Diapers Q&A

Should Baby Diapers be Changed in Public?

My sister and brother-in-law have a 2 year old. They occasionally change his diapers in public places. One time, it was at the table in a restaurant. When I questioned them about this, they said they thought it was ok. They mentioned they've done this in shopping carts too. I think it's gross. If there is a private place to take the child, I think they should use it. I think changing in public should only be a last resort. Am I off base on this?

Public Comments

1. No you're not off base. Changing a 2 yr olds diaper at the table in a resturant is gross. One can at least take the kid to the restroom or even out to the car.It would be different. I'm curious what did they do with the soiled diaper, did they leave it as a tip?
2. I agree, it should only be a last resort. If you were at a restaurant I'm sure they had restrooms!!! Why not take your child there to change them in private, or just to be courteous of others.
3. As a parent I do whatever is convenient at the time. If I have children at the table that can not be left unattended I will do it there. I will not change "Gross" diapers in public, but I have gotten pretty fast at getting it done When you have your own children you will be better equipped to handle this situation. Don't worry so much about what other people think, if changing a diaper in public is the worst they do it is way down the list of concerns.
4. not in a restaurant, but maybe in a park or somethings ok.
5. You are right. It is unsanitary and actually against health code regulations to change a child on a table or even sit a child on a counter in a place that serves food. Outdoors is another story... no problem with park benches or whatever but you should ALWAYS use the bathroom for the sake of other patrons. Change the baby on the bathroom sink if there is no changing table.. or use a travel changing pad and do it on the floor- that is what it is there for.
6. There are places you can go to change the baby's diaper. They have changing tables in public restrooms. That's what there are there for. I don't think it's okay to change a baby's diaper at a restaurant table. That's gross! Don't they realize that someone else has to eat there when they are finished? I'm with you on this one. They are being a little ridiculous.
7. That is disgusting. People could get seriously ill from the bacteria that could be left behind on the restaurant table or in the shopping cart! Food and poop need to be kept separate! I don't think the issue is that it is "public" but more that it is just so unsanitary.
8. No, you are not wrong. For one thing, the germs from changing diapers can spred and get other people sick! Another thing, I know that it is sick to think about, but there are perverts out there! I always think about who is around before I change my daughter's diaper!! You never know who is "getting turned on" by what they are seeing.
9. you should change a diaper at a designated place like in a bathroom where there is a changing table.
10. That is gross and unsanitary. A lot of stomach flu-related viruses can be passed that way if an area isn't sterilized. I have rarely been to a restaurant that does not have an area to change a child. If the parent is the only adult there with several children, that person should take the kids into the restroom with them. As a parent, I would NEVER expose my child's poop to people eating.
11. IF there is not a changing area available in the restroom i use whatever is convenient to use. I don think Ive ever changed her at a table or shopping cart though. BUT if you don't have any other option available and your kids has a really bad diaper then i could understand.
12. I am not going to say that I have never changed my babies in public. When I did it was only when there were no changing facilities or bathroom around. Like at the park I might have taken them over to a secluded area and changed them on a blanket. But at the resteraunt there is no reason for that. There are bathrooms there and they should be used. Even if they do not have changing stations there are usually handicapped bathrooms that are spacious enough to lay out the changing pad and change the baby there. Changing in shopping carts is just not at all sanitary. Most supermarkets have bathrooms too. I agree with you about this. I think that is nasty too.
13. I agree with you. I have a 7 month old. I would be disgusted if I was in a restaraunt, looked over, and someone is changing their baby. In fact, I would probably ask to be moved. Who wants to smell that while they are eating and who wants to grocery shop knowing babies pee or poop may have touched the cart. If there isn't a place they should take the baby in the car and do it there or find a place. That's crazy! You're on base!!!
14. I agree. I have changed my daughters diaper in public. Not a poopy one. I think # 1 they shouldnt change a 2 year olds diaper in public. My daughter is 7 weeks and if there is absolutly no other place I'll do it on my lap. But not at a restaurant. people pay money to enjoy themselves and no one should change diapers there. It also very unsanitary. I used to work in a restaurant and they wipe down the tables but they dont do such a great job on the chairs and the benches. your not off base on this. Its Gross..
15. Changing in public should be a last resort. When I am in public, I change my babies in my car on a changing pad. No one else wants to see that, plus it's unsanitary.
16. That is definetly groce is that even legal, cause public nudity isn't. When I'm at a resturaunt eating dinner I don't want to see people diaper changing a babie at the next table (or smell it). They need to do that in the bathroom. Changing in public shouldn't even be used as a last resort. What if in public I just decided to change my underwear in front of a whole bunch of people, becuase there wasn't any privacy near by,is that excusable. Tell them to stop this immediatly.