It cannot get any crazier, than changing your baby on the floor of a crusty, nasty bathroom floor because the men's bathroom does not accommodate dads! Recently dad, Chris Mau, posted on Facebook about having to do the very same thing. It's a huge problem. If it's the law in the United States that men's bathrooms must be equipped with a baby changing table why are locations lagging behind?? Children should not be changed on the floor of a crusty bathroom!
Many men have this issue. If nursing rooms can become more normalized for pumping moms on the go why can't a changing table be added to a men's bathroom for dads traveling out and about and has to manage an infant in place of mom?
In October 2018, Florida father Donte Palmer found himself in this same problematic situation. He shared a photo of himself having traveled out with his little one, then found himself in a men’s restroom struggling to change his son’s diaper without a table. The incident put the need for changing tables in men’s bathrooms to the forefront.
Fast forward about a year later, Donte's story landed him a partnership with Pamers and singer/father John Legend to fill the need. “When I first took the picture, it was something I posted in my own frustrations,” He told People magazine. “I just posted it for my family and friends. I never expected for it to get this big." But big it has gotten and there is no going back.
Palmer founded the grassroots movement Squat for Change with his wife Lakeisha Palmer in order to guarantee that every family member has access to a clean and safe changing table. After seeing this, Pampers asked Palmer to collaborate with them to install 5,000 changing tables in men's restrooms across the United States and Canada by 2021.
Starting with "high-need public locations" including Philadelphia, Dallas, and Detroit, Pampers later unveiled the new effort in a statement from the firm.
John Legend himself also followed up with a supportive Instagram dad post saying, "Most dads have been there: you’re out with your kids & there's no place to change their diaper. In honor of Father’s Day, @PampersUS is providing 5,000 Koala Kare changing tables in public restrooms. Finally, no more diaper duty on your lap!"
The presence of a baby changing table in men's restrooms for dads who travel with mom is definitely a huge step in the right direction to becoming baby-friendly. It shows that both parents share the responsibility of changing diapers. However, for this gesture to be effective, the changing table should be placed in a private stall or corner. It is important for comfort basic decency to have a private area to change a baby's diaper and provide privacy for the child.
Dads should have the option to cordon themselves off from others while changing a diaper. Without this privacy, fathers may feel uncomfortable and discouraged from using the changing table. A private area is essential for the changing table to be truly useful in a men's restroom.
TIME FOR ACTION: To sideline this challenge Moms Pump Here has been open for the submission of #DadFriendly locations. So if you are a dad out with his children and find a location with a suitable changing table please submit it to our locator. If you are at a location that doesn't have a changing table submit it! We have a ratings and review system that allows users to rate locations. Tell other dads where they can and cannot find changing tables.