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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed that my local Sure Start Children's Centre wouldn't let me change my baby there?

63 replies

Habichuela · 22/03/2013 11:53

Yesterday I was at a cafe with a friend, I went to use the baby changing facilities but the cafe is brand new and the changing table thing was not yet attached to the wall. I then remembered that there was a local Sure Start Children's Centre very near by, so thinking that they are a "Milk Spot" and supposed to be a one stop shop for all things child-related, my friend and I popped over so I could use the baby changing.

To my dismay the receptionist refused for me to enter, saying that they don't just let "anybody in". I thought this was out of order but she refused point blank to let me in!

Am I being unreasonable to be shocked and annoyed at this?

OP posts:
gordyslovesheep · 22/03/2013 11:57

YABU it's not a public building - they are probably not insured to let you wander in and out

Fakebook · 22/03/2013 11:57

Could you not have put a changing mat on the floor of the toilets and change your baby there? Confused. Why trek all the way to a sure start centre?

twinklesparkles · 22/03/2013 11:58

Depends...

Were they actually open? My sure start centre is often "open" but its just for the staff working and there's nothing else on that day,

Also you have to be registered with them.. So maybe that's why she didn't let you in?

Catsdontcare · 22/03/2013 11:58

Yabu, it's not a drop in centre.

NonnaMai · 22/03/2013 11:59

Yes I think you are being a little bit U. It would have been nice if they had let you but they are under no obligation. You weren't using the center.

50BalesOfHay · 22/03/2013 11:59

You could always put the lavatory seat down, sit on it and change baby on your lap, it's what I used to do 'way back then' when nowhere had changing facilities.

Original poster
Habichuela · 22/03/2013 12:00

It was freezing cold in the toilets and the SS Centre is literally 1 minute away. I've used their Milk spot before so I couldn't see what the issue was. I would have been happy to sign in.

OP posts:
ArabellaBeaumaris · 22/03/2013 12:00

I suppose this depends on the layout of the building. I have been allowed in to one SureStart centre to use the toilet (I was heavily pregnant & my toddler needed the potty too), but they had a toilet in the foyer. At the centre I use now, the toilets with baby change are by the contact rooms so I can imagine that when the contact rooms are in use there is no way they would let some random in to wander about the centre.

Original poster
Habichuela · 22/03/2013 12:00

Twinklesparkles, yes I am registered with them

OP posts:
Original poster
Habichuela · 22/03/2013 12:01

They had the baby clinic yesterday too

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Original poster
Habichuela · 22/03/2013 12:01

(which is drop in)

OP posts:
AllTheWittyNamesAreGone · 22/03/2013 12:02

Yabu

Ours isn't always open to everyone
it runs courses or staff things. It has baby groups on every day but out side the advertised times you cant just wonder in

Airwalk79 · 22/03/2013 12:02

There won't always be changing facilities everywhere you go. Why didnt you just change baby on your knee/the floor? Put your coat or something on the floor if its cold or hard?

VinegarDrinker · 22/03/2013 12:03

What is a Milk Spot?

VinegarDrinker · 22/03/2013 12:04

And agree with everyone else who said why not just change on floor/your lap.

Our CC has a nursery attached and very strict in/out policy. You have to be registered and sign in and out.

Original poster
Habichuela · 22/03/2013 12:05

A place you can go in to feed your baby, anytime

OP posts:
Original poster
Habichuela · 22/03/2013 12:05

I am registered and I would have happily signed in and out, plus they have there regular baby clinic then

OP posts:
Fakebook · 22/03/2013 12:05

I think you should get used to changing a baby in toilets in exceptional circumstances.

VinegarDrinker · 22/03/2013 12:07

Is it open 24/7? That's a v good, if costly to run idea! Is it just like a lounge with chairs and things? Tbh I can't imagine using one but it's a nice thought esp for women nervous about feeding in public, especially if on a busy high st for example.

VinegarDrinker · 22/03/2013 12:08

Why didn't you just lie and say you needed to feed your baby or wanted to get him/her weighed?

I don't think they should be a free for all for baby changing - you really don't need special facilities.

Original poster
Habichuela · 22/03/2013 12:09

VinegarDrinker:Because I thought they were a one stop shop for looking after new babies-feeding and changing as well as all the other activities that take place. My friend thought the same too, they are always nice and warm inside !

OP posts:
VinegarDrinker · 22/03/2013 12:11

Yours might be, but I've never heard of them being used like that. The ones round here certainly aren't.

Original poster
Habichuela · 22/03/2013 12:12

Vinegar Drinker, sorry, they are not open 24 hours a day (more like 6 hours a day), but when they are open you can go in and feed. I didn't lie firstly because I'm not a liar and secondly because I didn't think I would need to. I was genuinely surprised.

OP posts:
Original poster
Habichuela · 22/03/2013 12:15

People saying I need to get used to there not being proper changing facilies, I have used the floor etc whilst out before I just went to the Centre because it was close by and warm, usually you can even have a a cup of tea in the lounge area and I thought as I'm allowed to go in to feed my baby I would also be able to just go to use their changing table.

OP posts:
Original poster
Habichuela · 22/03/2013 12:16

Maybe some receptionists are more lax than others?

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