SIL - child changing a nappy at the tables in a soft play centre

[PagesOfABook]

AIBU to find this really disgusting or am I over sensitive?

SIL thinks nothing of changing her child's nappy while were sitting in the coffee shop part of a soft play area.

She just puts them on her lap to do it. She doesn't even make much of an attempt to hide it -so people at the next table who are eating food have a view of her baby's bottom.

I feel really embarrassed but don't think it's worth saying anything and falling out with her over it.

Luckily I've only seen her changing wet nappies in this way - so far anyway.

She didn't go in to the bathroom to wash her hands afterwards.

There were several adults there -we could have minded her other children while she popped into the baby change room which was about 20 foot away.

A friend did this too once. We were in a coffee shop in another children's play centre and it was very quiet and the baby changing room was nearby - it was empty and clean. My friend asked if we'd mind if she changed her baby's nappy on the floor next to our table - everyone said they didn't mind as it felt to awkward to say 'yes actually I do mind' . She changed the dirty nappy and pointed out the colour of the baby's poo. I felt a bit sick but pretended I wasn't as I sipped my coffee and tried to avert my eyes.

Maybe I'm overly sensitive but I think nappy changing should be done away from where food is consumed - and near a sink where you can wash your hands after. If you're out in the wilderness then use a hand sanitiser and wash your hands as soon as you get a chance.

I have 2 DCs and it was never a big deal to pop to the baby change room or the bathrooms.

[Paintedhandprints]

Yeh disgusting.

[TheTigerIsOut]

I think is disgusting and very disconsiderate to other people, most parents at play centres are used to change nappies several times a day but that doesn't mean they will be happy to have someone using the space they are using for drinking coffee/meals as the toilet.

[Bellebella]

Yeah that is pretty gross, can understand if people have no changing facilities. I have changed my son on my lap before when we were in the middle of nowhere but to do it with a changing area nearby is lazy

[BrandNewAndImproved]

I wouldn't care about wet ones.

[Oysterbabe]

Disgusting. I'd have said something.

[DisappointedOne]

I wouldn't have done it in that scenario, no, but I have changed wet nappies on my lap in pubs/restaurants with no facilities as it was a better option than putting DD on a filthy toilet floor. Urine is sterile and modern nappies hold it very effectively. It's not hard to fold them as you take them off so that none of the inside surface is exposed then put new one on. I always had anti bac gel for hand cleaning afterwards.

I remember having to take DD's entire pram into the only loo in one place to change her. Why places can't just install folding changing tables is beyond me.

[hazeyjane]

Yes it is disgusting.

Ds is now too big for most changing facilities (he is disabled) so unfortunately we have no choice but to change him on filthy toilet floors.

[TheGruffaloFish]

I've only ever done this in places with no changing tables or in the supermarket restaurant where you have to pay and are not allowed to take the buggy in (turnstile) so I would have had to leave my sleeping baby alone in the buggy.

But I've always asked the staff and been given the OK to use the bench at the table or a quiet corner of the restaurant.

[AllMyBestFriendsAreMetalheads]

My mum always found it weird that we used changing mats and changed babies on the floor and that years ago all babies were changed on laps.

[momsnest]

I would only change a baby on my lap if there was no alternative. I think it's inconsiderate and gross. I don't need to see your baby's bum thanks.

[Crabbitface]

YABU. It's just pee. Not disgusting! If it were poo YWNBU but pee is fine.

[Thurlow]

Nope, never appropriate to change it in front of lots of people in an area like that unless it's an absolute emergency.

99% of the time there's either a toilet or changing room available and if there isn't, there will be somewhere that is at least out of the way.

You might be used to your child's wee and poo and not be phased by it. Everybody else, however, is not used to it.

[Floggingmolly]

Pee is not fine. It's a table in a cafe; you're surrounded by people eating. Nappies being changed / toddlers on potties have no place anywhere near food being served.

[Sirzy]

When their is proper facilities available then they should be used.

[Excitedtoday]

Vile.

[BinToHellAndBack]

I've done that in a pub when after staff directed me to the most vile disabled toilet/baby change station ever. It was filthy and took me a while to find the 'change station' - a mat shoved behind the door on the wet and grubby floor that turned a baby wipe black when I ran it over in an attempt to make clean.

But with clean and appropriate facilities then YANBU, although I wouldn't actually find it disgusting (in the absence of a poo) so long as it wasn't on the table. For some reason, the smaller the baby, the less unacceptable it feels. Not sure why though!

[BalloonSlayer]

I am super impressed at people being able to change babies on laps - the only person I have ever seen doing it is my ex-nanny friend (who has presumably had more practice than most). I don't think I could do it myself.

So if I saw someone changing a baby on their lap in a public place I might think they were showing off their hardcore nappy-changing skills.

[luckiestgirlintheworld]

Wouldn't bother me.

[kali110]

Absolutely vile. Poo or wee.
People are eating! They don't want to see or smell kids bodily functions.
I'd say i can't believe people think it's acceptable however after being on mn for years and working in retail/hospitality i can.

[DriverSurpriseMe]

Lazy. There would have been a baby change several metres away.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

definately disgusting.

there was a changing facility she should have used it. I'm. Sure even the people who cannot use the facility, would at least do it away from an area where people are eating?

[bumblebeerat]

It's disgusting I was horrified years ago when a friend changed her baby on the chair next to her in a restaurant. There is no need for it. U have been known to sir on a toilet and change baby on my lap. Even if it is just wee it's still wrong to do it where people are eating

[MagicalMrsMistoffelees]

Doesn't bother me!