View Full Version : Do I need a changing table
poletskim
01-19-2009, 09:54 PM
I had planned on just using the top of a dresser as a changing table, but after talking with my mom, she raised an interesting point. . . babies don't hold still. I had just planned to plunk down a changing pad on top of the dresser. She said that if I could keep one hand on the baby at all times, it wouldn't be such a big deal, but I can envision forgetting something, JUST ONCE, and having disaster follow. I suppose she is envisioning something that sort of corrals the baby in so she can't wiggle off the table.
So, what kind of containment device do you folks think I'd need? I mean, I could have my husband build me a "box" or something. The do it yourself changing station that Lowes has plans for, http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Build/babychangestation.html didn't look like it would contain baby that well.
Or do I just need a changing area that is so well stocked that I don't forget anything and never have a need to take one hand off the baby?
Welcome to BBB! :)
To answer your question...NOPE. :) I didn't buy one for DS, d/t limited space, and never felt the need to buy one for either DDs. My kids have been MAJOR wigglers and I, personally, wouldn't feel comfortable with them being on a table, even if they are strapped in. I just have a contoured pad on the floor with a chamois or terry cover. It has really worked out well for us...for 6 years. :)
Congratulations and good luck with the planning. :)
jgenie
01-19-2009, 10:22 PM
I have a contoured changing pad on top of a short dresser. It came with hardware to attach it to the back of the dresser for safety. The dresser has 4 drawers - two small ones on top and two long drawers below. One top drawer has pampers the other has ointments, towels and such. We have a wipe warmer on top of the dresser. I always take out a pamper before lying DS down. It has worked fine for us.
The changing pad has a safety belt, but I never depend on it.
HTH
SnuggleBuggles
01-19-2009, 10:26 PM
I wouldn't trust *anything* if baby was even briefly unattended above floor level. I have seen amazing baby gymnastics and wouldn't trust it even if it had sides. I just, in fact, changed ds2 on a changing table with raised sides today and wouldn't feel comfortable with turning away. Even changing pads with straps are inadequate. Yo u are right, what you need is a changing area that is organized and ready to go or change the baby on the floor.
We did use ds2's Pack n Play bassinet as a changing table till he outgrew it by weight. That was nice because he was so corralled that it was ok to leave him (down like 6+" and not able to sit up yet). After that we used the PnP's changing table attachment. Now we use both the changing table we bought cheap at Ikea or the floor.
GL!! I don't think I would build the Lowe's contraption unless you love it. It is pretty clever but it doesn't seem that stable.
Beth
BeachBum
01-19-2009, 10:30 PM
Our dresser was made with a changing table top piece. (It can be taken off later).
This top does not keep the baby from rolling off--but does keep the pad itself contained.
My downstairs changing area is our dry bar. It doesn't have a lip (it's just the countertop) and I don't feel nearly as secure there.
If your hubby could build a lip type thing for your primary area I think it would be helpful / worth it.
Staraglimmer
01-19-2009, 11:05 PM
When DD was first born, I had this
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/45568900
on my dresser. It was a lifesaver! It came clean with a baby whips. It was soft enough to change her on, and I liked not changing her on the bed because of accidents. It worked well until she started rolling over and fighting us.
I also industrial strength velcroed a contoured changing pad to her little dresser. But now we usually use the floor!
alirebco
01-19-2009, 11:09 PM
We had the changing pad on top of the dresser for the first 6 months and then moved the changing pad to the floor after that. DS would roll and was just too squirmy and a changing table wouldn't have helped. I still wouldn't purchase one as I think they have limited use and I prefer the dresser for storage space.
WatchingThemGrow
01-19-2009, 11:10 PM
We like using the top of the dresser b/c we have a drawer and another container dedicated to the "stuff" of changing. The contoured pad works well, but you can't ever leave a baby on it to go get anything. Our main pad is flat, but our "topper" is a wooden piece with a flat pad. I like that one your DH can build.
KrisM
01-19-2009, 11:12 PM
We used one for the first 2 kids and then got rid of it for #3. It was fine to have and worked. Now, we have the changing pad on the counter in our bathroom. We have a big Sterlite drawer thing underneath for diapers. Mostly, I now change on the floor in the living room.
jenny
01-19-2009, 11:33 PM
We bought the Ikea Leksvik dresser, http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70034191
We put a changing pad on top of the dresser and there's a small amount of room to keep a thing of diaper wipes next to the changing pad.
I also have a smaller dresser next to the Ikea one that I put my diapers on in a basket.
AngelaS
01-20-2009, 08:35 AM
I used a contoured changing pad on top of a dresser for all of my girls. I changed them on it until they were each potty trained--it's very sturdy. :) I kept all the supplies in the drawers so I never had to step away and I never had one fall off of it. :) I used a long dresser and that way I had room on top of the dresser for the baby wipes.
