Needing the toilet when shopping alone with baby in pushchair!

[Cheekster]

Today, I went to a well known shopping centre with my 7mo old ds alone. (Something I never normally do) All was well until I realised I needed the loo!

I just didnt know what to do for the best, the shopping centre was really busy and my pushchair, is on the big and wide side and would no way fit into a cubicle and I would never leave the pushchair outside the cubicle.

So being desperate, (I cannot hold it like I used to be able to) the only way I could see round it was to use the disabled loo and take ds in his pushchair in with me.

Anyway, on my way out there was a lady waiting to use it in a mobility scooter. She quickly told me that I shouldnt be using the disabled toilet and was rather nasty TBH. I apologised and explained my situation but she was having none of it. I left feeling rather upset and embarrassed as I know I shouldnt really have taken advantage and used the disabled.

But what should I have done? Anyone been in the same situation?

See here.

I have never had any qualms about using the disabled with a pushchair in tow. There is no alternative.

She shouldn't be so rude.

there is an almost identical thread already

Most of the time they put the changing table and nappy bin in there too, so that's where you'd go anyway.

Ooops, missed the other thread!

In this case, there is a seperate baby and changing room, but it doesnt have a toilet in, just a breastfeeding room and a couple of changing stations! So thats what the ladies argument was, even though I explained it didnt have a toilet.

Im just wondering what to do if I end up in the same situation? There is no alternative really is there?

I have, in the past, gone in the end cubicle with the front of the pushchair pulled in the door. And hoped no one came close!

I always try and be in John Lewis when I need a wee. They have a family toilet - DD1 and I can sit companionably side-by-side weeing, while DD2 can sit in her pushchair in the same room.

How fab! Ive never seen a family toilet before with 2 toilets side by side.

They ought to have these in pubs and clubs seen as most ladies pee in twos!

There is a Debenhams where I live with a baby changing facility AND a loo for adults.
I don't know why nobody else has thought of this : common sense to me.
Otherwise, I would use the disabled loo IF there is nobody waiting - and VERy quickly.

For goodness sake - just because you're disabled it doesn't give you the automatic right to a toilet the very second that you need it. Sometimes in life we just have to wait a couple of minutes. She was being incredibly rude.

ffs whay don't we just turn mn in to a disabled toilets site.

Our Debenhams has a family toilet, it's awesome.
Other than that, disabled toilets all the way!

Im not sure that attitude is really necessary mshadowsisfab. It is just a simple question.

I am not a heavy user of mnet so didnt realise that the disabled toilet chat is a popular post, but doesnt that tell you something - that it is a common issue for parents.

I sometimes wonder what keyboard warriors gain from such posts!

When you become a parent you give up all rights to go to the loo when you need to.