Taking Too Long in the Bathroom Stall?

I can do a diaper changed standing up. Something I perfected on the airplane. My question is, if there was no changing table out there, where the hell did she expect you to change her? On the floor?

If that lady would have said that to me, I would have said (in my best mommy voice) "Well, maybe we shouldn't wait so long before we go potty hmmmm?"

yes I would change the child outside of the stall if there's a line.
If the child dosen't need to go I don't see the problem with taking her outside the stall and changing her.

I never changed DD in the bathroom stall, ever. Ew, ick, blech!! I would rather go to the car, or use the stroller, or I would've just done it on a towel on the sand, or on a bench. I don't think it's very sanitary or considerate to hold it up if you're not actually using the toilet, especially when there are many other easier, more healthy options. I always had a changing pad type of thing with me, so we could do changes anywhere if needed.

Um... HELLO! When a mom with kids goes into a stall it's ALMOST going to take as long as an elderly person.

She should be grateful your daughter isn't 3... And both of you going (her likely then needing to poo, OR using both stalls.

"No! I can't pee in the sink while changing her diaper, because its too tall off the ground, nor insert this tampon while she's pulling up her clothes. Nor get the preparation H on right. Thanks for the offer, though!"

The above is actually something I smilingly shouted out 8 years ago (but used the pronouns "he"/"his"), when someone was being cranky. Ditto, standing diaper change and mama peeing multitask. I wasn't on my period, and didn't have hemorrhoid... But, since she was trying to shame me, I decided to be shameless and give her something to think about.

I have this filter problem, you see... IRL words just fall out of my mouth while I'm grinning happily away.

That rude woman was old enough to know that she needed to wear a diaper for the day or to go before it got to be an emergency. Just because someone needs to use the toilet, doesn't make it your emergency. I have complete respect for those who earn it---but this person's reaction is just plain rude. What makes her more special than anyone else? I have changed my kids in all different locations.But no, I am not going to change my child outside the stall. Just because kids are kids, doesn't mean they don't deserve a little privacy just like everyone else. I don't want my kid on display for all to see when they are getting cleaned up.---Thats just me. I do try to use the stall quickly and get out of the bathroom asap so it isn't a long time for anyone. You didn't do anything wrong.

What grown woman actually says "I'm about to have an accident"??? That's really strange, to me. You had just as much right to be in that stall as anyone else. I can't believe someone would say something like that.

But to answer your question, Yes, I probably would find a corner in the bathroom (if possible) to change my kid if there was a line. But that's me. I always want to make things easier for others. It used to irritate me when I'd go into a bathroom with a 2 year old and a newborn and find someone in the handicap stall (when she was obviously capable of using another stall and there were several other stalls available). I'd have to stand and wait because really, there was no way to fit all three of us and a stroller in a normal stall.

My kids are older now, so I don't have to worry about any of that anymore. But I'm still trying to always be polite. Today for example, I went into a bathroom in a restaurant. There were 3 stalls, one of which was handicapped. NO toilet paper anywhere but in the big stall, but no other people in there either. So I went into the handicap stall and honestly, my first thought was "if someone comes in here I'm going to feel bad, and I'll have to explain why I'm in here and not one of the other stalls." Sometimes I wonder if there is something wrong with me!!

Anyway, I don't think you did anything rude. That woman has no filter.

Seems like you had just as much right to be in the stall as she did. She should wait her turn like everyone else.

yes, i'd do it outside the stall.
khairete
S. (antsy woman)

You know, I changed my son everywhere. I don't think I ever changed him in a bathroom, though. SO many other places are easier. I would have just thrown a towel on the sand, to be honest. If someone is about to go in there pants, yes I would have not changed her in the stall. There are a multitude of places you can change your baby. The lady can only pee in the pot.

Yes.

The bathroom is no cleaner outside the stall than inside and that is my only concern when I would change my child.

After reading your what happened, I don't see your parenting as being attacked, people just said the floors of public bathrooms are gross.

I do think it is kind of odd that you posted this question twice mind you.

It takes ONE minute to change a diaper (MAYBE 2), and you're using the toilet too? I'd tell the lady in question to wear a damn diaper. The nerve! I'm seriously a very easy going person most of the time, but stay out of my way while I'm dealing with my little one! But I would hurry up---not "just" because there's a line, but because I'm kinda scared of public bathrooms (it's the walls! i know they're gonna close in!); just my own phobia...but sometimes, it needs to be used.

I would, but I do anyway because I don't like all the icky water that splashes out when the toilet flushes and I figure that there is less of that away from the stalls on the floor. I always bring a special pad or blanket that goes straight into the wash when we are done for the day if it has been on the floor. But, I would use the bathroom if I had to go too. Its tricky with a baby and you both having to go. I think she should have waited a minute; it just doesn't take that long, unless she was pregnant, then all's fair in love and the line to the toilet!