Melbel
01-20-2009, 09:18 AM
We used a contoured changing pad on top of a dresser for all 3 DC. With DD2, we also use the raised changing table on our pack and play downstairs, which has room for diapers/wipes, is a great height and is contoured. I concur with other posters that you should not leave baby unattended regardless of whether you have a changing table. Wiggly babies are undeterred by a small lip or flimsy strap.
hellokitty
01-20-2009, 12:18 PM
I just used a contoured changing pad on an Ikea dresser as well and it worked out great. Now I am using that dresser for craft supplies and I think this time I will take it one step further and just use the changing pad on the floor instead of using any kind of dresser The countour pads are very nice. I got mine at Target for only about $20.
ahrimie
01-20-2009, 01:00 PM
I don't have a changing table. Instead, I use a changing pad and put it on the ground. Changing a diaper high up just gave me anxiety..JUST in case she fell or I did something wrong, etc. Now, my babe is wiggly and crawls around while I'm trying to change her diaper so I'm glad we've always done it on the ground. I kind of have to chase her around but I prefer that to worrying about it on a changing table.
slworld
01-20-2009, 04:38 PM
Since you can never leave a baby unattended, I guess you don't need a changing table and can just use a dresser or countertop or any other sturdy surface (of course the best option is on the floor especially as they get older). We put a contoured pad on the bathroom countertop with the wipes container right next to it and diapers in the drawer below. In the living room, we change him in the PNP since it is still in the basinette setting. Recently I have started just changing him on the floor since he is wriggling a lot, but MIL cannot sit on the floor (due to arthritis) so she still uses the pad and basinette.
poletskim
01-20-2009, 08:47 PM
Thanks for all the replies. I was kind of figuring the same thing, but it is always nice to hear from experts.
I'm a little bummed, however, to hear how great the floor works for many of you. That is the one option that will not work. I have a very good dog who would want to help...although that would eliminate the need for wipes :wink2:
vludmilla
01-20-2009, 08:59 PM
I don't think you need a changing table. A dresser and pad should work just fine. I wouldn't consider those little "lips" much of a deterrent to falling off. Many changing tables these days aren't much more than a dresser.
Mommy_Mea
01-20-2009, 09:21 PM
I am planning on using an IKEA dresser with the contoured pad, secured with industrial strength velcro. From what I can tell, the tray on most changing tables is to hold the pad, not that baby. If the baby is too wiggly, to the floor he/she will go for changing!! :-) HTH!
We have a contour pad on top of a dresser. I put a nonslip mat under & it's also bolted to the back of the dresser & it doesn't move. DD is very wiggly at this age & she'll flip over but it's not hard to keep her on (she's NEVER unattended). Lately we've been doing standing-up changes (DH still prefers the changing table).
kijip
01-20-2009, 11:11 PM
We were planning to set up a changing table but it took up too much dang precious floor real estate in our room (no nursery- baby will be in with us until he moves into to share with his big brother). So I set up a pad on top of our Ikea Hemmes low and long dresser. It works just fine. Glue some non-slip rubbery padding on the bottom of the pad if that helps you. As for forgetting something just once---set up everything in reach in great quantities and once baby is mobile, you just plain don't walk away even for a split second. Forget something? Baby comes with you. Like Angela, I use the drawers immediately below for all the baby supplies and like that it is long. We have baby scale (baby is gaining somewhat slowly), then wipes and various accesories and then changing pad. Plenty of room. That said, my older son launched off his changing table once...no lasting damage, no emergency room visit. ;)
I know some people go without a dedicated changing spot but I like having everything in one spot and being able to stand up during changes, vs being hunched over on the bed or floor. Also, I prefer that a diaperless induced pee (I swear 1/2 the time Finn pees is when I take off his diaper) not mandate changing the bed sheets. Who has time for extra laundry with a newborn?
alirebco
01-21-2009, 12:01 AM
Thanks for all the replies. I was kind of figuring the same thing, but it is always nice to hear from experts.
I'm a little bummed, however, to hear how great the floor works for many of you. That is the one option that will not work. I have a very good dog who would want to help...although that would eliminate the need for wipes :wink2:
We have a dog and change on the floor in DS's room. It has never been an issue. I normally close the door when we do the changing so she doesn't get in the way. I woldn't let that deter you since once babies get more mobile, it is nearly impossible to change them on a raised surface.
jetrlw
01-21-2009, 01:45 AM
We used a changing pad on top of a dresser that was secured to the back of the dresser. DD is 18 months and a wiggler and we still use it with little problem. I do advise that you have all the necessary changing supplies at your fingertips and ready before you put the baby on the changing table. I like having DD at waist level as I do not like bending over to change diaper. It is also helpful to have something over the changing area to distract baby while you are changing them. I have an alphabet/number quilt (Cocalo Alphabet Soup) above the dresser and DD loves to stare at the prints. Now we use it to practice her ABC's and 123's. Great double duty!! Good luck!
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