Diaper Changing

keb270

This morning on the radio, they were talking about changing diapers in public. The conversation started because one of the hosts saw a mother change a diaper on the table in a restaurant. The host was disgusted and had people call in with their sides of whether this was gross or not.

 What do you think? Ever see someone change a diaper that you consider inappropriate or unsanitary?

keb270

I'll answer my own question. My SIL changed the diaper of her daughter (one of the flower girls) in the aisle during our vows. Our whole ceremony was only 20 minutes and I know for a fact she changed her right before the ceremony. I know I need to be more tolerant of kids, but seriously? Let her sit in her diaper for another 5 minutes and then change it. Numerous guests told me that it was really gross and disruptive (I didn't notice cause I was busy getting married and all)

mamie329

Oh gross. Diaper changing in public should not happen. If I have to do my business in the bathroom, so should babies. Talk about unsanitary. 

cruella013

I think most public diaper changes are fine (I've seen most frequently in the back of a hatchback).  But, on a table is absolutely distusting.  Even with a change pad.  Would you change your child on your own dinner table?  What was wrong with the bench they were sitting in (and I'm assuming it was a #1 diaper, a #2 diaper shouldn't be changed anywhere near food or in most public places).  Then again, only a #2 diaper would provide that much of an emergency to change right away.

angelfire0412

I think diaper changing anywhere other than the restroom or the car is disgusting. I have 2 babies and would never dream of changing their diapers at a table in a restaurant--I mean, seriously. Who does that. I have literally walked an extra 1/4 mile to a restroom rather than change the diaper on a park bench because people were eating outside at a nearby restaurant and *may* have seen us.

?

keb270

angelfire0412:

I think diaper changing anywhere other than the restroom or the car is disgusting. I have 2 babies and would never dream of changing their diapers at a table in a restaurant--I mean, seriously. Who does that. I have literally walked an extra 1/4 mile to a restroom rather than change the diaper on a park bench because people were eating outside at a nearby restaurant and *may* have seen us.

 

keb270

angelfire0412:

I think diaper changing anywhere other than the restroom or the car is disgusting. I have 2 babies and would never dream of changing their diapers at a table in a restaurant--I mean, seriously. Who does that. I have literally walked an extra 1/4 mile to a restroom rather than change the diaper on a park bench because people were eating outside at a nearby restaurant and *may* have seen us.

 

You are the kind of mother i like!

flowerpower3

I agree...bathrooms or cars only.  Anywhere else is rude. 

I can't believe your SIL changed one in the aisle at your wedding!  Or the one on the restaurant table!  Wow. 

mamie329

keb, holy crap. I just read your story. I have no words. That is seriously wrong and rude. 

hawkilady

On the table is way over the line... that is just disgusting.  I can deal with outside, on a bed, back of a car, etc but not near food - that's sick.  DH's cousin changed her baby's diaper on her own lap the other day on my couch.  The bathroom was less than 50 ft. away -- really was that necessary?  She was sitting next to 3 other people and mid-conversation.  Her own husband told her she needed manners (I didnt say a word).  This was 10 minutes after she whipped out her boob to feed the child (which doesnt really bother me in most cases, but she does it in a restaurant - at least get a blanket).  Some people dont seem to have a concept of public vs. private.

keb270

Not sure why, but my computer doesn't like the quote feature. Grrr. Anyhow, I was trying to say that Angelfire, you are the kind of mom I like!

angelfire0412

keb270:

I'll answer my own question. My SIL changed the diaper of her daughter (one of the flower girls) in the aisle during our vows. Our whole ceremony was only 20 minutes and I know for a fact she changed her right before the ceremony. I know I need to be more tolerant of kids, but seriously? Let her sit in her diaper for another 5 minutes and then change it. Numerous guests told me that it was really gross and disruptive (I didn't notice cause I was busy getting married and all)

Oh. My. Gosh.

Who does that?!!!!!

So sorry you had to deal with that. Wow. Things that make you go hmmmm.?

keb270

Psst, Mamie. You know who this is. A certain photographer's wife (who happens to do all the weddings with him, leading me to think that she should have known better).

CTbride320

angelfire0412:

I think diaper changing anywhere other than the restroom or the car is disgusting. I have 2 babies and would never dream of changing their diapers at a table in a restaurant--I mean, seriously. Who does that. I have literally walked an extra 1/4 mile to a restroom rather than change the diaper on a park bench because people were eating outside at a nearby restaurant and *may* have seen us.

 

 

I totally agree. I think anywhere other than a bathroom, changing table, or *possibly* the car is absolutely disgusting. Keb, I can't believe she did that - that's gross and just rude!!

mamie329

Oh wow! Yes, she DEF. should have known better. Does she secretly hate you or something? (no offense, I just don't get why she would think this was okay.) 

cruella013

keb270:

I'll answer my own question. My SIL changed the diaper of her daughter (one of the flower girls) in the aisle during our vows. Our whole ceremony was only 20 minutes and I know for a fact she changed her right before the ceremony. I know I need to be more tolerant of kids, but seriously? Let her sit in her diaper for another 5 minutes and then change it. Numerous guests told me that it was really gross and disruptive (I didn't notice cause I was busy getting married and all)

I'd kick her ass...seriously.  This is the rudest thing I've ever heard.

keb270

mamie329:

Oh wow! Yes, she DEF. should have known better. Does she secretly hate you or something? (no offense, I just don't get why she would think this was okay.) 

