Baby changing rooms help needed

[amyfox]

Hello, I'm a new mum and want to take my baby, Diana, out and about - in the city, the countryside, etc, etc.

I have never yet been into a baby changing room and wondered if someone could give me some advice.

Firstly, are there locks on the doors? As a new mum, I think I'd manage better in one of these rooms if I were alone with Diana. I don't really fancy the idea of other mums and dads walking in mid-change!

Also, are there any changing tables in the rooms? If so, do these tend to be the plastic fold-down type I've heard of - or more substantial tables?

Many thanks in anticipation!

Amy x

depends entorely when you go... they're all different.. some have locks,some dont, most have decent tables, but toilets that have a baby change usually have the fold down table.... dont let it put you off going out....

Hi Spinach, thanks for your reply.

So, some have actual proper tables then? Four legs and similar - rather than the fold-down ones?!

I really don't fancy the idea of putting my baby onto a flimsy fold-down table - or using a room with no lock.

Could anyone recommend shops, etc, with good changing rooms?

Thanks,

Amy x

Mother care have them but they are all shared as they are big rooms. Big M & Ss have them department stores. But they are mostly shared. Its not something that ever concerned me though.

some have counter tops to use rather than tables/pull down units.... depends which shops, which branches.... my home town is useless.

Things i learnt quickly:
take anti bacterial wipes so you can wipe surface before changing baby
get a foldable changing mat you can take out with you
the boot of your car works well!

Just have a look at them... Mothercare usually good, and M&S

A lot of the fold down ones aren't flimsy.
Never had a problem with there not being a lock. Have used many with more than one changing table in. Everyone wanders in, does what needs to be done and wanders out again.

Yes the pull down ones from the wall are very strong. My uge 3 year old was sitting on one at the swimming pool today.

Thanks for your replies everyone - OK, sounds like the fold-down tables are OK then! Although, I would prefer something a little more sturdy.

I'm still not sure about communal changing rooms though. As a newby mum, I'm no expert at changing and would prefer some privacy!

Thanks for the tip about taking the wipes, too. Good one!

How old is your dd? It really will not take you long to become an expert.
Please don't let your worrys put you off going out if that is what you want to do.
Which town are you local to? Maybe someone can give you some tips specific to where you live?

Some of the fold downs are shaped and have a waist strap so they can 't roll off others are counters by a sink with a padded mat like you may have at home. If you have a fold up changign mat you might like to put it down on top of htis or some may have disposable sheets.

Think of it that you probably do 5-7 a day (I can't remember now) so within a few weeks you will have hundreds under your belt. Also I think you get less obbsessed with changing them so frequently as time goes on.

Thank you! She's almost a month old and I do have a changing bag with a roll-up mat, although I haven't used it yet.

As for where I'm from, I live in Derby.

I really wouldn't worry about other parents coming in. They are not going to judge you on how you change your baby. In fact you may find you prefer changing your baby in communal spaces. It's much more sociable, less cramped, and you can pick up some great tips from people in situations identical to you - nappies, special offers, which local cafes are the most buggy accessible, etc. In fact you can guarantee someone will say something nice about your baby. Especially if she's only a month old.

I know how you feel cause its how I felt when I first started going out but once you're in and start doing it you're totally oblivious to whats going on around you!!!

Hi Amyfox, bit of advice specific to Derby! There are not that many changing rooms in town, Cafe Nero and Druckers in the Eagle Centre have facilities in their disabled loos so the doors lock but I think they are the fold out types( These are tested to withstand heavy toddlers and can't say i've ever found them flimsy!),Eagle Centre loos also have a baby changing room. Sainsbury's have a counter type changer with a mat as do Boots but I think these are communal.No-one will be watching you , they too are busy sorting their own kids out!!
Whereabouts in Derby are you?

IN nice weather parks and gardens and churchyards can be good for an alfresco change. while baby is small the parcel shelf of the car can be OK, I prefer it to chnageing him on my lap in the car anyway.
Remember to get everything you might possibly need out of your bag before getting babe out of pushchair. V frustrating when you forget and have to try and and fish things out one handed while holding squirmy half naked pooh covered babe whos an expert in peeing at the worst possible moment...

the standard plastic fold down ones that most places use are for children up to 25kg - so they are pretty sturdy (but bring your own wipes!)

Don't worry about not being an experienced nappy changer. I should be, as DS is now 16 months, but as soon as I take his nappy off he rolls over and stands up - and I often end up making as big a mess as when he was a newborn!