Indigo Bulimba

I love your bar. Nothing but great coffee and amazing service. I am a mum of four and have never even considered changing a baby's nappy in a public eating area. The woman who did should be ashamed and I don't support what she did or her shameful behavior after the fact. Hope she enjoys her five minutes of fame. I'll be over later to change my baby's nappy on her dinner table. Gross!

I'm here in support of the owner. I'm a mother too and a new one at that. Despite the stresses of parenthood I have managed to go out and enjoy a cuppa and lunch at many establishments since giving birth 3 months ago and baby has come too. Despite being sleep deprived and managing the household and the baby I still manage to change my baby away from where people are eating. Even if I have to go back to the car and change her on the backseat because there's no bathrooms. I DO NOT say to myself "mums have it hard" and use that as an excuse to change a dirty nappy on a table where people eat! I do not expect others to endure the smell of a dirty nappy as they try and enjoy their lunch. That is a health issue and it's rude. Poo particles would be flying around in the air and that's dangerous. Why would you expose that to other patrons?

I'll make sure to one day visit this establishment and enjoy a cuppa when I can. It sounds like a really nice place to relax.

Just wanted to support the cafe owner on your professionalism in dealing with the negative feedback you received.
Stephanie Plahn - I'm not sure what set of standards you adhere to, but on what planet is it acceptable to change a baby's nappy on a cafe table with people dining nearby? How dare you.
Those people are paying customers.
They are entitled to enjoy their coffee / meal without being subjected to the sight and smell of a nappy being changed.
Not to mention that you were in breach of several food safety / hygiene laws.
You mention that you have to make enough sacrifices as a mother of a newborn, and whilst that is entirely true, why should other people be put out because you chose to have a child?
Grow up, get down from your pedestal and stop being so incredibly selfish and entitled.

Kudos to the cafe owner once again. You handled this situation with much more calm and grace than I would have.

Ms Ridgway the manager is a very considerate person and I commend her for taking the stand she did. Being a parent is difficult but I do not want to eat where someone is changing a nappy. Stephanie, you are a dill! What makes you think it is acceptable to change nappies on a table in a cafe where people consume food? I would hate to see the inside of your home ( let alone eat there) if you believe this is acceptable behaviour. No, I'm not looking for an invitation. I will make the effort to visit this cafe on my next trip in support for the owner/staff.

I am a mother of a beautiful breastfeed (no longer breastfeeding btw) toddler. Although I understand that for most mothers, raising a baby can be difficult and at times you do wish that you can go out and feel like you're are part of the living. I've been there and it's really hard because your child must come first. There have been so many times when I had to excuse my child and I because we have to leave due to conflicting nap times, feed times and of course toilet times. I leave a little heart broken because I really wanted to spend a bit more time relaxing, enjoying my coffee and friends. I commend you for being able to breastfeed in public, kudos to you as I, personally, could never do that, but that is me and in no way is this a reflection to any other mother. So I know what its like when your child interrupts your time. It's not easy and sometimes you just wish to be a little selfish, after all we are human. Having said that, from me to you, one mother to another, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES DO YOU EVER CHANGE A BABY ON A CAFE TABLE. This is disrespectful to the people around you, the Owners and staff of the business AND THE PERSON WHO WILL SIT AT THE TABLE AFTER YOU. You are raising a child now, a future citizen. For the love of the Almighty show some responsibility and RESPECT. For the sake of your child, be a good mother show the child the importance of respect for others as she/he will grow up expecting others to respect him/her. I do not come into your home and start changing my baby, or better yet, poop on your dining table, you DO NOT do that to another person's table, home or business.

Seriously, woman changer of nappies on cafe tables! I would NEVER think of doing such a thing. I don't know anyone who would. Changing nappies is not done near food. Ever! Your sense of entitlement is way overblown. Learn some good, old fashioned manners. Good on the owner of the cafe. I'll certainly pay this business a visit.