No, we get along really well usually. I think she had trouble not being the center of attention at our wedding because she did some other really strange things that day that were really out of character for her (tried to pick a fight with my sister, yelled at my bridesmaid, got seriously mad a DH and made a huge, loud fuss when he didnt shove cake in my face like she wanted him too, etc, etc). I think she is used to being really important during weddings as a photographer and was looking for ways to show off a bit. Her husband was the best man and her daughers were flowergirls so I guess she felt left out?

RedZee

Whoa Keb! That's freakin' ridiculous! Sounds like she had a case of the older sister drama. While I'm not OK with diaper changing on tables of restaurants, I'm OK with semi-public. Like, if you're in the park, that's fine. Or even when my nephews are over and my sis changes them on the living room floor on a mat (when she does it on the couch i say something and then she reams me out). But during a wedding ceremony?!?! Give me a fuucking break. There is no way she thought this was appropriate. Good thing you didn't notice and it ultimately just reflects badly on her.

keb270

RedZee:

Whoa Keb! That's freakin' ridiculous! Sounds like she had a case of the older sister drama. While I'm not OK with diaper changing on tables of restaurants, I'm OK with semi-public. Like, if you're in the park, that's fine. Or even when my nephews are over and my sis changes them on the living room floor on a mat (when she does it on the couch i say something and then she reams me out). But during a wedding ceremony?!?! Give me a fuucking break. There is no way she thought this was appropriate. Good thing you didn't notice and it ultimately just reflects badly on her.

The sad thing is, she wasn't an older sister but the wife of Dh's brother. I don't really care anymore, but it does make me see her in a new light

Junebug060609

I'm with Zee.  Park is fine, livingroom floor wouldn't phase me (assuming they asked first)...but the wedding one and the restaurant one...inappropriate.  The restaurant one is just plain unsanitary, I mean people EAT off of that table.  The wedding one, R-U-D-E.

LarkNow

To answer OP: on the (cloth-covered) benches in the seating area waiting for customer service at IKEA.  This woman was literally feet from the bathroom (I could see them from where I was standing) and there weren't seats for everyone--some people were standing around, like me.  She pulls her toddler up next to her and changes the girl's diaper in front of everyone.  I guess I get not wanting to miss if your number is called, but her husband was with her, and her older son, she can tear herself away to the bathroom for five seconds.  Plus the seats were CLOTH.  They will absorb any stray droplet.  It totally grossed me out.  I'd never before thought of what might have been going on in a seat before I got there, but now I do.

stjoespirit04

Holy shiit.  I'd have tweaked out on that woman after I'd found that out.  Not only is that rude, but it's gross and inappropriate.

Seriously.  I don't pee in my kitchen sink, why would you think it's OK to change your kid's poopy diaper on the kitchen table?

It also brings up the whole breast feeding debate.  I'm cool with people breast feeding their kid - it's natural.  But if it's still public opinion to give the major side eye to girls who walk down the street with their t!ts hanging out, why is it OK to whip out a boob to feed your kid? I don't think it's a sexual thing at all - obviously feeding your kid is not sexual - but c'mon. If I walked around with one boob out, I'd expect people to look at me like I was ridiculous. I'd never whip one out to feed my kid and expect everyone around me to be totally cool with it. JMO, obviously, but... ugh.

Savy _05

I don't think diapers in public are ridiculous... i don't care as long as they keep it away from food/kitchens/tables etc, but when it's cars, beds, benches, whatever... I don't mind... I also think many women need to learn to be a bit more conservative with flopping their boobs out to breastfeed... I don't mind seeing them, but I think it is very inappropriate for young kids (especially 6-12yr old boy range) to see a random womens boobs... Then they start asking about it all... and look at it in a way completely different than intended...

kyl33t

That is sick. These mothers try to make excuses for it (it's natural, it's just a baby, etc) but the fact is, it's still POOP! And even if you were changing a diaper for #1, what if the kid wasn't finished and decides to make a fountain all over? I don't get what's so hard about going to the bathroom. I mean, when YOU gotta go, you go to the bathroom right?

 And I am so over self-righteous breastfeeding mothers I could barf. We get it, it's natural and happy and super. Still doesn't mean I want to see your saggy ass tit when I'm out eating.

angelfire0412

I also breastfed both of my babies for almost a year each and I NEVER, EVER, EVER did so in public! NEVER. The thought of that just grosses me out, you never know what kind of pervs are out there and will follow you to your car etc. That plus the fact that no one wants to see my saggy a$$ t!ts. I would never subject the general public to that I swear! LOL!

mamie329

kyl and savy - did you two happen to catch the 3 or 4 page post on P&E yesterday about public breastfeeding? If not, it's worth a look.  

stjoespirit04

OMG Mamie, that entire post made me want to scoop out my eyeballs with a grapefruit spoon. That feather chick? OMG reading comprehension FAIL.

Savy _05

im trying to find it... i must be looking over it... You have me intrigued!