Parenthood does not mean the abandonment of cultural life and walks around the city. Many of Moscow’s parks, cafes, and museums have specialized rooms where you can change a diaper and dress and feed your baby. Over the last few years, public spaces have been developing accessible environments. We are going to tell you about the most advanced and convenient places for parents and their kids.
Care rooms
These are places where you can change a diaper or feed your baby. They are often called “mother and baby rooms.” In fact, dads often walking with their babies too. In Europe, these rooms are called “children’s rooms” or “children’s dressing rooms.” There is another name in Russia—“care room”—which accurately describes the purpose of these rooms.
There is usually a changing table, a comfortable chair where babies can be fed, and sometimes even a microwave to heat up formula or puree. Such rooms are often equipped with sinks and adult toilets, and there is sometimes a children’s toilet or potty. Changing tables may be installed in a bathroom, but for now they are usually only in women’s toilets. We will explain what a care room should look like and where to find the most comfortable spaces to care for babies.
Yandex.maps vidget
Map of places in Moscow which are comfortable for parents and their kids. The author is Anastasia Slavskaya, landscape architect and city researcher, creator of the project “What if I’m with my children?”
Parks
There are care rooms at a lot of the capital’s large parks. Sometimes, there is not only convenient infrastructure to care for babies, but adult toilets as well, such as at Muzeon and Lianozovskiy Park. Izmaylovskiy Park has a changing room equipped with a microwave near the main entrance.
At VDNKh, on the left side of the main entrance arch in and in the “Mesto vstrech” (“Meeting point”) pavilion, there are spacious rooms that have everything necessary: a parking space for strollers, changing tables, feeding areas, play zones, and a bottle warmer. There are murals of foxes and a mother bear with her cub.
The changing rooms in the parks are sometimes locked to prevent inappropriate use. In this case, you can call the number on the plaque or ask security for help.
Cultural centers
Many museums have changing tables in the women’s toilets. However, at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, it is possible for fathers to change babies, too: there are changing tables in the men’s toilet, which is located in the main building.
The GES-2 cultural center also has a multi functional room: there is a wide changing table with a mattress and a space to put your things, drawers with diapers of three different sizes, disposable swaddles, and wet wipes. In addition, there is a children’s high chair, a sink, and an adult toilet. The Garage Museum of Contemporary Art also has a comfortable changing room located near the cafe. There are disposable swaddles that parents can use.
Moi Dokumenty (My Documents) and children’s clinics
All regional centers of the Moi Dokumenty public service and all children’s clinics are equipped with “mother and baby” rooms. These rooms have not only changing tables and chairs, but also children’s areas with toys and books.
Moi Dokumenty centers are open every day from 08:00 to 20:00, while the flagship centers are open from 10:00 to 22:00. Children’s clinics are usually open from 08:00 to 20:00 on business days, but it is best to verify their schedules on weekends and holidays.
Railway stations and airports
Baby care rooms are required at railway stations and airports, and this is regulated by law.
Every railway station has a changing and feeding room for babies younger than one year, a storage space for luggage and strollers, and a rest area for pregnant women and passengers with children under 10. For example, Kursky Railway Station has a comfortable room with two changing tables, potties, a high chair for feeding, and comfortable chairs for breastfeeding. There is even a room nearby where mothers and babies can nap.
Every airport is equipped with appropriate spaces. For example, Sheremetyevo Airport has a chair for breastfeeding, potties, sinks, and a changing table, and there is also a playground not too far away. Passengers must show their passport and tickets to use the room. Domodedovo Airport even has a small shower in one its rooms.
Shopping malls and cafes
All large shopping malls have changing and feeding rooms. There is a spacious area on the top floor of GUM which consists of two rooms: strollers can be stored and clothes can be hung up in the first. Feeding babies is comfortable thanks to the wide couch, and there is also a playpen for kids, so parents do not have to rush while preparing everything necessary for changing diapers. The second room has a changing table, a sink, a toilet, and a bidet.
Shopping malls often have spacious children’s rooms with interesting and modern designs. MEGA Tepliy Stan has three stylish rooms located on different floors. One of the spaces is decorated using earthy colors, with dim and scattered light. Inside, there are two toilets, a changing mat, a sink, and a unique playpen: a round, wooden depression with pillows, resembling a nest. Babies can rest, play, or sit in the playpen while their parents are busy.
The changing room at the Paveletskaya Plaza shopping mall has been designed with attention to every detail. There are adult and children’s toilet cubicles located separately. The room has a sink near the changing table. Babies can be fed in the comfortable chair.
Care rooms can also be found in Anderson family cafes, which are conveniently located in different parts of the city. Kids can play in them while the adults relax. Littles cafe also has smart changing rooms.
The perfect care room: a check list
- Convenient stroller access: a ramp and a door that can be opened easily. Stroller parking is a must if it must be left outside.
- It is easier to dress your baby if the changing table is near the sink.
- The mattress should be equipped with pads and straps for the baby’s safety.
- A mobile or a mirror can be placed above the table to distract the baby so he or she behaves.
- It is a great sign if the changing table has diapers of different sizes, disposable swaddles, and wet wipes.
- Feeding chairs should be comfortable and spacious so that bags or swaddles can be placed nearby.
- The trash can should be open or be openable without contact.
- There should be both an adult and children’s toilet along with a potty.
- A playpen is needed so that the adult can set the baby down for a while.
- The lighting should be soft and scattered, and there should be good ventilation and heating.
- A microwave can be used to heat food. A safety outlet for bottle warmers is an excellent option.
- A play zone, where toddlers can have fun while parents cater to the baby, is also a good idea.