Yes, this happened to my husband and I while traveling. So I sat down on a waiting room chair, and laid her on my lap. My husband helped. The people around us covered their noses, but understood. Whenever there's no changing table in a public room, don't use the stall, turn on your car AC and use your back seat, if you're at an airport or restaurant and no car, use a chair and make sure you lay your baby on a chaining mat or blanket. Don't worry about disgusting people, as we all go potty.

My 2yo is in underwear now... I take her into the bathroom stall and sit her on the potty... And it it does take her quite a bit longer, because I always give her a chance to go poo too if she doesn't immediately try to climb down.

Although, when she was younger and in diapers, and I happened to go somewhere that didn't have a changing station, and there wasn't enough counter space, I would absolutely put down her changing pad and change her diaper in the stall. I'm not about to haul her outside to my car to change her diaper... A lot of times, there IS no other, more private location to pick from. I'm not going to change her outside of the bathroom, especially at a place where people are trying to eat! (I would think that would be a health code violation...) I ONCE tried to change my DD outside the stall, because the bathroom was a bit busy... and she wound up getting her hand stepped on by some woman not paying attention.

I think it's incredibly rude of the woman to make that remark... after all, I'm sure you waited YOUR turn in line... as did your daughter. You both had business to take care of, and it's your right to take the time you need to get it done. Heck, I have been stuck behind many women who take PLENTY of time in the stall just taking care of themselves! It's not like you were in there just hanging out... You were using it for what it's meant to be used for. In fact, many places have started putting the baby changing stations IN the stalls!

Ususally the baby change table is outside the stall. If there wasn't a change table I would usually have used the sink counter. I can't say I ever changed a baby in the stall though. I do remember changing lots of diapers on the back of the van.

She was either having a bad day or is just always like that. So petty!

To answer your question, I've changed my kids in many, many different places. Wherever is most convenient for us and least inconvenient for others. I also changed them standing up as soon as it made sense to do so. So much easier!!!

Try not to worry too much about the woman or about the comments about it being gross. As with most moms, you do the best you can under the circumstances. Try not to sweat it!

Yes... I would do it outside the stall. Inside the stall is so disgusting to me.

Have a large changing pad that you can lay on the counter. Usually there's just enough room next to the sink to do it. If not, change the baby in the car. It's just easier.

Well, I would certainly NOT do a changing the toddler's diaper while she was standing for all to see. BUT... you know where I WOULD do it? In my car or in another secluded area like a grassy spot that was inconspicuous or something like that... if there was no changing table. That is just me, and I think if you can pull off a clean change in a stall while the child is standing... GO FOR IT!

Either way, that loud-mouthed lady was just plain rude... If it wasn't you changing your daughter it could have been you having a "longer visit" or someone else in front of her. It isn't anyone's fault that she was about to have an accident. Seriously, if it is THAT dire, go to the Men's room (where it is most likely empty), or go to another facility if she was THAT desperate. Shows she has no class to announce it anyways... Composure!

YES... I LOVE April's answer! HAHAHA:)

I just responded to your other question, but to answer this, if there was a booth, I probably would change a diaper there or in the car. Both are cleaner than a restroom. Remember, you waited in line, too, you have a right to take the time to take care of your kid!

Gotta agree with the others, using a public bathroom is nasty enough but changing a diaper in one is even worse. I always did it in the car or stroller whenever possible.
But yes, that was pretty rude of her. If she had to go that bad she should have high tailed it over to the men's room. My weak little bladder and I have done that more than once, lol!

No changing table = changing in the car (passenger seat). If weather would be a concern then I toss something on the nasty floor (blanket or burp rag) and change then right there (outside of the stall). That woman could have been more tactful and less rude.. but all-in-all, she had a point. But I also have 2 young kids in diapers.. and even with cloth diapers I am in and out lol.

I would if I didnt have to use the bathroom as well (for kids not standing, that would be awkward with a bigger kid- not because of embarrassment but because if they are astanding you can wipe and throw TP in th toilet instead) BUT thats my choice J. like you have yours.

I would change her outside the stall, especially if there was a line.

And by the way, I don't think the woman was rude. It was a simple question. Sometimes we have no choice but to wait - perhaps she was on public transportation or a long car ride or had physical issues that make her have sudden urges. Don't judge lest ye be judged!

You did what you needed to do and that is that!! I would have told the lady in a mommy voice that next time we shouldn't wait till the last minute to go pee pee :) I used to take my son when he was way little and my daughter into the same stall with me and all 3 of us would use the bathroom!!! When he was still in diapers I hated when the changing table was in the handicap stall because I didn't feel right taking it up for that amount of time so he could get changed and DD and I could pee!!

S.

I never question how long a mom with kids takes in a bathroom. Period. We've all been there at some point. No reason for the woman to be rude. And this is coming to you from someone who has a bladder the size of a thimble.

It takes as long as it takes.

I would never change my child IN a stall. Nasty. So yes, but that's where I would have changed a child anyway, changing table or not.