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Topic: New Mom inconsiderate at my house?
SweetnFunny's photo
Wed 02/04/09 10:26 PM
I have a friend who had her first baby in Nov. I'm glad for her and am trying to be supportive as she adjusts to the new changes in her life. Whenever she comes to visit, though, I cringe. She'll change her baby's diaper wherever. My kitchen table, the antique buffet in the livingroom, she's even changed her baby's diaper on my bed. It just seems so...ick! Any place that I prepare food or lay my head should be off limits to diaper changes, shouldn't it? I haven't said anything to her about how it makes me feel. The only thing I've done so far is to put towels down over any surface that she picks....and then do some extra cleaning after she leaves.
I don't know if I'm being a paranoid germaphobe or if she's being inconsiderate. I don't have any children. I don't know what the etiquette is for this... Would it be out of line for me to suggest she put a blanket on the livingroom floor (thicker carpet) and change her daughter there?
Any helpful tips from the parents out there would be greatly appreciated!

Winx's photo
Wed 02/04/09 10:29 PM
Does she bring a changing pad with her?

SweetnFunny's photo
Wed 02/04/09 10:35 PM
No, I haven't seen her use one yet.
(lol, now I have a new gift idea for her. A giant box of changing pads.:tongue: )

Winx's photo
Wed 02/04/09 10:40 PM

No, I haven't seen her use one yet.
(lol, now I have a new gift idea for her. A giant box of changing pads.:tongue: )


I had several of them. They fold right into the diaper bag and they're washable. That baby shouldn't be laying anywhere that isn't a changing table without one.

Another thing. It's your house. She's your friend. Why don't you pick a spot that you're okay with her doing that? Then tell her that makes you more comfortable. I've used the floor and bed at people's houses - with a changing pad.

Hmmm...now that I think about it, if there was an accident - the kitchen table would be the easiest to clean. But..I don't know if I could do that.


SweetnFunny's photo
Wed 02/04/09 10:46 PM
Thanks Winx, I'll try that. :smile:

ReddBeans's photo
Wed 02/04/09 11:03 PM
I always asked where would be a good place for me to change the baby. But that's just me. Winx had some really good suggestions. I would just politely ask her would u mind changin the baby ...... wherever it is u decide is the appropriate place.

I agree with u on one thing. I wouldn't want someone changin their baby on my dining table or kitchen counter. UGH! Besides the baby could fall and get seriously hurt.

SweetnFunny's photo
Wed 02/04/09 11:13 PM
Thanks ReddBeans. flowerforyou I appreciate the feedback from both you and Winx.
Yeah I've had that thought, too, about the baby's safety. *shudders* That would be one heck of a fall.

Winx's photo
Wed 02/04/09 11:21 PM
Good luck. Yep, that falling thought makes me glad that I didn't put my baby on the kitchen table. lol Okay - floor it is.laugh

ReddBeans's photo
Thu 02/05/09 12:37 AM
I would hope she's at least considerate enough to put the dirty diaper in a little shoppin bag and tie it up before she puts it in ur trash can. I always kept them in the diaper bag just for that use.

no photo
Thu 02/05/09 05:03 AM
I always ask where a good place is to do that... Ditto the shopping bag thing, too. :D

I like the suggestions already given. :D


MsCarmen's photo
Thu 02/05/09 05:26 AM
Wow, I have never or even considered changing my child on a kitchen table. That's just wrong! ill

I have changed it on a bed, couch, in the crib, or on the changing table. And those changing pads do work great!

Winx's photo
Thu 02/05/09 05:41 AM

Wow, I have never or even considered changing my child on a kitchen table. That's just wrong! ill

I have changed it on a bed, couch, in the crib, or on the changing table. And those changing pads do work great!


Can we have car in there too? I've done that.laugh

MsCarmen's photo
Thu 02/05/09 05:45 AM


Wow, I have never or even considered changing my child on a kitchen table. That's just wrong! ill

I have changed it on a bed, couch, in the crib, or on the changing table. And those changing pads do work great!


Can we have car in there too? I've done that.laugh


Oops, yep done that too! laugh

SweetnFunny's photo
Thu 02/05/09 10:01 AM

I would hope she's at least considerate enough to put the dirty diaper in a little shoppin bag and tie it up before she puts it in ur trash can. I always kept them in the diaper bag just for that use.


No, she doesn't do that. Great idea though! I think I'll have some handy for her next time she visits. Maybe just me handing her a bag (the first couple of times)right after she changes the baby will start a pattern.

lilith401's photo
Thu 02/05/09 10:05 AM
Hmmm. The easiest solution would be to offer to change the baby's diaper yourself and then you can do it where ever you want to.

Here is a thought~
Ever used the restroom and not washed your hands? Has company ever used your restroom and not washed their hands?

Where a baby gets changed is not as unsanitary as you think. The baby doesn't even touch the floor or surface in question. There are wipes involved too.

