Diaper changing

[PaulaScott]

I have a question for those of you with older kids who are still in diapers: what do you do about changing them in public. Like if your child is desperate for a change while you are in a resturant or store or on a road trip. We used to head to the restroom, but Em has outgrown the changing tables and I am grossed out by the idea of changing her on the floor, particularly in gas stations.

I've been changing her in the front passenger seat in the van, but am afraid that someone will say something about indecent exposure. Also, the seat is a pretty small and in the winter, it gets a bit chilly on her nether regions. We have a mini van which is full with two carseats, a booster and the KidKart.

So, what do you do? If I let her stay wet, she screams, so not changing her is not acceptable.

Thanks!

[Heather]

I don't know, because Aidan is still small for his age and we can still use baby changing tables, carseats and such. I've thought about this question, in anticipation. Maybe we'll carry along a drop cloth for restroom floors?:eek:
I'm amazed how blase we've already become about things like emergency dealing with the G-tube, in public. I'm sure it grosses people out, or even frightens strangers, when we suddenly have to expose Aidan's g-tube button and reinsert the connector, or vent the tube, after a valve opens and leaks his stomache contents!:o
I've seen mothers noisily suction their vented kids in public and that's gross, but I know they've just become used to doing what needs to be done too.:(
We lead differnt lives.

[LIZARD]

I've been changing her in the front passenger seat in the van, but am afraid that someone will say something about indecent exposure.

In this case, you might just try to shield her and if anyone comments, say something like, "She has severe developmental disabilities and must wear diapers. I'm happy for you that you don't have to deal with this issue and would thank you to mind your own business." What a crock. :mad: Drew wasn't fully trained until he was about 6, and I would get all kinds of looks from women about bringing him into the women's rest room and changing him. It was not a battle I wanted to have to deal with, so if someone got snotty with me, I'd retort back. Life isn't always completely normal, and people with nothing better to do than give us a hard time should be put in their place, IM(not so)HO.


LIZARD :rolleyes: :o

[wheeliebird]

Most places like Walmart have those "family" bathrooms now where its a whole other room that you can go into. They are really nice for situations like this, you could go in there and lay Em down somewhere and change her. If you can't find them then I'm not sure. Good Luck Hon! :)

Robin

[Mother's Heart]

When mine got too big for the changing table, and for the diaper bag changing mat) I started hauling around some kindermats in the car
and using the accessible stall in the bathroom. On the floor is not my favorite thing, but it was that or the car, and you are right....too difficult to manage privacy in some situations and waaaaaaaay too nippy for sensitive young parts in the winter! It always seems that when you 'take a chance' that you can get it done before somebody walks up on you that it doesn't work. Kind of a murphy's law, methinks.

I remember a time or two putting the kindermat on the hood of the car when we were in rural territory and desperate because he was too big to manage on the seat of the car.

[Tamie]

You might try putting sanitary pads or liners within the diaper to extend the life of its use. We have used them with Tyler and it seems to help. He is as tall as I am and weighs 80 lbs, so putting him on the floor anywhere and then trying to get him back up into his chair is not an option.

[Tracy Sheppard]

We use the Huggies Goodnight Pull ups that go up to 175 lbs. That way i can put the clean one on her up to the old one, then tear the sides away and no one can see a thing. very discreet. If we are in the vehicle, I put her on the floor of the van or in the back seat. You may want to keep a pillowcase or towel that you can roll the window down a smidge and then back up and have your own little curtain. With Megs being almost 12, we have done the pull up thing for many years now and it is so discreet. I know she feels so much more dignified when we do it this way. With the pullups you can even change (not real easily, but it can be done) while in their wheelchair. I will do the same thing pull the new pull up, up as far as i can, kind of lift her up a little tear the old one and pull the new one up, and it can be done in a wheelchair stall in the bathroom.
Good luck deary.....
Tracy

[Carly'sMa]

We have tined windows on the minivan. So, I lay Carly down on the middle seat to change her. No one can see inside the van. I've also reclined the seat as far as possible to change her. Unfortunately it isn't fully flat and Carly keeps trying to sit up!

My back aches from changing her this way.

If she has her AFOs on I can stand her up in the bathroom. But, I never can get the diaper on straight. So, there are gaps sometimes and she is likely to wet through to her pants.

[Denae]

There have been times with Riley that I just do it.. she has long been to big for the tables, even when she was little she was terrified of being up on them, so in the van, or a corner of a store with a sister holding up a jacket or her blankie. Most of the time the employees have been understanding and helpful. Places like Target, or the mall we use the large dressing rooms..

I don't know what to do when she gets any bigger and starts to care who she flashes. :o

Her new chair lays back so we can leave her in it to change her too. The old one didn't...

[jenna]

oh, my god, this is exactly what our problem is when we go out. We don't even have a van, we have a little jetta, we are still trying to change him in the car but it is just getting nearly impossible.
Even when I take him to our local YMCA, I feel wired changing him in the locker room, cuz I feel like people are looking at me. Luckly, I found out there are "family changing room" for disabled kids/adults right by the pool, so last week, I started using that room instead of the woman's locker room.

