One nappy room to rule them all

Isabel, 10 weeks old

I used to be a career girl. You know, providing expert analysis and visiting boardrooms. Now, I visit nappy rooms. And recently, I have had occasion to visit quite a few.

My mum was over from New Zealand and so we did a few of the sights of London. Well, actually, she saw some of the sites. Me and Bundle of Joy visited the nappy rooms at those sites. So far, we've clocked up the National Gallery (quite nice), the Tate (ok), and the open-air changing room of St James park (breezy). Buckingham palace didn't quite stretch to a changing room, so we had to make do with St James park. In fact, the park wasn't too bad. Isabel got to wave her bottom at the people in the green-and-white-striped chairs and we got to enjoy the mild looks of surprise.

But there is one nappy room to rule them all. And I do hate to admit it, because it sounds a bit like a marketing plug. But one has to give credit where credit is due. Westfields in Shepherds Bush has provided a small sanctuary for mums amidst its shops. Admittedly, it was a little hard to find. But when we did, it was like that shining moment when you realise you have an umbrella in your bag as an Auckland sky opens up on you. The door slid open (automatic, no less) to reveal a whole play area, three changing pods, and individual feeding rooms complete with two chairs and table. Even the toilet cubicles had two toilet seats each and enough room for a push chair.

Now, I'm all for having values and such, but I'm afraid they go out the window somewhat when one has a screaming soiled baby. I will be shamelessly giving them a large portion of my consumer spending (albeit that my spending is no longer on designer handbags and high-heeled shoes). Still, a mum's spending on baby stuff is not to be snivelled at. Especially when there is lots of mums in there spending up large and babies require an amazing amount of stuff. I've certainly told all my yummy mummy friends. Exactly what they intended I suspect.