How tall does a dresser need to be to use as changing table (to avoid back strain)?

I'm 5'5" and my husband is 5'11" and we are hoping to use a dresser we already have for a changing table. However, I don't know if it's tall enough to avoid back strain.

Does anyone know if there's a standard measurement that is recommended? I realize it probably depends on the person's height, but I just thought I'd check...

Thanks!

[pl71]

I have a true changing table and it's 39" high. I'm 5'5" and that's a very comfortable height for me. I think anything from about 34-45" would be okay.

[mmaimp]

It seems like most changing tables are around 36-38 inches tall. I have the changing pad on a shorter dresser and the salesman who sold me the furniture tried to talk me into a taller dresser but I'm short (5'0") and have no problem with the shorter height.

[blueeyedb]

We use a changing pad on a dresser for our DS. The dresser we are using in 30" high. I'm 5'6" and my husband is 5'11" and it works perfectly for us. In fact, we are looking for another 30" high dresser for baby #2's room right now!

[C99]

One way to test it out is to lean over it for 5 minutes at a time and see what happens. I'm 5'8" and my DH is 6'5" (we are both shrinking!) and we used a chest of drawers that is about 4' tall as a base for a changing pad.

[klwa]

I seem to remember hearing that a changing table should be above hip height & below breast height to avoid most back pain. I'm 5'-6" and we use a fairly tall book shelf as ours, which is a bit too high for me (hits right at chest level), but it works. I agree with the PP who said to stand over it bent over for a few minutes to see. That's the only way you'll really know. Just remember that if you add a changing pad that you're adding an inch or two to the height.
-Kris