I think I am going to take Tracy's advise and get the pull ups, cuz Jake can stand while holding onto something, but I can never get the diapers on right with him standing, so a pull up should work better. oh god..the things we have to think about the solve..But if and when we get a van, I am going to tint the windows.. I have to for the future.

I have one other major issue. Jake is peeing in the potty during the day when I take him, but if I forget or if he has to go before I take him, he just goes in the diaper. OK, for now, I am not even going to stress over about that. But almost each morning, he wakes up with diaper (not even completely wet, just a little bit in the front/top area), but his pants, blankets would be soaking wet. We tried Luvs, Huggies, I even tried to put an insert into the diaper, but nothing helps. Do you have any suggestion for that?

[momster]

Does Emily stand? I know it's a little tough to do a good job standing, but we always found that we could get my son clean enough standing in the handicapped stall. The back of our mini van also folded flat. In the cold weather he and I would just climb on in the back...............

Good luck!!!


- momster

[just laurie]

But almost each morning, he wakes up with diaper (not even completely wet, just a little bit in the front/top area), but his pants, blankets would be soaking wet. We tried Luvs, Huggies, I even tried to put an insert into the diaper, but nothing helps. Do you have any suggestion for that?

With my boys, I always check to make sure they are aiming down in their diaper. Aim them up and they squirt out the top rendering the diaper quite useless.

Laurie

[Tylersmom]

With Ty I also pull the goodnight up to the old one then rip the old one off.

Does her stroller recline flat? If so could you take it in a wheelchair stall and lay her flat in it?

Ok now I have a question since we are on this. Ty is now 7. How do you handle a boy when you are in the restroom if they dont have the family restrooms if you are by yourself with them? And I also have to help him in the stall withi his pullups and cathing. I am starting to feel very awkward.

[Mother's Heart]

Hey Ty's mom. I was going to start this aspect of the subject too. How about we start a new thread about taking opposite gender kiddo's into public restrooms?

I have a couple of comments/questions on this but have no more time to post until later this afternoon. back later.
cj

[Tylersmom]

Sounds good.

[PaulaScott]

Thank you all for your input! It helps. And I didn't realize how much of an issue this is.

Um, let's see. Em doesn't stand at all so changing her standing up is not an option (wish it was -- it would be amazing to see her stand!).

Our minivan is full of carseats, so I hav nowhere in the van to lay her besides the front seat if I don't unload the back to lay her there. The middle row is taken up by her seat and Mary's and the back row has Dale's booster and the KidKart. I have taken out the KK to change her there, but on a road trip this doesn't work out because of all the other junk that is back there (suitcases, feeding pump, etc.) Unfortunately, her current KidKart is configured to have these hip things that leave her seat very narrow. Maybe the new Zippie will be different. Can't change in the car seat either because she has the hip adductor thingie in her Britax Traveller.

The places I have the hardest time in don't have family bathrooms such as fast food resturants and gas stations. We travel to St. Louis at least every few months, if not more often, to see her doctors. This is usually a 3 hour trip and I stop halfway for gas, cofffe and/or food, diaper change, etc. Same for the trip to see the ILs (coming up in a couple of weeks), usually a 5 hour trip.


I guess that I will toss one of my homemade Chux pads in the diaper bag and use that in an emergency. That thing weighs a ton now.

Thanks for all the input!

[cckids]

. But almost each morning, he wakes up with diaper (not even completely wet, just a little bit in the front/top area), but his pants, blankets would be soaking wet. Do you have any suggestion for that?

We finally figured this out due to using video monitoring. Whiel sleeping, our son frequently put his hands down the front of hsi pullu-up just stashing his hands there. We used to pin or tape his PJ top and bottom together and make sure the parts are pointing down and the problem was solved.

[Bec]

Paula, I, too, was going to suggest you have her stand if that was an option. :( Bummer.

The other day I was in a toilet changing Spencer. He can stand. There was a Mom with a very small child that needed a change. She looked a bit desperate since they didn't have a changing table. I helped her make a bed of the sani-seats and paper towels so her child had someplace clean to lay on the floor. We talked about how gross it was to have your child lay on the floor. It was the best we could come up with.

[wheeliebird]

Paula, I, too, was going to suggest you have her stand if that was an option. :( Bummer.

The other day I was in a toilet changing Spencer. He can stand. There was a Mom with a very small child that needed a change. She looked a bit desperate since they didn't have a changing table. I helped her make a bed of the sani-seats and paper towels so her child had someplace clean to lay on the floor. We talked about how gross it was to have your child lay on the floor. It was the best we could come up with.


Bec, What a great person you are to help that lady with her child. :) Human kindness, you don't see enough of that anymore! ;)

[Firewing]

I have never thought about this, but I will have to soon. Tehya is getting really big!!! She weighs 34-35 pounds and is 35 inches long. She wont fit on the front seat forever.:)

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

Paula~

It sounds like the pull up will work, even though Em is laying down when you change her. So, Tracy's method would work and would eliminate the concern for exposure.

