To use the disabled loo when I'm with my son?

[RestingBitch]

My sons 9 months and obviously still in his pushchair. The majority of the time it's just me and him when I go into town/visit places. When I need the loo I get an attack of conscious, I normally use the disabled loo so I can bring him in with me.
Can't use a regular loo as I can't get him in the cubicle in his chair. Don't want to take him out of his pushchair and plonk him on the floor as the floors are manky and he will eat whatever is on the floor. He'll also probably try and crawl under the gap and interrupt someone else. Don't really like the idea of leaving him in his pushchair whilst I nip in the cubicle, so providing there isn't someone waiting for the disabled loos, AIBU to use them? I'm usually in and out and so far I've never encountered anyone waiting for one, or the impatient rattle of the door. If I am being unreasonable, short of pissing myself what's the options?

Not a troll, and don't work for any newspapers :).

[PurpleDaisies]

It depends what's on the door.

Man/woman/baby/wheelchair signs, fine.

Just a wheelchair, not fine.

[BeyondStrongAndStable]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1188463-to-use-the-disabled-toilet-in-this-situation

[AppleOfMyEye10]

Yanbu, anyone who suggests leaving your son outside the cubicle is just ridiculous. My DS will be screaming down the place just left there not knowing where I suddenly went to.
If there's a separate family cubicle then I would use that first.

[Sirzy]

If the only baby changing facility is in the disabled toilet then that is very poor planning from the planners but all too common but of course parents need to use it change nappies. But even then you do it quickly as possible!

[BeyondStrongAndStable]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/a2028308-to-have-used-the-disabled-loo

[PurpleDaisies]

I think the worst thing I've done is breast feed in one and the baby was taking such a long feed I felt bad when I got out as there was someone who needed it. But then there was nowhere I felt comfortable to bf.

This is unbelievably selfish. Disabled people have no choice about which toilet they can use. You could have breastfed anywhere.

[BeyondStrongAndStable]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2893836-Using-the-disabled-loos-WIBU

[lifesjoys]

Is it JUST disabilities?? Even "hidden" ones??

I suffer with IBS & IBS (bladder).

Effectively even though I'm not disabled, I do however need to get to the toilet asap during an episode, I'd feel sorry for anyone willing to challenge me.

[BeyondStrongAndStable]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/a740824-To-use-the-disabled-loo-to-avoid-sitting-on-turds

[BeyondStrongAndStable]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/parenting/1893821-How-to-manage-with-a-baby-in-a-public-toilet

[BeyondStrongAndStable]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/a1954932-To-have-used-the-disabled-loo-today

[hazeyjane]

If the nappy changing facilities are in there, then YANBU to change your baby in there.

If that isn't the case, then YABU.

And just because this thread will go on and on and on, with all sorts of scenarios and reasons why and why not.....and yada yada yada. Could I just put a link to the changing places campaign, which calls for more fully accessible toilets. Older children and adults often have to be changed on the 'manky' floor of the disabled toilet, as there is no choice, and because the facilities are just not there. So whilst you may balk at putting your 9 month on the floor - many thousands have no choice.
www.changing-places.org/

[BeyondStrongAndStable]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1227321--to-use-the-disabled-loo-when-out-with-DD

[Tootootootoo]

The best toilet sign I ever saw was on a disabled toilet making the point that it was provided as an accessible space, but if it was empty for others to please use it.

[DancingLedge]

Obviously if there's a family or larger toilet, no problem. Or, just maybe, the end cubicle, with the door not completely shut.
But about 95% of the time, the only larger cubicle is the disabled one, so that's what you use.

You could be holding up someone who urgently needs the disabled toilet ,but, in years of doing this with tinies, I literally never came out to find someone waiting.

I have a lot of sympathy with the person who will inevitably come on here and say, I have disability, and urgency,can't wait. But , sadly, you're going to have to deal if another disabled persons using the disabled loo.


I do wonder what the response would be if a poster started a thread, "sometimes I leave my one year old in a public space, alone, when I'm completely out of sight. Do you think I'm being a good parent?"

[Looneytune253]

Why can't you put your pushchair directly outside the cubicle door? I don't have a disability but I have a bowel problem. Sometimes I really have to go really quick but still wait my turn in the ladies. Please don't do that when you don't have to. Some people are in need of immediate access. It's not just for wheelchairs.

[Witchitywoo]

Of course you're BU! They are for people with disabilities, not parents with toddlers who are so precious they can't leave the toddler outside. Stop being so selfish and think about the people who DO need to use the disabled loos. The disabled, in our society, are marginalised enough as it is without entitled numpties using their facilities. How would you feel if, in years to come, you had a disability that necessitated frequent trips to the loo only to find inconsiderate people using them thus causing more problems/pain/discomfort for yourself? Downright bloody selfish!!!

[MaudGonneMad]

The OP's son is 9 months old, not a toddler.

[AppleOfMyEye10]

Why can't you put your pushchair directly outside the cubicle door?

And just leave the child there? And if he/she is crying? I won't leave my child outside there and just assume he's safe.

[kali110]

* I think the worst thing I've done is breast feed in one and the baby was taking such a long feed I felt bad when I got out as there was someone who needed it. But then there was no where I felt comfortable to bf.
Disgusting, absolutely disgusting.

[Notalotterywinner]

In my small town the only place that has a baby change is the disabled toilet therefore I see this as the place to go when out with baby. (My DD is now walking so no longer need to use it)

[ilovesooty]

FFS not again. You don't have a disability so leave these toilets for those who have.

[CrochetBelle]

If it's a toilet for disabled users, and you or your son are not disabled - YABU

If it's an accessible toilet, or a changing facility and your child needs changed YANBU.

EVERYONE could come up with an excuse a reason for why they need to use the disabled facilities. What did people do before they existed? The people who needed them just didn't go out - funnily enough everyone else (parents included) managed.