But it is not at all rude to dictate what goes on in your house. You live there... it is your kingdom!

lilith401's photo
Thu 02/05/09 10:07 AM
My dad and I took my son to a little circus place... if you bend over you can use your back as a changing table. :tongue:

Other places I've changed diapers, in addition to the list:
car trunk/hood
civic center chair
standing him up on my lap....
and just about anywhere and everywhere I ever went, including in his stroller.

PacificStar48's photo
Thu 02/05/09 06:26 PM
I am dissappointed when I hear things like this.

I have noticed that many young parents have completely skipped the concept of carrying a diaper bag to meet their babies needs while dragging around extreamly young infants whereever.

As a mother I think you have every right to ask your friend to change her infant in your bathroom and dispose of the diaper in a sealed container.
In reality you will be doing her a favor because a parent who diapers in the bathroom has a much easier time potty training a child.

The likelyhood that she will be offended and consider you uptight is highly likely. Might actually end the friendship which you might want to consider if this is a close neighbor or and a dear friend who sees your home like her own.

New parents seem to think that it is such a privilege to see their offspring that you should endure turning your entire home into a toilet like many who pull the same stunt in a resturant booths or other equally obnoxious locations until their friends shun them often enough they figure it out.

Some never catch on and use the same bad parenting techniques as their child goes from toddler to teen demolishing your home everytime they come through the door. If you are not up for eating the expense of a stained bedspread, sofa, or carpet, and endureing the smell through out your home includeing where you eat, then by all means speak up.

Unless you are this woman's Mother or the Godmother to this child I don't think she will honor your advice and you have a tough choice to make about continueing the friendship. Whatever you say she is likely to take as you saying she is a bad mother. You might just want to avoid the whole situation and stop having her as a guest.


PacificStar48's photo
Thu 02/05/09 06:37 PM

Hmmm. The easiest solution would be to offer to change the baby's diaper yourself and then you can do it where ever you want to.

Here is a thought~
Ever used the restroom and not washed your hands? Has company ever used your restroom and not washed their hands?

Where a baby gets changed is not as unsanitary as you think. The baby doesn't even touch the floor or surface in question. There are wipes involved too.

But it is not at all rude to dictate what goes on in your house. You live there... it is your kingdom!


I do not believe it is anyones responsibility as a hostess to change my infants diaper.

Not unsanitary? You are kidding right? Fecal matter wheather it is adult or infant is NOT sanitary and if anyone thinks they can change their infant and still have clean hands is either doing a lousy job of changeing the infant or is deludeing themselves. You should ALWAYS wash your hands throughly after changing your baby for the baby's sake and everyone else.

SweetnFunny's photo
Fri 02/06/09 02:26 AM


Hmmm. The easiest solution would be to offer to change the baby's diaper yourself and then you can do it where ever you want to.

Here is a thought~
Ever used the restroom and not washed your hands? Has company ever used your restroom and not washed their hands?

Where a baby gets changed is not as unsanitary as you think. The baby doesn't even touch the floor or surface in question. There are wipes involved too.

But it is not at all rude to dictate what goes on in your house. You live there... it is your kingdom!


I do not believe it is anyones responsibility as a hostess to change my infants diaper.

Not unsanitary? You are kidding right? Fecal matter wheather it is adult or infant is NOT sanitary and if anyone thinks they can change their infant and still have clean hands is either doing a lousy job of changeing the infant or is deludeing themselves. You should ALWAYS wash your hands throughly after changing your baby for the baby's sake and everyone else.


Well said. Thank you PacificStar48. flowerforyou

SweetnFunny's photo
Fri 02/06/09 02:41 AM

I am dissappointed when I hear things like this.

I have noticed that many young parents have completely skipped the concept of carrying a diaper bag to meet their babies needs while dragging around extreamly young infants whereever.

As a mother I think you have every right to ask your friend to change her infant in your bathroom and dispose of the diaper in a sealed container.
In reality you will be doing her a favor because a parent who diapers in the bathroom has a much easier time potty training a child.

The likelyhood that she will be offended and consider you uptight is highly likely. Might actually end the friendship which you might want to consider if this is a close neighbor or and a dear friend who sees your home like her own.

New parents seem to think that it is such a privilege to see their offspring that you should endure turning your entire home into a toilet like many who pull the same stunt in a resturant booths or other equally obnoxious locations until their friends shun them often enough they figure it out.

Some never catch on and use the same bad parenting techniques as their child goes from toddler to teen demolishing your home everytime they come through the door. If you are not up for eating the expense of a stained bedspread, sofa, or carpet, and endureing the smell through out your home includeing where you eat, then by all means speak up.

Unless you are this woman's Mother or the Godmother to this child I don't think she will honor your advice and you have a tough choice to make about continueing the friendship. Whatever you say she is likely to take as you saying she is a bad mother. You might just want to avoid the whole situation and stop having her as a guest.




Great food for for thought, thank you. :smile:

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