When I traveled with my boys, when they were young, I used to look for parks, or grassy areas (in good weather) to lay out a blanket and change their diapers. In inclement weather, the car is the only option. I would rather do that, with the possibility of someone noticing as they pass by, than lay my child down on a public bathroom floor, even with protection. But, I'm also over the top about germs...that's just me (NOT criticizing anyone else for doing this and would do it myself in a dire emergency). Plus, the floor is hard!

If you have room in your car, you could carry a bag of oversized underpads to use under Em when you change her.

Good luck!

Love & Light,
Rose

PS: Tracy ~ Do these pull ups actually fit up to 175 pounds? If so, where were they when my boys were teens and young men, before adult diapers were invented? :D Man, I could have used those then!!! :D

[Tracy Sheppard]

Rose,
The Extra Large ones fit large 125lbs+.....Megs is still in the S/M and they are wonderful and very absorbant. They have been great for us....

[PaulaScott]

I'll have to think about it. I don't like to use disposables anymore than I have to as they make her so sore. I react the same way to disposable feminine products and can't use them anymore either. I'll see what I can figure out.

I think that I will continue changing her in the van -- hopefully I can figure how to lay her out a little better.

Thanks again!

[ChasesMom]

OMG - we totally have this same problem - Now that my little chunky monkey is 51 pounds - It's **** trying to change him anywhere - ANotehr issue we have is that it's so much he peees all the time - it's when he does it's like 1000cc's so it soaks everything - And we currently double up with the Curity sleeppants and the kendall peach diapers on at all times. But when he pees - he soaks everything!! SO it's a total clothes change as well as a diaper change - honestly its been something that's really difficult to deal with as I am not comfortable changing him in public restrooms (omg I am completely germaphobic since our last yr). SO basically we are staying home more than we would and I don't see that changing in the very near future - heck changing him at home is a chore just lifting that fatty fanny up and holding him up and trying to tug on the pull up and then try to get the diaper on without tearing off the tabs and man does that suck. I wish I had a little bitty portable tent I could just throw up anywhere to change his diaper - now woudln't that be a freaking hoot!

[sociologygeek]

Reading these stories evokes my sympathy. I am incontient, but thankfully i am mobile, and can change whilist standing up in a public stall. I do try to avoid changing in public due to the embarassment factor.. but sometimes it is necessary.

While this wouldn't help for public situations, here's one idea for you parents who have an incontinent son/daughter who's also immobile:

http://www.rifton.com/products/hygiene/supportstation/index.html

This allows for upright diaper changes, easing strain and stresso n the parent, and puts the person needing a change in a dignified position. Cost is a bit steep, but it may be able to be billed as durable medical equipment thru insurance condtion.

Hmm, as far as changing in public for someone whos immobile.. that's a tough one, especailly if they are adult-size. Gonna have to give that one some thought..

catch ya later!

[sociologygeek]

OMG - we totally have this same problem - Now that my little chunky monkey is 51 pounds - It's **** trying to change him anywhere - ANotehr issue we have is that it's so much he peees all the time - it's when he does it's like 1000cc's so it soaks everything - And we currently double up with the Curity sleeppants and the kendall peach diapers on at all times. But when he pees - he soaks everything!! SO it's a total clothes change as well as a diaper change - honestly its been something that's really difficult to deal with as I am not comfortable changing him in public restrooms (omg I am completely germaphobic since our last yr). SO basically we are staying home more than we would and I don't see that changing in the very near future - heck changing him at home is a chore just lifting that fatty fanny up and holding him up and trying to tug on the pull up and then try to get the diaper on without tearing off the tabs and man does that suck. I wish I had a little bitty portable tent I could just throw up anywhere to change his diaper - now woudln't that be a freaking hoot!

Sorry to hear of your troubles.. have you ever heard of abena? Not sure if they would fit him.. but they are the most absorbent adult diaper i know of..
check this out..

http://www.xpmedical.com/abriform.html

they make their briefs in severeal absorbencies..plus, super, extra, and X-Plus. Unfornuately, they don't make the X-Plus in youth sizes. However, you may want to try the x-small super..
Abena is well-known in the incontinence community for its quality and absorbency. Prices are a bit steep, but they are great for those who have very heavy incontinence. If i had total loss of control..no doubt, id use abena..fortunately, i only need moderate absorbency brief.. anyway
If those are too big.. perhaps using cloth would be good. Cloth diapers are superior to disposables in their rate of absorbency, and are customizable to any size.
Hope i helped!

[Donna Thomson]

There are external collection devices for women that funnel the urine via a pouch to a tube and collection bag (see Figure 10). However, none have proven to be totally useful for elderly women in wheelchairs or those who are bedbound.

Figure 10. (click image to zoom) External Female Pouch. Photo courtesy of Hollister.






another idea.....

[khfernandez]

The support station looks really useful.
Kim