Speaker | Author | BBC1 documentary presenter | Equal parenting, redefining masculinity & male allyship | Founder, MusicFootballFatherhood | Created #ParentingOutLoud for working dads
A lack of baby changing facilities in men's toilets reinforces gendered parenting roles. It creates a world that makes it difficult for dads to be equal parents. It says to couples that caregiving is for mothers. I've posted a few men's toilets that have baby changing and I'm always delighted to see them. We need more. At the moment, it's estimated that only 15% of public toilets have baby changing facilities for all caregivers. Baby changing in the men's toilets will make such a massive difference to dads out and about with their babies. And it also normalises male caring. It says to everyone in the building, whether they are parents or not, that dads can be main caregivers too. It is part of the wider changes needed that support dads to Parent Out Loud at work by being supported to be equal parents at home. So I am really supportive of the Bum Deal campaign by the Love and Power organisation. The campaign is pushing for legislative change that would make it a requirement for all restaurants and public toilets to have baby changing facilities available to men and women. Let's all behind this campaign! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eAnCNPht #Fatherhood #BabyChange #Parenting #GenderEquality #ParentingOutLoud
Or maybe more baby changing rooms. Going into toilets to change your baby isn’t always the most hygienic and many toilets are cramped with no space to put the pram, baby changing bag and other children that are with you. Baby changing rooms with a toilet accommodates babies and toddlers as well as parents.
When in one of my favourite pubs for lunch with my the 18 month old, I was faced with no baby change in the male toilets. On approaching the bar, despite being annoyed made sure I was calm, and asked where I could change my son. The response I got was 'get your wife to do it', I pointed out this would be difficult as my son and I were out without mummy, as we often do. The options I made clear as I saw them were either they clear the female toilet so I could use the change in there or I change him on the bar (as the only other surface of appropriate height). Sufficed to say they cleared the female toilet so I could use those facilities. We still go there and the gents now has a baby change. Ideally a dedicated baby change would be there but I get it's not always practical. I get I could go to somewhere that does have facilities in the male toilet. But if an establishment is claiming to be family or child friendly, or offers children's menus/activities they need to consider that a father / grandfather / guardian / carer may need to change a child's nappy.
Nicola Ward
2w
I don’t think they need them in men’s bathrooms, they need their own space. Fixing a baby change table onto a wall in a men’s bathroom isn’t helpful. There needs to be seperate facilities with adequate space for a pram, the other small kids often in tow, and a family loo. Baby change facilities without a loo in are also a pain when you have toddlers or young children with you. Although I don’t think the headline accurately reflects the campaign which seems to have the right idea.
Ruth Virgo
2w
🙌🏻 separate baby changing facilities are the best option best that they are not part of ‘ladies’ or ’men’s’ toilets they should be a facility in their own right. My both daughters are grown up with gown up children themselves, when they were small their dad found it difficult out all day on his own with them, how do you take a small little girl and a girl toddler to the loo if you are a male in your own 🤷🏻♀️
Zac Wilson
2w
Yes 🙌🏻 been stuck a few times out and about. What I end up doing is repeatedly going back to the same places that I know have suitable facilities (usually buying a coffee, a drink or some lunch in the process). Therefore, businesses should see this not as a cost - but a value-add and another way to attract regular customers too.
Parenting Out Loud at work is so important in this day and age. Although things have moved on a lot, there is still so much Taboo around fathers openly prioritising childcare to the extent in interferes with their work. It is so vital that we get this right moving forward as everybody wins in the long run. People often forget, when campaigning for mothers returning to work, to be supported (rightly so), but like with anything in life, there is cause and effect. If fathers could be more openly proactive with their parenting responsibilities, it would alleviate so much pressure faced by mothers when returning to work and not feel like they are having to choose between one or the other.
YES! 👏 👏 SO many times my husband has gone off with our daughter and the changing bag only to come back minutes later to tell me I'm going to have to go as the baby changing is in the ladies. It's infuriating for BOTH of us - despite his best attempts he can't help in the way he'd like to. Very much behind this campaign.
This might be the best thing I’ve seen in 2024 - YES. TO. THIS!!!
Empowering individuals and organisations with transformative coaching and heightened awareness. By leveraging the unique strengths of ADHD, I help people pave the way for breakthroughs and success
2wWhy make baby changing a gender-specific feature at all? Instead of squeezing baby changing facilities into male or female toilets, we should provide dedicated rooms that are private, comfortable, quiet, clean, and hygienic. As a neurodivergent, I used to experience significant anxiety using cramped, dirty changing stations in men's toilets, often rushing and making mistakes. Certain amenities, like baby changing rooms and toilets, don't need to be divided by gender. Gender-neutral toilets with individual, private, closed-off rooms are a fantastic solution for everyone.