Question About Changing Baby in Public

Hide her private parts?? That's crazy! She's a baby for goodness sake! I wouldn't worry about changing her at all in public, on the floor or wherever. Some shopping malls have the change tables in public and not hidden away in the bathrooms, so what are people supposed to do there? I'd have to agree with you - it is no big deal for a baby to be naked.

I changed my baby everywhere, including once on a bench at the zoo. As long as you're comfortable, i dont see any reason she shouldnt be changed in front of a ten year old, modesty wise.

I've always just changed my kids anywhere and everywhere...... I've never thought twice. If they need to be changed, I just do it. I've never had anyone comment negative about it or seem uncomfortable. It's just a fact of life.....

If you are concerned, definitely just ask them, "Where would you prefer I change .......?"

If I'm in someone else's house (or a business), I ask. But it's for them, not for me or the baby. Out in public I've changed kiddo:

- on the trunk of my car
- on an airplane seat
- on the grass at a park
- in the yard
- at the beach
essentially wherever.

In my own home, it's REALLY wherever.

Kids have a free nudity pass until well into toddlerdom even in our ridiculously self conscious culture. Kids have no modesty and no shame. It's a cultural construct. We shame them, they learn modesty. It's a taught thing, AND it's impossible to teach until much much older.

I think out of consideration it's nice to ask first. I was at a friend's house once and went to change my son without even thinking twice. As I was setting up on the floor my friend said "you're welcome to use our baby's changing table in her bedroom" I took it as them trying to be nice and offer as if it might be easier on me so I said "no, that's ok I'm fine". I realized later that they ALWAYS changed their baby on the changing table when at home because of cleanliness. I felt like such an idiot afterwards, but because I was so used to doing it anywhere I didn't even think twice.

Good luck,
K.

Most parents who have younger children will understand if you change your baby on the floor, you were already there anyway and it's safe there and you won't have to worry about her falling off a table etc. If I am a guest at a friends home, I usually ask them where a good place would be to change to the baby, that way you don't have to worry about where to change the baby or upsetting your friends.

I have 2 girls and to be honest it never occured to me to ask where to change them! If we were at a party at a friends house then I would go in the bedroom or something but that was just cause thats where their diapers bags were! Now im wondering if people thought me rude for not asking or changing them in front of everyone.

I don't think you need to cover anything, but it's always good manners to ask, "Is there a place where I can change her?" Then they can ask you to go to the bathroom if they are uncomfortable, or just say wherever if they really don't care. I always do this because I'm worried that they might be grossed out to have a baby changed in certain rooms - private parts never occurred to me.

If anything just ask if they mind you changing her in front of everyone. I do it because it needs to be done... really what other places are a better option besides someone's bedroom floor? I won't change my baby on someone else's bed because not all diapers are the cleanest even with protection between them and the bed. I really don't feel like paying for dry cleaning on a comforter. I agree... anybody who has children have all been there and for the most part they don't mind. Children are more curious as to what's in the diaper rather than body parts. I think what you did isn't frowned upon or out of the norm at all.

A simple, "Do you mind if I changer her here, or should I do it somewhere else?" is all you need.

I think it is perfectly fine to change her where you were , the boy is old enough to understand that girls and boys are different (he has a sister after all). As they are family I see no problem with changing her on the living room floor , if I am in someone's house (a friend for example) then I ask if they mind me changing my daughter where I am or do they have a changing table they would rather I used.

I think it's more of an issue of the "gross-out" factor than a modesty factor. I don't think most people are comfortable with bodily-function related experiences baby-wise unless the baby is theirs. LOL

We do and frankly the way I feel is if they are uncomfortable then dont watch! Sorry that might sound rude but thats how I feel! If the baby needs changed and thats the easiest way then do it! Also I didnt see that they were so scared to do it with their boy (you didnt mention that), but maybe bc their daughter was their first then they were a little more protective I know I was. Just dont do it around strangers, people you know are creapy or anyone you feel uncomfortable with/or around your daughter!

Well, I don't think it's any big deal for a 10 year old boy to see a baby girl naked, but I would have asked the adults whose house you were visiting if they minded me changing my baby on their living room floor.

If he's 10, he might still be a post-shower streaker, so he probably wouldn't think anything of it. There is no reason to teach children that their bodies are inappropriate, just that some parts are private. I would not make a big deal out of a baby's nudity because there is NOTHING inappropriate about a baby's privates, nothing to be modest about, and nothing wrong with changing her. If you're really unsure, just make sure the boy's parents did not have to smooth over awkwardness.

