Poop doesn't care about your schedule. Either does pee. Your baby's bowels and bladder don't know when you're in public, busy, or in a crunch for time. Though considering the coincidental occurrence of diaper dirtying the moment you get in the car, you'd think they did -- and they were seriously out to get you. From the moment my kids were born it seemed to never fail; as soon as we are in position that changing them would be inconvenient, they needed to be changed. I shouldn't put that in past tense, as even as toddlers this remains the truth. One thing that has changed since my eldest toddler was my newest first born, is my skill at changing diapers in public. There are people out there that are gravely offended by a baby's acts of nature being disposed of near them, and others who could care less. The problem is you never know which sort of person is about, and there isn't always a bathroom changing table to escape to.
The back corner bagger:
This works well for any baby, at any age. First, find yourself a corner. Place a blanket on the ground, set your baby down, and kneel with your back facing away from the corner. You in essence are becoming a baby poop view blocker. Keep some plastic bags in your diaper bag, so after you're down you can bag the diaper to avoid smell and mess. That way all anyone ever sees is your back, and if they smell anything it's brief.
The standing ovation:
Probably my favorite move, which people sometimes wonder at, is the standing diaper change. Naturally, this won't work on a baby that can't stand yet. I fell into this because my kids both hate to be laid down, and hold still for changing. I got to the point where I could simply slip down their pants, pull off the diaper, wipe, and put a new one on. It was so fast, even in public it mostly went unnoticed. This works best for pee, or older baby poop, when it begins to actually be turds, rather than poo-goo that gets everywhere and requires a lot of wiping. Luckily, once your baby can stand well, chances are diapers have begun to change consistency anyway.
The car seat:
If you're near a vehicle, yours or a friends, car seats can make great changing tables. The car creates cover and a surface off the ground to change your baby on. Simply open the door, lay down a blanket, and get down to business. I should note bucket seats can make this less successful. I have in a pinch used a truck bed, car hood, and even a large empty trunk once.
The slippery number:
Finally, in the event of pee butts only, you can remove bottom clothing, undo the diaper and slip it out from under your baby while still in whatever carrier you have them in today. Car seats and strollers alike provide good view edging to keep onlookers from being annoyed. Give a quick wipe, gently boost your baby's butt, slip a new diaper in, and presto, clean baby, no fuss.
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