TuscMoms.com

I just returned from flying with my son and I need to vent about the public changing tables we encountered in our travels.
I've never seen this before but now they are putting paper towel dispensers right on the wall above the changing table. Within baby's reach.
This is a bad idea.
As Jack was getting changed, he delighted in pulling all the paper out, one by one, and flinging them on the floor. I had my hands full and couldn't stop him so I was forced to let him waste paper. And cursing the dispenser and wondering why it was there.
This is paper like adults use to wipe their hands -- not wipes. If a mom is changing her baby, she certainly has wipes on hand, right? So why the paper towels? Isn't it more likely that a baby will have a field day with that thing and waste a few trees than a mom will need a dry paper towel as she's changing her baby?
OR, for those moms who say the paper towels could be helpful -- fine. But why put them right where baby is? Literally it is placed an inch above where the baby is. Put it off to the side where only mama can reach.
OK. I'm done. Sorry. As you can tell, I spent my day picking up wasted paper towels off public bathroom floors. Grrr.

I guess if you forgot your wipes you could 'scrape' off the poop. OUCH. LOL
Obviously, moms don't design these things.

My LO is scared to death of getting on these things. I litterally have to hold him down. You can tell he is terrified and not just not liking it.

That sounds like a mess, but I have a complaint of my own to add.
Why don't more places have changing tables in men's bathroom, in this day & age? My husband changes just as many as I do, and he's actually insulted when there's no changing tables available to him.
We've seen a few, and we love the "family" bathrooms. But why aren't there more?

You are lucky DistractedMom. My DH refuses to change a diaper when we are out. He says mens bathrooms are nasty. I know he just doesn't really like changing diapers, and the thought of having to balance our LO on the table and change his diaper is overwhelming to him. He is a bit of a germ-a-phob. He would have to sanitize the table completly before he could lay our LO on it. I am all for cleanliness, but at a certain point, he is going to get dirtier in out backyard than he will on the changing table in a public restroom. BTW, mine LO is scared of the changing table too. He was fine with the one at home, he just doesn't like to one hanging on the wall.

I have a gripe too...

It annoys me when mothers line the changing table with paper towels to protect their baby and then leave them there, making the next person that uses it have to throw them away for them! That's just rude!

My husband doesn't mind changing diapers, but he will not carry the diaper bag out in public. We have a solid black one...not girly or purse-like looking at all. If I ever ask him to hold it for a minute for me, he holds onto the strap and holds it out away from his body like it's infected with something. I keep telling him it would be easier for him to just put the strap over his shoulder.

My son actually seems to like the public changing table. He's really curious and seems to like anything new different. I just wish he'd stop running his hands all over the changing table. I'm sure those things are never cleaned.

SarahMay, we have a diaper bag backpack that we got when our first was born. It's great - black and looks like a regular backpack but with the convenience extras of a diaper bag. The kids are out of diapers now, but we took out the changing pad and my husband still carries it whenever he takes the kids somewhere. I think we got it from Land's End. Here is a link to a bunch of daddy bags.
http://www.diaperbags.com/daddy-diaper-bags/5354+5358.cfm

I used to hate two things . . (1) when the changing table was in the handicap stall and you had to wait forever just to change a diaper because someone was camped in there doing God knows what and (2) when the men's room didn't have squat so hubby would come back to the table and shrug so you had to go and change the diaper anyway!!

Oooooh, I agree!
In the airport last week we waited FOREVER a couple of times for someone to come out of the handicapped stall. But not because the changing table was in there. Because I couldn't fit Jack and his stroller into another stall with me.

At one point, I did an about face and went to find another bathroom, thinking it would be much quicker. (And the people who come out are never handicapped or mothers!)

I admit, I used to use those stalls too because they are big and roomy (esp. with bulky luggage). Now I don't because I realize what a hassle it can be for moms to have no where else to go and be late for a plane.

Off the subject of changing tables a little bit, don't you hate having to use the restroom yourself in a store when you LO is with you and noone else. I always have to take the buggy in with me and leave him sitting in it, b/c I know my LO will be trying to crawl all over the nasty floor, and that just weirds me out thinking about it. I always have to be sure to go to the restroom when I first get to the store so the buggy is empty, so noone thinks I am trying to steal something. I still always get funny looks. It was so much easier when Ronald was in his carseat. Then I just carried his seat in with me. Now I am afraid of him trying to crawl underneath the partition into the next stall (what if someone is in there that would be so embarassing). Or peep under just curious about what is there. I will be happy when he is few months older and can refrain somewhat or at least understand not to crawl around or peep under.

I absolulety hate public changing tables too. I have used on that had the towel dispenser above it and you are right, it was just something for her to make a mess with and me to have to clean up.
My changing table gripes are:
1. The disposable changing pads are always empty, so I have to carry about a changing pad.
2. 90% of the time they are located in the 1 handicap stall and I have to wait or they are located right in front of the door so you get bumped into by each person entering the bathroom
3. The safety strap is always broken.

And about the using the bathroom while you are out shopping with your baby alone. That is the worst. Just last week I was at The University Mall and I went to use the bathroom and stood there for 10 mintues waiting on the handicap stall while all other stalls were available because that was the only stall my stroller could go in. I finally gave up and went to another store. I know stores are limited on space but when alot of thier shoppers are Mom's they should have better accomadations.