I have only ever been uncomortable changing my kids in a very public place (park, etc.). If our next baby is a girl and my boys notice she is "missing" something, they are going to be learning the correct information about her body rather than thinking there is some big secret to discover. Again, if you have to be discreet, it is out of courtesy to the older child, not to protect a baby's modesty from family. There are sick and creepy people out there in the world, but I'm sure not a 10-year-old boy who is practically family.

If I was in this situation I would ask where I could change her. I would do it for my child's privacy not for whatever anyone else thinks. I'm a bit of a prude and a neat freak I only change my child's diaper in her bedroom. Even at my mother's house or MILs it's in a bedroom. Has nothing to do with anyone else it's me who doesn't want to change her in front of everyone.

I think if you are at someone else's home, it's more appropriate to ask what other room you can go to to change the baby's diaper.
If I was at my mom's or sister's house, I would change my babies on the floor or wherever, but not if there were a bunch of other people around for a holiday gathering or anything.
There's nothing wrong with a naked baby, but just whipping a diaper off in front of everyone wouldn't have been appropriate, in my opinion.
My neice has twins and she doesn't change her kids in her own house in front of a bunch of people.
We all know that babies pee and poop in their diapers and we all know they need to be changed, but we don't all just sit around and pee and poop in front of each other. When you're potty training your daughter, would you take her potty chair with you and put it in someone's living room for her to use while everyone watched? I would hope not.
I doubt anyone was actually harmed by seeing your baby get changed. My kids are 10 years apart so by 10, my daughter knew everything there was to know about little boy parts. But, that was her little brother. She saw everything there was to see from minute one. She even changed his diapers. So in that sense, there's nothing wrong with baby parts. But, changing diapers in front of other people might not be taken as casually as you take it. Especially while you are at their house.
No offense to anyone, but the attitude of, "If you don't like it, don't watch...."
That's kind of brazen, in my opinion, to just do what you want, where you want in someone else's home.
It's not the end of the world, but I think it's polite to ask where you can go to excuse yourself to change a diaper.
Again, just my opinion.

If I was at someone's house, I usually go to another room, ask to go to a bedroom, etc. Mainly if I knew that it was a bad one then I could take care of it without offending the noses of everyone else.

If I'm in public, then I try to go somewhere out of the way, but it comes down to a function that needs to be done. Everyone went through it, so if someone is offended, they can just get over it.

M.

I would not worry about it, I mean I changed my sons on a train in Germany, let them run around castle grounds bare butted in England, and changed their diaper in front of plenty of girls. As long as they where in diapers I never considered it a big deal. Once they went into undies I started teaching them about modesty. I am sure the 10 year old boy never thought anything of it.

I would say that it depends a lot on your family values and personal levels of modesty. We have a very open family where we feel that nudity is natural and not inherently "bad" but also recognize that culturally there are levels of acceptability and that different people have different levels of modesty. Personally, I wouldn't think twice about changing my baby girls in front of friends and relatives regardless of age or gender but then again I'm pretty sure most of them share my position. If I thought it were going to bother someone else I might go to a different room, as I would with public nursing. I have no shame about it and think it's fine and natural but I also don't have a problem with being sensitive to others who are more modest.

It doesn't matter whose house I am at, family or friends, I ask where they prefer I change my baby at. Although I don't keep her "covered", I usually use modesty when changing her.

Even if the 10 year old boy didn't seem to be bothered, you really don't know if he was. Why put other children in a position to be uncomfortable when it can be avoided if you use a little bit of modesty when changing your baby?

Now at home, I change my daughter on the sofa if that's where we are. If we have company over, I excuse myself and change the baby in her room. That is just the polite thing to do.

.

I think it's completely appropriate but what's more important is what the people involved think. If I were in the situation, I would just ask casually real quick before starting the diaper change. I'd say something like, "does anyone mind if I just change her right here or is there another place you'd prefer I do it?" If you're close to this family, you could always ask them about it now so you'd know their feelings for future similar situations.

I agree with everyone who has posted about positive body image, baby nakedness being ok, and respecting the wishes of the hosts if you are a guest. However, I do have one piece to add. There are entirely too many pedophiles in this world that look just like you and me. It's a very disturbing thought, but a stranger walking by might "enjoy" it if you change their diaper in full view. Therefore, I don't change my children's diapers in public. If we are somewhere that I know everyone I think it's ok.

To solve the problem of having to put a child on the floor of a public bathroom I use the toilet seat covers. Usually 4-5 of them overlapping on the floor to ensure no gaps that would lead to actually touching the floor. I, of course, only do this when I can't find another acceptable place to change.

