British Airways
The restooms on the plane (well in the economy section anyway) all had baby changing facilities which are just an enlarged tray table that folds down above the toilet. There are no straps on the table - this is the one time I really would have liked to have seen straps incase of sudden turbulance. At 3 months old my daughter was pretty much as long as she could be to fit on the table. I don't think it would even be possible to use with an older child and there aren't really any other options on a plane. On a positive note the staff on BA were very accomodating and offer bottle/food warming services.
Your Guide to Local Facilities
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Saturday, October 4, 2008
Airports
Dulles International Airport
While at Dulles Airport I changed my daughter 3 times, once before security and twice air side. All 3 restrooms had baby changing facilities which were easily accessible and had plenty of room for a stroller. As with most airport bathrooms however they weren't very clean.
While at Dulles Airport I changed my daughter 3 times, once before security and twice air side. All 3 restrooms had baby changing facilities which were easily accessible and had plenty of room for a stroller. As with most airport bathrooms however they weren't very clean.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Verizon Center
What is it with the local sports complexes? They're putting some of our restaurants and shops to shame! On the club level - the changing facilities in the womens rest room is wonderful. Clean, accessible, everything you could want while out at a game!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Crystal City
Hyatt - Crystal City
This would be the Arlington Area's Baby Changing Station Shangri-La. They have a full changing table, complete with linens rather than the standard fold down plastic station. Now, where some might be concerned about hygiene (linens can soak up baby germs) - we're assured they clean the facility regularly. The only thing that could make this place better would be a chorus of angels singing hallelujah as you walk in -- other than that, a perfect and refreshing changing facility!
This would be the Arlington Area's Baby Changing Station Shangri-La. They have a full changing table, complete with linens rather than the standard fold down plastic station. Now, where some might be concerned about hygiene (linens can soak up baby germs) - we're assured they clean the facility regularly. The only thing that could make this place better would be a chorus of angels singing hallelujah as you walk in -- other than that, a perfect and refreshing changing facility!
Fair Oaks Mall
Linens and Things
This place has a toddler (maybe infant?) fold down seat and that is awesome!! Having this feature is a great way to tie down those curious kids who want to run around and touch everything! Clearly this rest room was designed by a parent.
This place has a toddler (maybe infant?) fold down seat and that is awesome!! Having this feature is a great way to tie down those curious kids who want to run around and touch everything! Clearly this rest room was designed by a parent.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Nationals Stadium
10 out of 10 for the Nationals Stadium. I read on their website before we went to the game that EVERY public bathroom in the stadium has baby changing facilities. I went into 4 or 5 different restrooms during the game and every single one had clean changing facilities with ample room surrounding it for a stroller. This truly is a family oriented stadium - well done Nationals!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Clarendon / North Arlington Area
Faccia Luna
No Changing Facilities in either Restroom! At least the restrooms were clean, so if it is an emergency, looks like you'll be using the changing mat on the floor method!
La Tasca Restaurant
No Changing Facilities in either Restroom! This restaurant only gets a fair cleaning rating, so you may not even want to try changing or feeding here.
O'Sullivan's Irish Pub and Restaurant
Thanks to the large Ladies' Restroom, changing baby isn't as cramped as in other locations. This place got fair ratings on cleanliness and easy of use. Stroller accessibility was also rated as fair. Looks like it's best to just bring baby and the diaper bag in with you - but at least you've got some room to manuever which is a welcome change.
Ray's the Steaks
Surprisingly, no changing station in either restroom. Fortunately, a cleanliness rating of "Good" made changing baby on the floor possible. How on Earth established restaurants like this still don't have proper facilities, I'll never understand.
Sawatdee Thai Restaurant
No changing station in the womens' room here. With low cleanliness and space ratings, it might be best to change baby elsewhere.
Silver Diner
There wasn't much accomodation for a baby in a stroller here. The restroom has no changing station, is a bit cramped, and isn't that clean. Basically, this is a nightmare for changing or feeding baby. Desperate, the sink can be used - but neither mom nor baby is a fan of that, right?
Starbucks
Amazingly, this place is a disaster. No changing facilities, and a restroom that can only be described as "Disgusting". Moms, either make sure baby isn't in need of attention at these places or get that coffee TO GO - because this is one of the places you definitely don't want to have to use!
Tandoori Nights
No changing station and a not-so-clean restroom means avoid using this facility for baby.
No Changing Facilities in either Restroom! At least the restrooms were clean, so if it is an emergency, looks like you'll be using the changing mat on the floor method!
La Tasca Restaurant
No Changing Facilities in either Restroom! This restaurant only gets a fair cleaning rating, so you may not even want to try changing or feeding here.