5 stars to the owner for not wanting a dirty filthy so called parent to change a baby's dirty nappy on a food table in a public place surrounded by customers! What makes you think Stephanie that this is ok? Or didn't you think . You have no,right to do that in any place of business set up especially for food! Did you miss that big park across the road where you could,have changed your child in peace away from customers! Normal people,would,have done that. I cant believe someone could do that to a business. Its like taking a dump,there yourself. Show some respect and hygiene ! We have all been parents in situations but 99% of us wouldn't even dream to do,what you did. Absolutely disgusting.... will now try this coffee shop in the near future for all the good reviews Ive read. We live in a civilised society I thought ,not in the jungle

Just read about the drama that happened in this cafe whilst in cold and chilly London. I am team cafe in this instance. Others have articulated the obvious so I will add the following.

In around 2012, there was outrage at Coda Restaurant in Melbourne as an article in The Age made it look like restaurant refused service to a couple with a baby. Intrigued, I made a booking at Coda for a long boozy lunch and after enjoying wonderful service and great food, I asked them about the article in The Age, as it appeared to be another wowzer article. The manager was happy to tell the story. It would seem that a lady turned up for dinner service without a booking and the restaurant was packed. She asked for a table for two and the manager who I was speaking with informed her that she could squeeze in two people. So she dutifully went outside to get her partner and a super-pram and the baby. The manager immediately said that the pram and baby could not be accommodated as it would have to be parked in front of the fire exit or in the main thoroughfare of the restaurant which would impede service let alone diners from being able to move around. It was then this "mother" accused the restaurant of not only ruining their night but also complained online and to the press. It is yet another case of selfishness and entitlement where a small portion of "mothers" think they can pull the selfish card and make everyone accommodate them. If this woman said that she had two adults and one pram with child to begin with, it would have been explained there is not enough room, but no, there was outrage.

So much like the busy professional that works around ten hours per day and commutes, they do not turn up at the coffee shop and start to clip their toenails because they are just so time poor. The vast majority of society would know that is not acceptable even though there is no sign saying not to clip your toenails on the cafe floor. There are also people who have a relationship on the side and must see their mistress/mister at lunch. They don't turn up at the coffee shop and make out at the table over coffee or have intercourse in the toilet as the vast majority would not consider that acceptable either. If you have a pet rat, you don't take it into the coffee shop and let it run around on the table as most realise that is not acceptable either.

So kudos to the coffee shop! This time sensitive mother who would have paid $2.50 to sit on a coffee for two hours, ultimately would have alienated customers, many of which wouldn't want to return knowing that selfish individuals change their nappies on the tables and management doesn't care, which is the complete opposite. I am so pleased that this cafe got this publicity for all of the right reasons and the vast majority of the public agrees (why three people 'liked' her review and her tirade are mentally ill it would seem) and it gives me hope for society that decency prevails. Well done Park Bench Espresso Bar!

To the lady that changes a dirt nappy in a cafe. Stop it. Its dirty and rude and people do not pay good money to watch you do that. I have two children and never felt i had to do this! good god woman get off your backside and find a baby changing room! Well done to those that supported the owner. Common sense prevails!

Exceptional Service, full support to the owners. Will this silly woman compensate you when the health department fine you for nappy changing in a cafe.... I think not. I will order from you and pay and donate it to someone less fortunate of your choice as I'm in Melbourne. No-one should have their business turned into a circus by a millennial. RESPECT to the owners for standing strong.

As a member of the public who enjoys good food and service I applaud the actions of the owner. Why should we as respectful people put up with other people's selfishness. I would have thought a mother would be more aware of health and hygiene. Obviously not. Stephanie Plahn better not be heading back to work as I doubt anyone would hire such an irresponsible person.

Honestly horrified that some self-entitled woman things she can change her baby's nappy in your beautiful cafe where people are eating and drinking. Good on you for dealing with the situation so well and good riddance to this pathetic customer. If I saw someone changing a nappy beside me as I was eating I would certainly say something too. Full support you guys. Stand strong.