S.

if your friends are uncomfortable with you changing the baby in front of their child, or for that matter anyone. then, yes, pick up the child and change them in the other room. i never change my baby where her whatzit can be publicly viewed. these days, you never know if some creepy guy may have a hidden camera and some twisted ideas about little babies. when i do have to change her in a public bathroom, i stand directly over her, blocking the view completely,with my back to the door.creeps aside, your typical ten year old boy is not going to be comfortable seeing a little girl get her pants changed.
K. h.

I don't think that the 10 year old boy would even notice. If he did, it would be in a "oh. So that's what a girl baby looks like" kind of way. I don't think that is a bad thing.
I would, however, have taken her into the other room to change her. Not because of modesty, but because it's kinda gross. Honestly, now that I don't have to change diapers anymore, I don't want to have anything to do with any other baby's poo/pee. It just seems more polite to take care of "business" in another room. If someone wants to go along to watch, well that's that then.

When in doubt go for modest....

I have changed mine in various different places. I generally do take them to a bathroom if we are in a public place. However I there are some places that do not have a changing place in the restroom, so unless you are comfortable lying your baby on the floor in a bathroom, you should find an alternative. When at someone's house just ask, and I highly doubt there are any people out there who have not ever used the floor to change their baby, whether at home or out.
About the modesty, if you are okay with it then don't stress it. When I had my daughter one of her uncles used to freak about seeing her in just a diaper, now that he has kids, he couldn't care less! It is not a bad thing for other kids especially boys to know about baby care, but like I said you can always ask if they are comfortable with it.

I don't really think it has to do with covering her private area and being modest. She's just a baby. I think it is more of cleanliness issue and people may prefer not to watch a baby getting a diaper change.

When my kids were in diapers I would either move off to the side for a wet diaper, or if it was a dirty diaper to another room. Making sure to use a changing pad so as not to accidentally get something dirty. Or if you haven't been to the house before ask them if there is somewhere they would prefer you do diaper changes.

I have three children of my own and I always take them into the bathroom to change their diapers at someone elses home or in public. Not only is it a dirty thing to do on someone's floor it is also not something everyone wants to see. My sisters always change their children wherever they want in my house and I have never said anything. They don't think that it is weird at all. I personally think that diaper changing should be in a restroom especially if you are unsure of what the people around you may think of it.

I would say that it is so okay and not a big deal at all! I love it when my LO runs around naked, she is 17 mo and yells naked baby and runs too cute. but serisously.....if we show them shame or teach them shame they will learn shame. if you want her to grow to love her body and have a good body image then show her it is okay. when she gets older THEN you can have a talk about being private and modisty so for the sake of others in the room not her bc by then she will be happy and love her body LOL. I would personally since there was a 10 year old of the opposite sex that might not know about girl parts yet, just ask his parents if it is okay to change her to be polite so he does not ask questions they are not ready for yet....but otherwise than that......naked baby time!

I don't think it is a problem if it is very close friends or family. What worries me on here is the mom's that do it so openly in public. There really are sicko's out there...why would you even give them a chance to see or worse take a picture. We have to worry about pedifiles...even when it is "baby nakedness". I never used the changing stations. I would go in the handicap stall and change them in the stroller. I just reclined the stroller as much as i could. (or on the seat of my car)

I am by no means an overprotective mother....just making sure i don't give any weirdo a chance to see my child.

I'm with you that baby nakedness is not a big deal. That being said, I am into respecting others, who may have different comfort zones than me. When in a truely public place (like the mall, a resaurant, the airport) I seek out the restroom, most of which are equiped with a baby changing station. When I am in someone's home (relative or not), I simply ask them where they prefer that I change the baby. Some friends have simply said "where-ever" in which case I chose the floor. Some people have a specific place in their home. I change my child in the same place in our home, simply because it is easier to keep all the diapers/ointments/wipes in one place and take the child there, at least for us. If someone else feels like changing their child on my livingroom floor, that is ok too. But everyone has a different comfort zone. I expect others to respect me in my home and I try my best to be respectful of other's comfort in their homes.

So basically, if I were in your shoes I would just ask their preferences first.

Good luck!!

Wow. You've got a lot of responses. As to changing a diaper at someone's house, I always go to the bathroom because that's where it belongs. As to the nudity, though, I have no problem with naked babies seen by kids/teens -- even of the opposite sex.

Simply as your hosts if there is someplace they'd like you to change her, and let them call the shots.