O'Sullivan's Irish Pub and Restaurant
Thanks to the large Ladies' Restroom, changing baby isn't as cramped as in other locations. This place got fair ratings on cleanliness and easy of use. Stroller accessibility was also rated as fair. Looks like it's best to just bring baby and the diaper bag in with you - but at least you've got some room to manuever which is a welcome change.
Ray's the Steaks
Surprisingly, no changing station in either restroom. Fortunately, a cleanliness rating of "Good" made changing baby on the floor possible. How on Earth established restaurants like this still don't have proper facilities, I'll never understand.
Sawatdee Thai Restaurant
No changing station in the womens' room here. With low cleanliness and space ratings, it might be best to change baby elsewhere.
Silver Diner
There wasn't much accomodation for a baby in a stroller here. The restroom has no changing station, is a bit cramped, and isn't that clean. Basically, this is a nightmare for changing or feeding baby. Desperate, the sink can be used - but neither mom nor baby is a fan of that, right?
Starbucks
Amazingly, this place is a disaster. No changing facilities, and a restroom that can only be described as "Disgusting". Moms, either make sure baby isn't in need of attention at these places or get that coffee TO GO - because this is one of the places you definitely don't want to have to use!
Tandoori Nights
No changing station and a not-so-clean restroom means avoid using this facility for baby.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Tysons Corner Center - Tysons Corner, VA
Family Restroom
This facility was appalling, it was absolutely filthy with urine all over the toilet seat and floor. There is an extended vanity which can be used as a changing station with your own mat, although I scrubbed mine clean before I put it back in my diaper bag. There were no feeding facilities so I lay my baby on her changing mat on the vanity and leaned over her. This was one of my first excursions after I had my daughter and I was almost in tears after the experience!
Nordstroms
Ask any parent in Northern Virginia and they will tell you this - Nordstroms has the best changing facility in the area. Some like it better than the one they have at home. So, if you're in Tyson's Corner and you need a place to feed or change baby...walk the extra hundred feet to Nordstroms. It's worth the trip!
This facility was appalling, it was absolutely filthy with urine all over the toilet seat and floor. There is an extended vanity which can be used as a changing station with your own mat, although I scrubbed mine clean before I put it back in my diaper bag. There were no feeding facilities so I lay my baby on her changing mat on the vanity and leaned over her. This was one of my first excursions after I had my daughter and I was almost in tears after the experience!
Nordstroms
Ask any parent in Northern Virginia and they will tell you this - Nordstroms has the best changing facility in the area. Some like it better than the one they have at home. So, if you're in Tyson's Corner and you need a place to feed or change baby...walk the extra hundred feet to Nordstroms. It's worth the trip!
Potomac Mills Mall - Woodbridge, VA
In the food court there is a Family Restroom which has a large bathroom cubicle, a separate feeding room with lockable door and soft seats and a large area with a drop down changing station in the middle by the sinks. The restroom was clean and spacious enough for a few strollers to pass each other with no problem. It is a great facility and can be used by both moms and dads.
Manchester Lakes - Springfield, VA
Luckys Bar & Grill
One of the strangest things I've encountered as far as changing facilities go - there are 2 women's restrooms here, one in the bar and one in the family restaurant. There are no changing facilities in the restaurant restroom, instead you have to walk through the crowded smokey bar to those restrooms to find a changing station. The restrooms themselves are very clean. There is a drop down changing station in the disabled cubicle and there is a large vanity which could also be used as a changing station with your own mat.
Chilis
These restrooms aren't always the cleanest and are quite small. The drop down changing station blocks both the disabled cubicle and one of the sinks when in use and there is definately not enough room to park a stroller next to it.
One of the strangest things I've encountered as far as changing facilities go - there are 2 women's restrooms here, one in the bar and one in the family restaurant. There are no changing facilities in the restaurant restroom, instead you have to walk through the crowded smokey bar to those restrooms to find a changing station. The restrooms themselves are very clean. There is a drop down changing station in the disabled cubicle and there is a large vanity which could also be used as a changing station with your own mat.
Chilis
These restrooms aren't always the cleanest and are quite small. The drop down changing station blocks both the disabled cubicle and one of the sinks when in use and there is definately not enough room to park a stroller next to it.
Kingstowe - Alexandria, VA
Walmart
This is not always the cleanest of restrooms however it differs from day to day as to exactlty how clean/messy they are. The changing station is the traditional drop down version and is at the far end of the restroom so you and your stroller do not get in anyones elses way.
Giant - Kingstowne Town Center
This restroom is always clean and tidy, they even usually have disposable changing mats on the changing station which is of the drop down variety. Even though the restroom itself isn't that big the placement of the changing table means you are out of the way of other customers.
Giant - Hayfield Shopping Center
Like the Kingstowne Town Center Giant this restroom has a traditional drop down changing station in a large restroom which is stroller accessible. The cleanliness of these bathrooms differs from day to day but are usually on the dirtier side.
