“No Baby Facilities In Some Men’s Restrooms” Malaysian Father Laments Lack Of Amenities To Change Diapers

A father shared how he and many fathers had to use the women’s restroom to change their baby’s diaper.

For illustration purposes

Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest stories and updates.

Parenting is a shared responsibility for both mother and father. However, sometimes public facilities for families are still stuck in outdated beliefs.

A Twitter user and father Mustakim (@mustakim_ismail) recently voiced his disappointment when he couldn’t help change his baby’s diaper in the men’s toilet. This was because there was simply no diaper changing table in the men’s room.

He had no choice but to enter the women’s toilet to use the diaper changing table there. For most fathers, they would understand why that was uncomfortable and could be a problem.

Sorry terpaksa redah je. Lain kali jgn ingt tugas wanita je tukar pampers anak. Benda ni tanggungjawab bersama. Kepada designer/architect, please alert bila design space2 mcm ni. Dah byk mall aku jumpa, changing room dlm toilet wanita. pic.twitter.com/zT3gmxji1E
— 🏴mustakim ismail 🏴 (@mustakim_ismail) April 14, 2022

Mustakim said the responsibility to change a baby’s diaper is not only a mother’s duty. He urged the designer or architect to think of fathers, especially single fathers, when they build public facilities in buildings such as shopping malls.

Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh voiced her support regarding the matter too. She said it’s a collective responsibility and it’s time to change outdated beliefs regarding gender roles.

Saya setuju. Tanggungjawab bersama. Pihak berkuasa tempatan dan pihak swasta kena ubah pemikiran juga. Dah masuk tahun 2022. https://t.co/tYOSisCIUv
— Hannah Yeoh (@hannahyeoh) April 14, 2022

Other parents agree

Parents online voiced similar issues too and fathers shared the challenge they face when the facilities provided for fathers are non-existent or badly designed.

Netizens believe that the diaper changing table should be available in both male and female restrooms.

Pernah try guna, tahan. Cuma sayangnya, tandas tak mesra nak cuci taik budak. Takkan nak tembak bontot baby guna bidet? Leceh
— Amirul 🇲🇾🇵🇸🌺 (@IdihsarLurima) April 14, 2022

I feel you. I had to change my kids diapers in the toilet too previously. It’s mostly the older malls without a specific baby room. A lot of the malls also has a sign stating “only mothers and baby”. What if the father has to change the diaper or feed the baby too?
— Ooi Beng Cheang (@luxentX) April 15, 2022

Ah IOI City Mall. Tempat biasa tukar diapers. Ada hari tenang. Ada masa panik ditenung ibu2 yg nak menyusu badan.

Tapi terpaksa redah jugak bila berat diaper mencapai tahap boleh bertukar jadi atomic bomb.
— sulaimanali (@rockincake) April 15, 2022

aku rasa kan dua-dua toilet patut ada changing table. minimum requirement kalau malas nak buat changing room lah.
— Selamat Ram-don (@FrugalFliza) April 14, 2022

They also shared several locations with great facilities for both parents to help other families.

Some of the places parents gave their two thumbs up are:

AEON Mall Shah Alam – The changing rooms are outside the restrooms so both mum and dad can use the facilities. The nursing room is behind the changing room, offering privacy to parents.
I-City Mall
Pavilion Bukit Jalil – The changing room is a separate, private room. Netizens noted the spaciousness and cleanliness.
IOI Mall Puchong – There are individual rooms for nursing and changing diapers in the baby room. Netizens said the room is cosy and massive.
Toppen Tebrau – There are private nursing rooms, a family restroom and diaper changing areas.
AEON Kinta Ipoh – While there’s a diaper changing room, there’s no nursing room.