Everyone – men, women, parents, grandparents, all other caregivers - needs access to baby changing stations, yet many locations still fall short, either lacking these facilities entirely or providing them exclusively in women’s restrooms. This oversight leaves dads, grandfathers, and other male caregivers without essential amenities when they’re out with their little ones. The disparity between the availability of changing tables in women’s versus men’s restrooms isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a reflection of outdated gender roles and unequal parenting responsibilities.
As millennial families increasingly embrace shared caregiving, public spaces that fail to accommodate hands-on fathers risk alienating a growing demographic. Addressing this gap is not only about practical needs, but also about all patrons feeling welcomed in your facility.
Understanding the need for baby changing tables in men’s restrooms is important for your establishment’s customer relationships. Learn more about the movement for baby changing stations in men’s restrooms:
Roots of the Dads for Change Movement
In 2018, a photo of high school teacher Donte Palmer went viral as he struggled to change his son’s diaper in a public restroom without a baby changing station. Donte’s plight exploded into a viral movement with the hashtag #squatforchange, used by fathers advocating for more diaper changing stations in public places.
Dads around the country engaged in fighting for legislation that would require restaurants to include baby changing stations in men’s restrooms. Online resources began popping up, to identify public locations that offer fathers a place to change diapers. Fathers energized by Palmer’s movement continue to actively call out establishments that don't have baby changing stations in male restrooms.
Using social media to mobilize this movement and provide resources for parents created a unique publicity angle for public establishments. It gave those establishments supportive of fathers as caregivers positive reviews and leverage for their business.
Federal Legislation for Baby Changing Tables in Men’s Restrooms
Legislation requiring baby changing stations in public men’s restrooms has also been on the rise. In 2016 the BABIES (Bathrooms Accessible in Every Situation) Act was passed, a federal law that requires at least one baby changing station accommodation in both male and female restrooms in publicly accessible federal buildings.
The BABIES Act was a step in the right direction for equitable changing stations, but they are still not required in all men’s restrooms by federal law. Rules for public establishments are on a state-by-state basis and while tables might be required for new construction, they're not always mandated in pre-existing structures.
State Legislation for Baby Changing Tables in Men's Restrooms
As fathers increasingly share the responsibilities of childcare, several states have stepped up to mandate that public facilities provide changing tables in men’s restrooms. Each state has a unique set of legislation regarding baby changing stations.
For example, the state of California requires a baby changing station in at least one women’s restroom and one men’s restroom in most public buildings based on occupancies, square feet, and type of establishment. Arizona requires all public entities to install one changing table suitable for both babies and adults when building or overhauling a restroom. New York has also required all men’s restroom to provide changing stations as of 2018.
States see the need for fathers to be included in caregiving responsibilities. For a full list of state-by-state legislation, check out this map.
Your Solution
How can public establishments make life easier for dads and win their loyalty? Installing a baby changing table in the men’s restroom. Parenting isn’t a one-person job, yet many establishments do not reflect this based on their lack of baby changing stations in male restrooms.
Installing a commercial baby changing table in male restrooms, or having a family restroom open to both men and women with small children, can help alleviate these stressful and unfair situations for fathers.