Changing diapers is easy at home, but it’s not as easy when you’re out and about, right? Not all bathrooms have diaper changing spaces, and even finding a place can be a struggle… How do other moms change diapers when they’re out and about? Based on the experiences of other moms, we’ve compiled some points to keep in mind when changing diapers when you’re out and about.
1: Plan where you’ll change diapers in advance
There were many comments saying that in order to smoothly change diapers when out and about, they check in advance whether or not there is a diaper changing space available.
Moms’ opinions: I always check where to change diapers
The most troublesome thing is that diaper changing sheets and beds are not widely available when you go out.
Even if children’s stores and barrier-free stores have them, there are many stores that don’t have anything…
I think it’s a good idea to find places where you can go and be safe on a regular basis.
When going out on a regular basis, it seems important to frequently check things like, “Is it possible to change diapers in this toilet?” or “This shopping center has a large diaper changing area.”
Moms’ comments: Even if your child’s range of movement is limited, changing diapers is still a priority!
I would check in advance where there were places where I could change diapers and breastfeed before going out. It
would limit my range of movement and in some cases increase my expenses, but I couldn’t leave the place dirty with poop.
I would lay a diaper changing mat in the supermarket or on a park bench and quickly change the diaper
If you place importance on whether or not there is a space to change diapers, it can limit the places you can go out with your baby.
“But even so, I only want to go to places where I can change diapers!” was one comment. This comment shows how much mothers value the peace of mind of being able to change diapers whenever they want.
2: Try to change diapers as early as possible
When you’re out and about, you can’t change your baby’s diaper whenever you want. If you find a place where you can change your baby’s diaper, it’s a good idea to change it as soon as possible.
If you put off changing your baby’s diaper, thinking “It’s okay!”, it could lead to disastrous results.
Mom’s voice: The diapers have reached their limit…
While sitting on a bench with my child on my lap during a shopping break, I felt my knees get wet, so I picked up my child and found that even my jeans were soaked through.
Apparently my child had peed a lot without realizing it, and the diaper had exceeded its limit and was leaking out.
This experience taught me the importance of “timing” when changing diapers. If you think “it’ll be fine if I don’t change the diaper yet,” you may end up in even more trouble later. Change the diaper as
soon as possible!!
To avoid this situation, it may be a good idea to change your baby’s diapers more frequently than you would at home.
If your baby’s diaper starts to absorb moisture and become bloated, it may be time to be careful.
Mom’s advice: If you notice an odor, get it checked right away!
I thought it was still okay, but one day I noticed that there was so much poop spilling out onto my back. Even
if it’s only for a short time, poop can cause a skin rash, so I felt bad
for my cat. If you think it smells even a little bit bad, I think it’s best to check it frequently, even if it smells like a fart.
Even more disastrous than pee leakage is poop leakage…
It’s a good idea to check the diaper when you go out, even if there is a faint odor, before it’s too late.
3: Be mindful of etiquette ♡
When disposing of used diapers while out and about, it is important to follow proper etiquette. After placing the used diaper in a plastic bag, be sure to tie the top tightly to prevent odors from escaping. If you have a
trash can specifically for diapers, you can throw them away, but if there isn’t one, it is good etiquette to take them home with you.
Mom’s comment: When you go to a friend’s house, take some home with you!
When I went out, there was a special place to throw away used diapers, so I rarely put them in a bag and brought them home.
However, when I went to visit a friend who didn’t have children, I made sure to take them home as etiquette.
I prepared a plastic bag for each diaper, and was careful not to let the smell escape when I threw them out or brought them home.
When visiting a friend or acquaintance’s house, it is generally a good idea to take used diapers home with you.
Mom’s comment: Always keep deodorizing plastic bags on hand for the people around you♡
It’s usually okay if the place has a baby bed, but there are many places where you can’t throw away diapers. Some parents throw them away in places where they shouldn’t, but that’s out of the question.
I’m the type of person who is sensitive about odors, so I used both a deodorizing pouch and deodorizing plastic to bring them home. Even if I threw them away outside, I was thinking about the next person who would use them, so the deodorizing plastic was essential
Some people use deodorizing plastic bags so as not to bother the people around them. This
is especially recommended when going to restaurants and other places where even the slightest smell can be bothersome.
4. Pay attention to hygiene
Ideally, diaper changing spaces in stores and public facilities should be kept clean and everyone should follow proper etiquette. However, the reality is that they are often left dirty. You
want to change your delicate baby’s diaper in a clean place, right? Here are some ideas from moms.
Mom’s opinion: Use a sheet when the changing table is dirty!
I don’t generally use a diaper changing mat. However, I do use one when the diaper changing table is dirty.
It’s a pain to carry a thick sheet with cushioning around all the time, so I use a thin disposable sheet. It has a waterproof and absorbent side on one side.
This is very useful. It can be used not only when changing diapers, but also for a variety of purposes, such as placing it on your lap to prevent spilled baby food from staining your clothes, or to absorb small amounts of water
It seems that many moms use diaper changing mats when changing diapers on the go.
Like this person, it might be convenient to use it only when the diaper changing table is dirty.
Mom’s comment: I used rubbing alcohol.
I use the disinfectant installed on the wall of the bathroom or the alcohol on the sink to apply to paper and wipe it down.
If you don’t use a diaper sheet and you lay your baby directly on the diaper changing table, it’s a good idea to wipe it lightly with alcohol to be safe.
In addition to using the ones provided in the bathroom, many moms seem to carry alcohol-based disinfectant wipes or antiseptic gel with them.
5: If you change it quickly, you will have less trouble!
When the diaper changing area is crowded and you have to wait, and even if you have time, it is better to change the diaper as soon as possible.
Try to do it quickly before your baby gets fussy.
Mom’s opinion: Pants type is quicker ☆
Because my baby was running away, I switched from tape-type diapers to pants-type diapers.
It took less time to change them, and my baby seemed to prefer to roll over or be in a touching position rather than being put down, so it became easier to change them.
If your baby can stand up, changing diapers with pants-type diapers is much smoother than with tape-type diapers.
Mom’s voice: Start fully prepared!
It is important to have everything ready, such as wet wipes and spare diapers, and then change them quickly.
When you come across your baby’s dirty bottom and find yourself wondering, “Huh? Where are the wet wipes?”, you may end up soiling their clothes or sheets as well, which will take even more time than you thought… So
prepare wet wipes and a new diaper and be fully prepared when changing the diaper♪ It’s also a good idea to keep everything you need in one place!
Some moms even change diapers right before leaving!
What did you think? It seems that the important thing is to do some research beforehand and to use a little ingenuity.
By the way, it seems that many moms change their baby’s diaper just before leaving the house in order to reduce the number of diaper changes when they are out. Please use these moms’ experiences and ideas as a reference and enjoy going out with your baby.
