Changing a crappy nappy in public.

[flip-flop]

At lunchtime today I nipped in to my local shopping precinct and passed a woman changing her child's sh1tty nappy on a bench.

The stench was breathtaking - when she finished she bundled up the crappy nappy and threw it in the bin next to her - not in a nappy sack I hasten to add.

Behind her, and by behind her I mean 10 yards away at the most, there was a baby changing room.

Is it just me or does anybody else find this unacceptable?

Personally, I found it the height of laziness.

[redcrx]

Having had to change my son on a park bench because the changing room at the zoo was smeared in cr@p i can understand why in some situations a mother would have to use a bench. I did everything i could to cover him up and prevent people seeing though.
I certainly wouldnt have thrown a nappy like that into a normal bin. If no sanitary bin around it would go into a nappy bag (carrier bag if necessary) and taken hom to dispose of properly.
If the changing room is clean then use it, its got to be easier than a bench at the end of the day, but not if the room is filthier than a bench.

[Pippa68]

I agree with redcrx ~ the only time I have ever used a public place has been when the toilets or changing rooms aren't usable due to mess. I certainly wouldn't change a nappy in a filthy area...I wouldn't use an eating area at all (breastfeeding yes, nappy changing ~ loos!).

I remember taking nappies home with me in the nappy sacks to dispose of at home.

[Madgirl2]

I was on a bus recently and a woman changed her baby's nappy right in the middle of the bus. People were tutting and generally disgusted by this. I could have forgiven her if the baby was distressed as a result of a dirty nappy but he was as happy as larry. Surely it could have waited?

[saxy_jag]

I was on a small internal flight in the USA when a father had to do this on the seat in front of me. The toilet on the plane wasn't working and was too small in any case. However, the father did have the decency to check with fellow passengers that it was OK to do so, and apologised afterwards. Everything was as discreet as he could make it, and the stewardess very kindly took away the bagged-up nappy for them.

So it can be done.

[scoobydooby]

Interesting points of view here. I have a friend who similarly thinks changing babies dirty nappies in public is disgusting. However, that same friend has two cats who deposit their waste in other people's gardens!! Before anyone says 'that's what cats do - it can't be helped' I'd like to point out that cats can be trained from a very young age to go to the toilet ONLY in a litter tray. Slightly different I know but I'd be interested to know how many people, who are offended by a dirty nappy, have cats or dogs who poo in public places or other people's property? Yes she could have used a nappy sack I agree but then again she could have been one of the many mums struggling to get her shopping done with baby in tow - sleepness night, teething etc etc. and simply forgot to pack them. Most disposable nappies are designed to fold up after use so that nothing leaks anyway.

[sarahjanewil]

I agree with scoobydoo. The amount of times I see dogs poo on the path is disgusting. At least the mum had the decency to put the nappy in the bin, even if it was without a nappy sack - unlike some pet owners who just leave the poo anywhere.

[WendyS]

Maybe it was an emergency which is undertandable, but if there was a baby changing room so close, perhaps you could have gone upto her and pointed this out and asked her to remove the crappy nappy from the bin?. If we don't challenge unacceptable behaviour, some people are so ignorant that they don't even know their behaviour is causing offence.