to think it’s rude to change nappies in front of guests?

[ChloeAdams120]

Hi all,

Went to a friends house today and my daughter needed her nappy changed. I asked her where should I go change her expecting her to say bathroom or her daughters room. She said just change her on the floor. I was a bit taken back and thought it was unfair on everyone else in the room. Thoughts?

Surprised it's an issue. Nappies need changing a lot, I certainly wouldn't tell someone to leave the room so they could change a nappy and I'd be a little put out if they asked me to do so. (Though of course I would if it was their house).

I don't know though, seeing as I used to work in a nursery I've changed hundreds of nappies. I'm not one of those that is only not bothered by my own kid's nappies.
A dirty bum is a dirty bum.

You did the right thing OP.

I have a friend over once, who decided to change her baby while I was in the kitchen making coffee. She did it on my cream sofa, no mat, and got shit on it! She was so blase about it as that’s what she did at home. That was the end of the friendship (and the sofa, as I couldn’t get the stain, or the smell, out of it).

Where were you expected to wash your hands afterwards?

usually in the kitchen after you take the nappy bag outside and put it in the bin?

I’ve never really come across baby or toddler poo that smells much

Challenge accepted...

Yuk. Use the bathroom

She is 2.5 so I mean it’s not like it’s baby poo and there was a lot of it [yuck]. It is really divided on what people think.

It's really not awkward.

"Where's your bathroom Helen? Looks like Hector's done a massive poo!"
"Oh don't worry, you can change him here"
"You really don't want that -- trust me! Is it through here?"

See? Not awkward. No implied criticism of the host.

I used to ask where to change and where to put the nappy. BF poo or wee was pretty inoffensive and was often fine for an indoor bin kitchen or nappy bin, but some people favoured direct to the wheelie bin.

By the time DS weaned exposing food allergies, it was a no brainer to go to a well ventilated bathroom and get the nappy out ASAP.

I'd have gone to the bathroom. You need to wash your hands after anyway. So the question is where is the bathroom, not where shall I change her?

There isn’t room to change a nappy in my bathroom! If you were in my house then it would be the living room, the hallway (draughty) or the conservatory (cold). I wouldn’t suggest the dining room or either of my DCs rooms as they are my DCs personal spaces, nor my room for the same reason.

Not something that I even considered to wonder about,much less worry about it.

In my flat it would be sofa or my bedroom .
My best friend has a little one and she changes it in front of us, not just that but I changed her myself a few times if friend was busy.

It's seriously not something to fret about. Or if it's causing that much anxiety, start potty training.

Newborns totally happy for them to do it anywhere and the hand washing issue - usually they use wipes IME.
Gotta day though. . . Ginormous toddlers and ginormous toddler shits as a big as a normal humans - take ‘em to the bathroom to do it

I don't have kids and not a fan of public nappy changing. It's just grim in my opinion. However my friends with kids do it a lot so I have accepted I'm in the minority and that they must be magically immune to poo.

Really @BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou? You don't have a metre by 50 cm of floor space in your bathroom? How the hell do you manage to fit a sink and shower in there?

I've just seen the update your child is 2.5, so my answer has changed! I assumed they were under 2. Yes I'd find it a bit odd to change a child's nappy of that age in front of guests, at that age they ought to be using the potty/toilet really, and you wouldn't do that in the middle of the living room in front of lots of people! Especially for a poo, your child must've been mortified everyone knew! Mine were fully out of nappies by then, but I'm sure any child that age would be self-conscious. Next time (if your child is still in nappies during the day), just explain she's a bit self-conscious she's still in nappies so it's for her really, no offence taken or confused glances will be given! Easy!

It depends if there was food and drink involved, I think mixing poo stench with a buffet can be off putting, otherwise fine

www.romper.com/p/what-happens-when-you-dont-wash-your-hands-after-changing-a-diaper-its-pretty-gross-7922179

A link for those who seem to think it’s ok not to wash hands after changing a nappy, because, you know, we use wipes. Yes, it’s an American website, but, as we’re finding out to our cost, germs/viruses know no boundaries.

Why did you ask? I would have just gone to the bathroom to change .

Wow momato, there's a hell of a lot of judgement in one post!

Sorry, mamato

Depends entirely on the guests. My mum friends having a play date? No issue - we all just change and continue conversing in whatever room we are in. Round at the vicar's house for tea? Maybe go elsewhere.

If the host doesn't care then that's all that matters really. When I visit my parents I just change DD wherever we are and same with my nieces and nephews.

Now you’ve given her age, I do agree with you.
For milk fed tiddlers not such an issue.
There again, Is there a reason she is still in day time nappies?

@mamatobabybears

She was 18 weeks premature and has a lot of delays with regard to speech, walking and most things. She isn’t near potty training at all yet sadly despite trying already.

@mamatobabybears @Timetospare

On the basis a significant amount of children still aren’t potty trained by 2.5 years old, your comments come across at very judgemental. There can be multiple reasons a child is still in nappies, but with the most important reason being that the mother has decided that is what is best for her child.

And also @mamatobabybears
I have never, with the hundreds of 2.5 year olds I have met, witnessed 1 child self conscious of being in nappies at that age.

@Timetospare @mamatobabybears

I’m sure your perfect parenting meant your little ones were out of nappies at 1 and using the potty. Must be great to be a perfect parent judging others. I am a childminder and have been for 10 years and I can tell you that 2.5 is not late at all.