lay it all the way back as if he were sleeping and change him there.
2. Change him in the car. I have a van so it's a little easier for me as I can make a flat surface by folding one of the seats down into the floor. But if you have a car, that would work too. Open the back door and do it on the back seat.

Just make sure you lay something underneath them just in case they wiggle and make a mess. You certainly wouldn't want the mess all over the back of your car or in the stroller. I'm finding that more and more places are putting in the diaper changing stations. Believe it or not, a couple places even had them in the MEN'S restroom!! I was amazed.
Good Luck.

If you have a changing pad, you can use the sink counter. But if that is not an option, what I have done is go into the bathroom stall and and sit on the toilet and put my daughter in my lap and change her diaper that way. It's the same way I do it if we are in the car.

Hope that helps...

Well if there isn't a car to go to we look for an outdoor place like a park and just do it away from other people. I have also done it in the stroller, but you want to make sure you have some sort of pad to slip under the bum. It is uncomfortable but it does the job.

It can be challenging. If need be, I always rely on the back seat of my car or the back storage in my husband's SUV. Works just fine and sometimes even better!

I remember getting soo frustrated once that I changed my son right there on top of the dining table in front of everyone! (It was only Taco Bell)

I guess I wouldn't reccomend that though :)

Another time, at the movie theater, The bathroom floor wasn't an option (not that it ever really is) and I laid him down on the carpet in the middle of the walkway into the movies and changed him while people waited.

I have a great stroller where the seat lays back, so I use it as a changing table whenever I can.

In the car works well, you can also sit on the toilet and change your baby in your lap (it's not easy but it can be done, I recommend the handicap stall for this maneuver.) Also if your stroller reclines that can work too.

H.,

Have her put the bathroom toilet seat down, have her sit down and place the changing pad on her lap---then place the baby on her lap, cradle the baby with one hand and use the other hand to put the diaper under and change her that way. Be sure to tell her to have the wipes already out and diaper in hand before sitting down.

Also if she has a reclining stroller, bring it to the bathroom and change the baby there. You can also do it in the carseat if you can't find anywhere else to change the baby.

Good luck!

M.

When my boys were babies and I found myself in that situation, I'd usually go to my car. I have an SUV with a nice flat space in the back, but a trunk works too, you just have to bend over more. A back-seat can work too, but it's a bit harder.

It's just aweful when there is no changing table. I always suggest to management to please get one. I prefer to go out to our car and change our baby outside, rather than do it on a gross restroom floor. If your daughter has a station wagon or SUV, she can just open the back and change the baby in the car. If she has a regular car, like us, change him on the hood of the car (as long as it's not hot from the engine) or on the trunk with a changing pad on top. Baby likes to look at the clouds, moon and stars or street lights. Bring ziploc bags for disposing of dirty diapers and hand wipes. It may be a bit indiscreet, but until the world becomes entirely family-friendly, what are ya gonna do? If she doesn't have a car, just find a bench or a nice grassy area if possible.
Best Wishes!

My husband and I have run into the same problem - not only at restaurants, but in public parking lots too!! What we have done (and this might become harder now that fall and winter is here - rain) is take our daughter out to the car and change her on the tailgate of my husband's truck or the back of my Jeep (trunk part). We usually lay a blanket out, then put her changing mat down. One of us will take care of her, while the other will "block" in case of drafts, etc... I've even done this by myself. My trunk isn't always clean, but it's better than a public restroom floor. I hope this helps!!

D.

FYI - If you're in Lowe's (Union City store in particular) and need to change your baby, put a blanket on your sweetie. The changing station is DIRECTLY UNDER the A/C vent. Bad planning on their part!!

I'd also recommend first taking the baby out to the car! Second to that, though, I was in the habit of carrying a couple receiving blankets for changes on the floor (not the bathroom floor, though). Soon your grandbaby will be standing, and it is possible to change her that way- just harder to wipe! You can also have one parent be the lap while the other changes the squirmy baby. The blanket also works to keep grown-up clothes neat.

