To think there should be a toilet in a baby changes

[Cinai2]

Whenever out on my own with my baby, I either use the toilet while having him in a sling which is neither comfortable nor hygienic, or when he’s sleeping in his pram I need to leave the door to my cubicle open and let go of my last bit of dignity. Which actually I only did once, if my baby sleeps in his pram and I need the loo I just don’t go, but that’s no solution either. Admittedly (and I know there’s a strong opposition on MN) I’m very happy to find a baby change combined with a disabled toilet so that I can change him and use the toilet at the same time. I’m aware that this admission alone will give me a big YABU but should there be better provisions for women with babies to actually use the toilet in a dignified way?

I agree. If I have another baby I will buy a radar key so I can fit the pram and have a wee!

If you put toilets in the baby change it will probably get used by other people trying to avoid the queues in the other toilets.

Why is it unhygienic to go to the loo with the baby is a sling?

The John Lewis near us has this and it’s great. It’s really big, you could easily manoeuvre a double buggy in it. Plus the small loo for toddlers is handy. The actual baby change station is outside the big toilet, along a long wall with multiple spaces, and then there’s also a private feeding area with comfy rocking chairs.
They got so much custom from me when I had children in pram/nappy age because I was always in there using it and then would end up in the cafe or the clothing department. Other shops should cotton on!

You mean like everyone does with the disabled toilets?

I have noticed at work that since we changed to a accessible toilet needing a radar key we don't have so many trying to use it or walk off the street to use it.

That wasn't her question - which should there be better provision for mothers and babies.

It would be nice if there was without disadvantaging a large percentage of disabled people.

However pigs are more likely to fly.

Well, even if I try not to, I often have to manoeuvre sling parts and/or baby after using the toilet to put my clothes back on and I’d prefer washing my hands between using a toilet (even more so a public one) and touching baby / baby things.

Assuming you haven't got another adult with you, you NEED to not leave you baby somewhere you can't see it. It is just as important for you to be in a private space AND be somewhere you can see your baby, as it is for a disabled person to use that toilet. Obviously don't be longer than you need, but if you NEED to use that space to keep your child safe, or because that's where the changer is, use it. No-one should use the disabled toilet who doesn't really need it, but obviously as a disabled person, if someone else is in it, I have to wait. If it's a mum/dad on their own with a buggy who needs it to keep their kid safe, that is no worse actually than waiting for a disabled person.

Yes though there should be better provision for parents. Five stars to the shopping centre near us which was built a few years ago -

• changing room: four changing stations, sink, and space for 4 prams
• breast feeding room: two comfy chairs, coffee table, space for 2 prams
• four "family" toilets: sink, child size loo, adult size loo, wall mounted folding changer; pram space
• 3 standard disabled toilets
• 1 changing places toilet

I understand what you're saying, but it actually isn't logical in most toilets. You usually have to touch the door (which everyone has touched) after you wash your hands, so then you touch your baby anyway. If this bothers you, you could carry sanitiser and gel your hands after leaving the toilet.
I guess you could do that in the toilet too though, and use the sling/carry method. That would work fine and bonus, you don't cause a disabled person to soil themselves whilst waiting for you.

I agree with you !!! It annoys me so much!!! Oh so I have to go to the baby change to change my toddlers nappy, but then if I need to pee I need to find the women’s toilets, and as you say, either juggle him in with me or leave the cubicle door open!!

Another pet hate is baby changing where there is a loo but no restraints/broken restraints on the changing table. Great, I'll just leave the baby to roll off there on to the floor while I have a wee/wash my hands then, shall I.

Yes 👏🏻 I feel the same

A constant source of frustration for me too.
I do use the disabled. No way in hell am I leaving my child unattended, and as @ThejoyofNC says, these days I don't feel comfortable leaving the door open, though I used to do this a few years back.
IKEA is fantastic, as are some National Trust places. A separate disabled. A separate baby change with adult size and child size toilet, baby change mat. IKEA even have potties and toilet seat reducers, and colouring things.

Wow, that is such amazing provision.

I'd use the disabled toilet

I usually use the disabled toilet in the UK but now I have a baby and toddler it’s really gross with the toddler touching the bin/ toilet seat/ picking tissues from the floor.
we live in France now and family rooms are common in shopping centres and airports, they usually have an adult toilet, children’s toilet and sink and a little seat to strap a younger toddler too. Often they have a room attached where you can feed baby with some toddler toys- it’s really great.

Well yes, and then parents will be complaining they can’t use the baby change.
I also don’t think that anyone should pop in and use the disabled loos when there is a long wait for theirs.

This does my head in and seems so unnecessary cos nearly every parent i know including me will need a wee when we are out and so much h better doing it alongside a nappy change!

It's pot luck here tho - asda have one, m&s none... which is annoying as then every parent/baby combo ends up using the 1 disabled loo and demographically that's often needed by elderly/disabled people ... while a massive baby change with no toilet is next door... madness

Surely they realise having a baby buggers up the ability to hold your wee?

But loads on here have said that it’s fine for parents to use the disabled toilets.