Safeway
The changing station here is located in the bathroom which is one large cubicle rather than a larger facility. Depending on the day you go in, depends how clean this restroom is. Its one advantage is that it is very large and so there is a lot of room to move around and the drop down changing station itself is always clean. The down side is if someone is using the restroom you have to wait in line with your screaming child.
Panera Bread
This facility is always clean however the restroom is very small and when you drop the changing station down it blocks the door to the disabled cubicle.
Babies R Us / Toys R Us
Surprisingly for a baby store this isn't the most convenient changing station. There is a drop down changing station in the disabled cubicle which means if someone is using the bathroom you have to wait. It is also a little difficult to manoeuvre the stroller in and out of the cubicle. These restrooms are always clean and tidy.
House of Dynasty
I hate to give this restaurant a bad review because I love their food and custome service but for a family restaurant its not very baby friendly. There are no baby changing facilities here, the restrooms are kind of small so not much room for a stroller. The few times i've had to change my daughter here I have done so by placing a changing mat on the reasonably sized vanity. On the plus side, these bathrooms are always clean.
This is not always the cleanest of restrooms however it differs from day to day as to exactlty how clean/messy they are. The changing station is the traditional drop down version and is at the far end of the restroom so you and your stroller do not get in anyones elses way.
Giant - Kingstowne Town Center
This restroom is always clean and tidy, they even usually have disposable changing mats on the changing station which is of the drop down variety. Even though the restroom itself isn't that big the placement of the changing table means you are out of the way of other customers.
Giant - Hayfield Shopping Center
Like the Kingstowne Town Center Giant this restroom has a traditional drop down changing station in a large restroom which is stroller accessible. The cleanliness of these bathrooms differs from day to day but are usually on the dirtier side.
Safeway
The changing station here is located in the bathroom which is one large cubicle rather than a larger facility. Depending on the day you go in, depends how clean this restroom is. Its one advantage is that it is very large and so there is a lot of room to move around and the drop down changing station itself is always clean. The down side is if someone is using the restroom you have to wait in line with your screaming child.
Panera Bread
This facility is always clean however the restroom is very small and when you drop the changing station down it blocks the door to the disabled cubicle.
Babies R Us / Toys R Us
Surprisingly for a baby store this isn't the most convenient changing station. There is a drop down changing station in the disabled cubicle which means if someone is using the bathroom you have to wait. It is also a little difficult to manoeuvre the stroller in and out of the cubicle. These restrooms are always clean and tidy.
House of Dynasty
I hate to give this restaurant a bad review because I love their food and custome service but for a family restaurant its not very baby friendly. There are no baby changing facilities here, the restrooms are kind of small so not much room for a stroller. The few times i've had to change my daughter here I have done so by placing a changing mat on the reasonably sized vanity. On the plus side, these bathrooms are always clean.
Springfield Mall - Springfield, VA
Target
This is usually my 'go to' changing station when I'm in Springfield Mall, it has a pull down changing table which is always clean and has enough space surrounding it that you can park your stroller next to it and not be in anyone elses way.
Macys
The Family Restroom is pretty difficult to find (tucked in a corner of the children's section). There is no changing table although there is a large vanity you can lay your own mat on. The hand dryer is positioned on the wall next to this vanity though and is set off the entire time you are changing your baby. My daughter doesn't mind loud noises but for children who are more sensetive to noise this may be a problem. The restroom wasn't that clean when I used it.
Borders
Dad's first journey into the realm of changing diapers in public. The Men's bathrooms themselves were pretty dirty. The changing table is located in the Handicap Toilet but I should be happy the Men's Room even had anything, right? All in all, it served it's purpose. It looked overdue for a date with a Clorox Wipe. The faucets have two settings; "Drip" and "Niagra Falls" - so be careful when washing your hands.
This is usually my 'go to' changing station when I'm in Springfield Mall, it has a pull down changing table which is always clean and has enough space surrounding it that you can park your stroller next to it and not be in anyone elses way.
Macys
The Family Restroom is pretty difficult to find (tucked in a corner of the children's section). There is no changing table although there is a large vanity you can lay your own mat on. The hand dryer is positioned on the wall next to this vanity though and is set off the entire time you are changing your baby. My daughter doesn't mind loud noises but for children who are more sensetive to noise this may be a problem. The restroom wasn't that clean when I used it.
Borders
Dad's first journey into the realm of changing diapers in public. The Men's bathrooms themselves were pretty dirty. The changing table is located in the Handicap Toilet but I should be happy the Men's Room even had anything, right? All in all, it served it's purpose. It looked overdue for a date with a Clorox Wipe. The faucets have two settings; "Drip" and "Niagra Falls" - so be careful when washing your hands.
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