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Why don't UK public loos have baby-holder seats?

8 replies

Kokeshi123 · 12/08/2019 15:32

I am visiting from overseas (am British, but a long-term overseas resident), and am continually flummoxed by the lack of baby-holder seats in the toilets! I am talking about this kind of thing here.

www.combiwith.co.jp/english/toilet/bk_f72.html

They are used to put babies and toddlers (up to age 2) in while you pee, poo, change sanpro and pull your clothing up etc.. Keeps them clean and in one place. They take up very little space and can fit into even very small cubicles.

Back in this country, I am SICK of the fact that I so often face a choice between taking up space in a disabled loo, or trying to pull my jeans up while holding a baby and trying not to drop her or bang her head on something. Or putting the baby on the floor (!?). And trying to stop her pulling things out of the sanitary bin etc. It seems dangerous and unhygienic. Occasionally a regular (non-disabled cubicle has a changing table, but most babies hate being left to lie on them, flat on their backs, while you pee, and mine tries to wriggle out of the crappy unsubstantial harness, which seems so unsafe. And sometimes the changing table pulls down over the loo, so it can't be used while you are peeing.

Given all the discussions I have seen on MN about parents using disabled loos because they are the only ones that you can get a pram inside (and are often the only ones with changing tables), I can't help feeling that this would be a space-efficient way to help parents and make things safer for babies, while ensuring that disabled loos can be prioritized for disabled customers...?

OP posts:
Ivysaurus · 12/08/2019 15:34

Never seen these before but they are genius!

RunsForGummyBears · 12/08/2019 15:36

Many cubicles don't have enough room

ZazieTheCat · 12/08/2019 15:39

Great idea. Practically all the public loos in this area have been closed due to cuts though. Might catch on in commercial premises.

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Kokeshi123 · 12/08/2019 15:41

Yup, hard to get money for public things these days. But you would think shopping centers etc. would consider this.... hmm. I have to say, where I live they are fitted into really small cubicles, because they fit into a corner, and some of them actually "fold up" into the wall.

OP posts:
LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 12/08/2019 15:44

Because the toilets have been planned and built by men and the issue of where to put a baby/toddler has never even occurred to them. It's the same reason the sanitary bins don't fit in the cubicle properly so your arse is resting on it whilst your in the loo.

Littlebelina · 12/08/2019 15:46

Our local swimming baths has a similar thing but bolted on the wall of the family changing room. It folds up so doesn't take up much room. However the straps were broken last time we went to use it. It's not just the initial cost but maintenance to consider

stucknoue · 12/08/2019 15:47

Because you aren't meant to leave your baby unattended in them. You put your baby in the pushchair while you use the toilet. They were all removed from public toilets where I lived overseas over 10 years ago because a baby was seriously hurt climbing out

mummmy2017 · 12/08/2019 15:51

Most toilets are so small your knees touch the sides and there is no room to swing a door open without a squeeze, so where would you put this?

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