to use a disabled toilet if I've got the buggy?

[MrsHelsBels74]

Pretty much as the thread title says, if you're out in public & need to loo but can't fit the buggy into a normal cubicle is it acceptable to take the buggy into the disabled toilet? I'd never use a disabled parking space but did this today in desperation. So, is it ok or still a no-no?

Casper

No you have a reason to use . Ds2 looks fit and healthy but like yourself in crohns flare up he really can not wait

Tbh I always tend give benefit of doubt to others

I used to prop the door open with the pushchair so dd/ds could see me. Not a big deal. I'd say the last thing we need is loads of huge cubicles the queue for the ladies is long enough as it is.

I have done this when the shop or wherever I am has made it impossible (or near enough) to get a buggy in the ladies loos. I wouldnt use the disabled loo if I could get in the ladies as I have no hang ups about leaving either DC outside the cubicle in the buggy.

So should we not use the baby changing facilities? Surely someone must have an opinion!

I have been in this situation btw and did think Oh I'll just push buggy into cubicle keep door open to keep an eye on kids but the sinks were down the end of the line of loo and queue of people waiting other end. I chickened out as everyone could see me and asked a random stranger to watch the kids.

Welcome to my life!

YANBU to use the disabled toilet if you need more room. Disabled toilets aren't solely for use by disabled people! If I'm out with DD2 who's just toilet trained I'll use the disabled loo which is closer. Not ALL disabled people have incontinence issues fgs. threesock - you're being ridiculous.

Am also that threads like this never consider what happens if there happen to be 2 disabled people who need to use the toilet???

I do this. I occasionally do it without the buggy (but with DS) if I'm somewhere with tiny cubicles as I can't go to the toilet with Ds on my knee.

I have to say, it is easier to pee holding a baby on your lap than people seem to think. I have done it quite a few times when I've had no other choice.
Obviously it is less convenient, but it can be done! I've often had to change DD in a normal toilet cubicle with me sitting on toilet lid and her lying across my lap, when there haven't been any changing facilities (or I've judged them to be too dirty) that also can be done.

Of course it is easier just to use the disabled toilet, but if it wasn't there, I bet most parents with buggies would manage somehow. Amazing what's possible when there's no alternative if you put your mind to it!

But I would personally like to see more large parent and child cubicles, with adult and toddler toilets, and changing tables and space for a buggy.

Of course you should, it's there for you to use, I just wish they weren't put in together, but then I also wish the sign for disability wasn't a wheelchair, as then people assume there's nothing wrong with you if you aren't using one.
Though if you are using one, they then assume you can't understand them
Disabled means nothing, as a title, the same way able bodied doesn't. We are all individuals with different needs.

I do think we need to kick up more of a fuss that large shopping centres think it acceptable not to have any toilets that allow access with a buggy.

I think using the disabled is a judgement call, sometimes it is the very last resort but I would ask all those who have to do so to mention it at customer services at the time or write a letter after - it is the only way things will improve.

Ok reading through the thread I am feeling a bit crap motherish now for leaving the baby and buggy outside the cubicle door. Does no one else do this - or perhaps its that I live in a small town...

Devils advocate, so waht about if you've a dodgy tummy and there's a queue for the ladies but disabled is empty. Should you crap yourself or run in to the disabled.

I mean in the pecking order of wetting/crapping yourself if toilet is in use, do disabled people come above non disabled?

Oddboots - but they DO have toilets accessible for a buggy - the so called "disabled" toilets!! Mumsfretter - easy, you use the accessible toilet

Disabled toilets aren't solely for use by disabled people!

Strange comment, are the ladies toilets not just for ladies?

Why are they called disabled toilets if they are not there to be used Soley by disabled people!?

Because sometimes disabled toilets have baby changers in

Because it was disabled people who campaigned for them I suppose. But they are just accessible toilets - not disabled toilets. As lots of people have said not all disable people are the same - they don't all need specially designed toilets! for example - my Mum is registered disabled, but she is perfectly capable and able to use a regular toilet.

Then they need to signpost them 'disabled and buggies' ginmakesitallok and make the policy clear that the toilets are not exclusively for disabled people.

They are called disabled toilets because they are for disabled people. It's surely not that hard to understand?

If they are "disabled and baby change" they are duel purpose. If they are "disabled" they are for use by disabled people.

Well, sometimes I have to say I have a little rant inside my head when I see the disabled toilet has a queue of prams outside and I know I need to go as quickly as possible. My experience was not that I got bumped to the front of the queue but that I got ignored and it took a very long time to get to the toilet. (I am working on my Hi I am disabled even though I may not look like it, can I take priority speech right now.)

Fortunately I was seated in my scooter at that particular time so no dire need, but I get a little annoyed sometimes that places choose to place changing facilities for non-disabled children because of course mums will all use it. The majority of the time it's not a problem, but the fact that it is even sometimes annoys me.

I have noticed lots of places now with a bigger cubicle in the normal ladies toilets, I assume for prams, or with specific baby change rooms and a couple of disabled toilets, which are locked and radar key accessible. I think they have got it right.

The disabled toilet really should be left for those that need it, and any venue I attend which doesn't differentiate between baby change and disabled does get an email or letter to explain, especially places where I go for leisure activities as they attract mums with babies and it's actually a consideration I have to make as to whether I can get to the toilet while there or not.

I really think this is something that the world is a bit behind with, ensuring accessible toilets stay that way but also providing for those with babies as that brings with it it's own set of difficulties when out. I think they need to be separated into different things.

no unless it had a baby changing table in when ds was stilll in napies and he needed changing

though i admit i did once when i was heavily pregnant, i had a kidney infection too in lots of pain and really had to wee there and then

yes it is a pita to use a normal toilet when you have a buggy but nothing more than that

Oddboots - perhaps you are right. After all they are usually indicated by a picture of a wheelchair and no one is suggesting that you actually need a wheelchair to use one are they?? The wheelchair sign indicates that this toilet is accessible for a wheelchair - doesn't mean that folk without one (whether disabled or not) can't use it.

Debenaham are very good at having very good family facilities which aren't linked in any way to the disabled toilets.