How-to change a nappy without offending
05 May 2011 12:16 PM |
Posted by bh'sLeanne
If new mums are looking for a topic to discuss at Mother’s Group try this one for size – the dos and don’ts related to changing your baby’s nappy in public.
Have you ever been sat in a cafe when all of a sudden you smell something awful and turn to the table next to you and see a mum changing her baby’s dirty nappy?
What are your thoughts on this?
Generally the opinions split between parents and non-parents but there are a few guidelines you can follow to keep up the diaper decorum:
If it’s at all possible, try to change bub in a private location whether that’s in a bedroom, toilet or if you’re at the park – away from where other people are enjoying their picnic. Of course, if you’re in the comfort of your own home, you can change your bub’s nappy wherever you fancy – on the kitchen bench if that’s your preference!
Always put a change mat, blanket, muslin or towel under your baby while changing its nappy so that any mess is contained and you don’t end up with pooh on your friend’s carpet.
Put the dirty nappy and wipes in a bag. If you don’t have one ask whoever’s home you’re in for a carrier bag and which bin they’d prefer you put the nappy in (they might prefer you to take it to the garbage bin outside).
Always wash your hands!
Member Comments
(18)
Posted by:
Bianca sarah
(Australia)
I think in today's society, in most public places (and I say 'most' because there are still some places that need to catch up) but in most places, there are fantastic parents rooms in which Mums AND Dads can go and change bub's nappys. I would not feel comfortable changing my babie's nappy in public unless it was a COMPLETE emergancy. I mean, us adults do not go to the toilet in public, so why would we do this to our child? I love to get out and about with my baby so sometimes I have had to go and change my babies nappy in the car. And most times I am prepared in where if I am going out somewhere, I will go online and see if there are parents rooms.
Posted on:
May 05, 2011 (May 5, 2011 3:44pm)
Posted by:
Bianca sarah
(Australia)
And makes sure you take plently of wet ones/baby wipes and nappy bags and hand sanitiser :)
Posted on:
May 05, 2011 (May 5, 2011 3:45pm)
Posted by:
Kpesenhofer
(Australia)
I agree that most places have great family rooms and change facilities which are great to use. But I have nothing against changing a child in public .I agree with going somewhere a little more quite, and if your discrete changing a child in public is fine.
Posted on:
May 12, 2011 (May 12, 2011 3:59pm)
Posted by:
Chaneleve
()
People should just except that babies Poo and they need to be changed and no one should say anything!!!!!
Posted on:
May 13, 2011 (May 13, 2011 4:08pm)
Posted by:
Sparkla
()
Before I had kids, a friend visited and changed her 2 yr olds very stinky bum in my loungeroom. I've never forgotten how bad it smelt, and how long it lingered and vowed never to do that to a friend. If I need to change a poopie bum, I offer to go outside. I've often used the boot of my car to change bubs bum, using a blanket for under his body for comfort. Never leave bubs alone though, it takes a second of inattention, one roll and change your life forever...
Posted on:
July 19, 2011 (Jul 19, 2011 11:22pm)
Posted by:
Gorjus
(Australia)
@Sparkla, i know exactly what you mean about the stinky bum in the loungeroom. When i was in hosp with my son , my s.in.law changed her babies nappy on my bed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and that disgusted me. I went to a friend's house and her friend from the mother's group changed the nappy in the loungeroom ! Ewwwwwww ! Offensive.No excuse for this. Good advice about never leaving bubs unattended. Focus, focus, focus.U r a smart cookie . :)
Posted on:
July 23, 2011 (Jul 23, 2011 2:17pm)
Posted by:
Sappu
(Australia)
very nice article...
Posted on:
October 06, 2011 (Oct 6, 2011 6:47am)
Posted by:
Paoling725
(Australia)
great idea!
Posted on:
October 15, 2011 (Oct 15, 2011 9:32pm)
Posted by:
Dollhouse
(Australia)
I think I agree with Bianca sarah. There are usually parents' rooms around and I've been known to just go back to the car to change my bub's nappy. When I'm at a friend's house I will ask them where they would prefer I change the baby... but when push comes to shove, babies need changing and sometimes you just have to change them in the easiest place possible if the baby is really upset I guess.
Posted on:
October 19, 2011 (Oct 19, 2011 7:03pm)
Posted by:
Miss Yummy Mummy
(Australia)
very interesting article
Posted on:
October 25, 2011 (Oct 25, 2011 11:54am)
Posted by:
Rewalize
(Australia)
Great article!! I agree ... change baby somewhere PRIVATE! I too am a mum ... and I always make an effort to change bub away from others ... I don't think anyone should have to put up with the smell ESPECIALLY while their eating ... that's just GROSS! I also always carry scented nappy bags and if I'm at a friends place the rubbish in the outside bin ... NEVER in their home! If there isn't a suitable place where I am to change baby, I take it to the boot of my car. I don't like smelling dirty nappies even if it's my own child ... I can only imagine how everyone else feels! lol.
Posted on:
November 01, 2011 (Nov 1, 2011 12:42am)
Posted by:
Phaine
(Australia)
Once i saw a mother changing a baby in the middle of a shopping aisle! She didnt even move to one side her pram etc took up the whole aisle so no one else could get around her. Not that i would want to walk around that.
I totally understand that babys need changing but when you are in the middle of a shopping centre there are plenty of places to go without offending anyone. Ewww.
Posted on:
January 10, 2012 (Jan 10, 2012 8:19am)
Posted by:
Morrigan
(Australia)
It's just common sense. If I don't wee or poo all over the floor in front of everyone then my child won't either. If there's no parents room available anywhere then I'll go back to the car or park the pram somewhere private and quickly change baby's bum in the pram away from people. There's no need to display to the whole world that your baby's insides are functioning properly. Now if everyone would just be more tolerant towards breastfeeding in public, that would be awesome!
Posted on:
January 10, 2012 (Jan 10, 2012 11:35am)
Posted by:
Neilrawson
(Australia)
When my kids were babies, we did not have the luxury of baby change rooms. When out and about placing a waterproof mat under my baby in the stroller and changing the baby was the way to go. I always did it in our main street gardens were you can have a bit of privacy. Always had wipes and disposable nappy bags on hand to make the job easier.
###Sandra
Posted on:
January 10, 2012 (Jan 10, 2012 6:16pm)
Posted by:
Curlycee
(Australia)
Hmm I would have thought this was common sense...don't know that I've run into any 'inconsiderate nappy changers' yet.
Posted on:
January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 10:37pm)
Posted by:
AmberB
(Australia)
Great tips!
Posted on:
March 20, 2012 (Mar 20, 2012 11:33pm)
Posted by:
Kelly Kalimanis
(Australia)
What an interesting article. Very informative.
Posted on:
April 07, 2012 (Apr 7, 2012 10:50am)
Posted by:
Michellek54
(Australia)
great tips
Posted on:
May 18, 2012 (May 18, 2012 12:33pm)
Posted by: Bianca sarah (Australia)
I think in today's society, in most public places (and I say 'most' because there are still some places that need to catch up) but in most places, there are fantastic parents rooms in which Mums AND Dads can go and change bub's nappys. I would not feel comfortable changing my babie's nappy in public unless it was a COMPLETE emergancy. I mean, us adults do not go to the toilet in public, so why would we do this to our child? I love to get out and about with my baby so sometimes I have had to go and change my babies nappy in the car. And most times I am prepared in where if I am going out somewhere, I will go online and see if there are parents rooms.
Posted on: May 05, 2011 (May 5, 2011 3:44pm)