Fr Mark Cauchi, Valletta
Missing nappy-changing facilities
A few days ago I was talking to a pharmacist when a young woman holding a toddler in her arms came in and begged the chemist for somewhere to do a nappy change. The chemist immediately showed her to a small room. The woman thanked the chemist for his kindness, telling him that she could not stop her child from crying.
In this modern age, such needs are rarely considered. It is time to create a corner in women's public conveniences for the needs of babies and toddlers. Many public conveniences have been adapted for use by persons with special needs. Why not for the little ones?
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A Vella
Mar 18th 2009, 14:25
One of the places that came to mind as having almost exemplary nappy-changing facilities (you're right, M Vassallo, not in the men's toilets). That makes it all the more repulsive that clients should change babies soiled nappies in the restaurant and lounge.
And I'm not talking about the soiled nappies being changed on the sofas either, but on the cafe tables where people eat! Incredibly Gozo Channel staff take no notice and no steps to request that the operation is carried out in the toilets.
Gozo Channel please note,
Astrid
kevin grech
Mar 18th 2009, 11:59
The ONLY place in Malta that offer baby changing facilities for men and women is Baystreet.
M.Mifsud
Mar 18th 2009, 11:31
Unfortunately our little people are most often ignored, even in restaurants. Besides barely having enough space for a toilet, let alone a nappy changer, in most restaurants there is a lack or total non-existence of highchairs. To mention just one, a popular fast food outlet in Sliema had just one half-broken highchair, meaning there was only space for one toddler. It's no wonder that most of the time the place is empty, compared to its rival eatery. It's a shame that these places do not invest in a few good quality chairs for the young ones. After all, families with small kids are amongst those contributing to their profit!
Mark A Vassallo
Mar 18th 2009, 10:51
Why just women's public convenience and not also men's?
There is nothing more frustrating than being a man trying to change my child’s nappy and not finding suitable facilities in the male toilet whilst knowing that they exist in the female toilets.
On the previous Gozo Chanel ferries (the banana boats) which were designed for use in Scandinavia there were drop down baby changing tables in both the male and female toilets. What a breath of fresh air seeing a design from a modern progressive Nordic country. In Australia public conveniences always come in threes; male, female & disabled - with parenting facilities such a nappy changing table in the disabled toilet, where there is more room for a pram.
D SCHEMBRI
Mar 18th 2009, 10:46
Would you beleive that the Baby Clinic in Paola Polyclinic doesnt have nappy changing facilities. A baby clinic that doesnt accomodate babies.
The staff are great and I am not complaining about them in any way.