Anyone who recommends using their stroller or car doesn't have a baby who's peed all over the place as soon as the diaper is opened. I changed DS2 at the park in his stroller one time and that was our last. I put a waterproof changing pad below him which just ran the pee onto his clothes and the padding of the stroller faster... the pee that wasn't dripping from the sunshade that is... eewww! From then on I got very good at changing him on my lap facing away from me (and others). I've even changed him while sitting on a swing so MaMa sitting on a public toilet fully clothed works well too. It takes a little practice so she should do it a few times at home to get the hang of arranging the diaper on her legs properly while lifting the baby with the other arm. I have also asked restaurants for a tablecloth or a few cloth napkins or dish towels to change DS1 on the sink counter if there's room. Every restaurant has linen service of some kind so they shouldn't balk at the request.

Your lap or the car...

this is a tough one b/c a lot of bathrooms do not have changing tables, I like to use the back of my wagon and use the changing pad, if they have a sedan try using the front seat, not ideal but better than the bathroom floor

I made the waitress put a table next to the bathroom & I changed my son on it. I put a changing pad over a receiving blanket and told her to tell her boss to get a changing station for the bathroom. It was a swanky Italian restraunt in North Beach - they can afford a $200 plastic station.
Also - if the restroom had counter space - I'd dry it off with a gazillion paper towels and then put a blanket and changing pad down - it's handy to be near the sink. I carried receiving blankets with us everywhere because they double as towels,bibs, hanky etc. way after the baby is too big to use them as a blanket. We used the trunk a lot - but if you are out for a walk & parked 10 blocks away, it's not always practical!
I still complain in a restaurant if I see some poor mom struggling with a diaper change commando style. IF THEY HAVE A @#%*ING KIDS MENU THEY SHOULD PROVIDE A CHANGING STATION!!!!!duh!
Let's get congress to pass a law!
;)

the only things I can suggest.... the car or a skip hop portable diaper bag that has an oversized changing pad that covers baby in a much better way than the little pad in most diaper bags... along with that I would put paper towels around to just kind of ease my mind with the grossness and put something soft under my daughter's head when a hard restroom floor was the only feasable option... good luck enjoy grandmotherhood

I always just use my stroller, I have a Graco and I just lie the back all the way flat, lie the changing pad down and change my 9 month old right there. The changing stations in restrooms gross me out, so I do this even if there is one! If you don't have my stroller, I do it in the car...hope that helps. =-)

If the car isn't too far away we would just go back to the car.

Hi H.,
I so feel the pain of changing a baby in public areas. When my first son was born I would always change him on my lap in a bathroom stall. Even when there was a public changing station. I didn't want my child touching anything in a pubic restroom let alone a changing table where everyone has had their baby on it sick, vomit and.....all of it. I usually took him in a stroller and I would wheel him in the handicap stall lay the seat down and change him in there. When he was still in his infant carseat I got really good at changing him in there. At times I have changed him in a dressing room with a changing mat under him. Those places work great if your in a store. But as he got older it got harder as he went to pull ups and I now have to take off his shoes and pants to change him. I now have a 4 month old and i get to juggle both of them. And like clock workd they both want to be changed at the same time. UGH. the best advice is take a stroller that has a reclinging seat or change baby in the car. I always check both kids before I leave the car.

Good luck.

SAHM, 39 to 2 beaituful boys, 2.5yo and 4 month old who is full of smiles. Love being outside and a good glass of wine. Husband who travels for work every week. I feel like a single mom alot.

I would never put my child on the floor of a public bathroom. I have gone out to my car,or a friend's car, several times when there is nowhere to change my son. I have also managed to use my lap (which becomes quite difficult when the kid is tall) in a pinch. The standing diaper change
is another option, if the child can stand. Good luck. There are ways. Kids are really flexible.

This was a problem a lot for me too. I bought a small bag that has a strap that goes around the wrist. I keep just a small pkg of wipes and a diaper in it for these situations. I actually close the toilet seat and change my son on my lap. It can be tight abd somewhat uncomfortable but it's the only thing I could come up with other than going back out to the car to change him. Hope she can find something that works for her.....

If there is not a counter, the only choice really is to go to the car and change the baby. I'm sure I've used a changing pad in the past on the floor as well as a bench in a restroom waiting area.

In these situations, I have always resorted to changing my baby out in the car. It is too bad that these restaurants don't take this problem into consideration...