I haven't been yet but I certainly will, as a show of support to the owners and staff of this cafe. While I'm sure they have it covered, I'll be bringing some anti-bac wipes, just in case some other clueless, self-important, overly-entitled parent thinks changing a baby's nappy on a cafe table is an okay thing to do. Seriously, hygiene 101: faeces and food do not mix. EVER. And how dare she impose that on other diners. I'm glad to read she won't be back. Maybe she could post a list of the places she actually does attend so we can all avoid them ... or they can ban her and her baby poo.

Great coffee guys!

On another note:
Pretty sure changing a soiled nappy in any area that serves food is actually an occupational health and safety breach.

I can't even smoke on the footpath in front of the cafe because the smell might irate somebody.
but this lady thinks it's perfectly fine to change a shi*ty nappy at her table while other customers are trying to have a nice lunch. Only to be rudely interrupted by the foul secent of faeces.
Not to mention how unhygienic it would be.

To the mother who changed the nappy on the table. You have no valid reason to do so. Good on the cafe for kicking you out.
People are trying to eat and they don't need your baby's fecal matter in the air around them. How filthy of you. Next time be considerate of others.

You, Stephanie Plahn, are a repulsive whiner. Not only do you have the audacity to change your infant's feces-filled nappy inside a cafe and on top of a table, but you complain when the management tells you to stop? I don't care how tired you are, whether or not you breastfeed or how little you get out. You chose to reproduce, and that is your problem. Don't ruin the cafe for everyone with your entitlement and outright disgusting behavior. You should be banned from ever going out in public. Yuck, yuck and yuck!

Haven't been to this cafe, but certainly will now. Thanks Stephanie Plahn, I learned two things today, where great coffee and cafe management are, and that there are always going to be self-righteous morons out there who think life is all about them. Please let someone else guide Kirra about etiquette and general hygiene when she starts her toddler years? Facebook helped me confirm who you are- notice also the complainant works in Mental health and appears to be a yank. Figures. Thanks again!

Stephanie Plahn -- what about all the potential hygiene issues that you expose other people to? I understand your predicament, but I'm sure with better planning you could enjoy a coffee in an establishment with the appropriate nappy-changing facilities. I think you owe this small business owner and apology.

Ew ew ew. This is in response to Stephanies review. As a mother of 5 I couldn't possibly imagine any human being wanting to eat at a table a deluded woman thought she could change her babies bottom on. As a firm supporter of woman being able to breastfeed where ever they like this is nowhere near the same thing. Wth is wrong with you Stephanie? What on earth would make anormal human being think that was ok. It's not ok and it's not on? Why don't i leave some dirty nappies on your dinner table before you serve it up and see how you would feel. Good grief you are putting mothers everywhere to shame. Thank goodness you won't be going back. That poor cafe owner, if I were her I would of thrown you out. How disgusting and clueless can you get!
Do not taint mothers with your ridiculous excuses. There is no excuses for that behaviour and no mother would do that who had a clear and decent mind. Yuck. I hope your friends don't go over to your house for a dinner party. I certainly wouldn't after reading that trollop.

I am a mother to a 5 month old boy. We've had a really rough few months and meeting up with fellow mum's for coffee is my one lifeline every week. I will feed my son (breast fed) whilst out if needed and if he needs changing will also do so. That being said, I would never ever change him on a table. We either use the pram (positioned so patrons can't see), the front car seat or my lap (if it's just wet). It's unhygienic to change your baby on a table where people eat. Also, part of the vaccine schedule in Australia is a vaccination for Rotavirus. We have been told both times bub has had this to be mindful when changing dirty nappies as we can get sick for up to a week after he's had the vaccine. If her baby had been vaccinated within the past week she could have made other people ill. Not to mention other viruses etc. It is just inconsiderate to do what she did!