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Original poster

To think baby change facilities should just be for that?

86 replies

rustyflame · 09/01/2026 10:59

Just returned from a supermarket, baby needed changing so I popped to the baby change, it was locked, so I waited… and waited for around 15 minutes.

I just assumed someone may be feeding their baby or something so I just patiently waited until the door opened and out walked a middle aged man who had absolutely stunk the place out so I gagged as I walked in and had to change baby in the stench he’d left behind.
I couldn’t go anywhere else and I really had to change the baby.
The baby change is situated next to the gents but he obviously wanted the privacy of the baby change which he occupied for at least 15 minutes and however long before I arrived.

OP posts:
LighthouseLED · 09/01/2026 11:21

rustyflame · 09/01/2026 11:15

Again then they can use the disabled toilet.

Show quote history

Perhaps it was occupied when he got there and he couldn’t wait, but needed the space in the disabled / baby change?

I think it’s unreasonable to choose to use a baby change when there are other options, but you don’t know for sure that was the case here.

ShesTheAlbatross · 09/01/2026 11:20

Yes obviously someone who could have used another option (the men’s, or the disabled toilet if applicable) would be polite to do that, as someone changing a baby who needs changing can only use the bay change.

BarnacleBeasley · 09/01/2026 11:19

Meadowfinch · 09/01/2026 11:15

I guess it depends on space. Our tesco has combined baby change/disabled toilet.

A baby change with just a table, wash basin and a bin would work and be in much less demand.

It would, but it's tricky if you have a baby with you and also need to go to the toilet.

WallyWasEre · 09/01/2026 11:17

I usually just changed my kids in the pushchair by reclining it. DH came up with a clever way to swiftly and cleanly change the nappy on the fly by using a clean nappy as the changing mat. My main issue was how filthy other parents used to leave the changing mats in baby changers. There were literal chunks of poo left on one, and frequently smears. 🤢

Meadowfinch · 09/01/2026 11:15

I guess it depends on space. Our tesco has combined baby change/disabled toilet.

A baby change with just a table, wash basin and a bin would work and be in much less demand.

Original poster
rustyflame · 09/01/2026 11:15

NewPinkJacket · 09/01/2026 11:14

Why did it stink, was there a toilet in there?

I think as I'd waited 15 minutes I would've waited a little longer for the smell to clear, or changed the baby in buggy or car.

I feel more sorry for disabled users who constantly have to wait for parents to finish changing their babies, or breastfeeding while they're in desperate need of the toilet.

ETA: Cross posted.

Edited

Again then they can use the disabled toilet.

OP posts:
NewPinkJacket · 09/01/2026 11:14

Why did it stink, was there a toilet in there?

I think as I'd waited 15 minutes I would've waited a little longer for the smell to clear, or changed the baby in buggy or car.

I feel more sorry for disabled users who constantly have to wait for parents to finish changing their babies, or breastfeeding while they're in desperate need of the toilet.

ETA: Cross posted.

Original poster
rustyflame · 09/01/2026 11:14

mindutopia · 09/01/2026 11:10

People with bowel issues often need to use the disabled toilet, which often is where the baby changing facilities are located.

I can’t get worked up about people needing to use the loo. I would have just used my car or found another changing facility.

That’s fine he could have used the disabled toilet or the gents. I couldn’t.

OP posts:
Original poster
rustyflame · 09/01/2026 11:12

Snowingtoday · 09/01/2026 11:06

Was it specifically marked as the Baby Change facility? I know often the Baby Change and Disabled Toilet are a combined facility.

No there is also a disabled toilet, this was specifically a baby change.

OP posts:
mindutopia · 09/01/2026 11:10

People with bowel issues often need to use the disabled toilet, which often is where the baby changing facilities are located.

I can’t get worked up about people needing to use the loo. I would have just used my car or found another changing facility.

Snowingtoday · 09/01/2026 11:06

Was it specifically marked as the Baby Change facility? I know often the Baby Change and Disabled Toilet are a combined facility.

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