Talk to me about changing table safety straps (please)...

jena5595 · January 2014

We're working on setting up our changing table, and maybe I'm overthinking this... but the safety restraint straps have me all confused. We have the Larkin dresser & changing topper from PBK, and the wooden topper has a restraint strap, as does the changing pad. It doesn't look like the first strap attaches to the pad and wouldn't be long enough to work over the pad. The pad's strap would be fine, but it would really just attach the baby to the pad vs. the baby & pad to the actual piece of furniture - which seems inherently safer. (Checked the instructions that came with the thing, and all it showed me was how to use the buckle - gee thanks PBK!)

After taking to google, it looks like some advocate not using the strap at all, so I was hoping to get an idea of how some of you handle it. Do you use the strap(s)? If so, does your strap attach the baby just to the pad, or to the actual furniture?

elittler · January 2014

As long as you're not leaving the baby alone on the table you really won't use it. Keep diapers, wipes, etc. within arms reach.

By the time your little one is wiggling and seems like they need to be strapped down you won't use the changing table anymore and will change diapers on the floor or elsewhere for better control.

olga1311 · January 2014

Dd is 3 months and I have never used the safety strap.

AKB090609 · January 2014

We skipped the straps, by the time DD moved enough to need a restraint we gave up and were changing her on a travel mat on the floor. Edit: stupid auto correct

LittleFish1 · January 2014

Used to baby sit a lot. There were a few kids I would strap (even with always keeping one hand on the child; they just wiggled a lot). With my LO, she is pretty good at staying still (& is on the lighter side) so we are still having her on the changing table. But we NEVER leave her unattended nor turn a back on her while she's on it.

Around 3 months got wiggly & did changes on changing pad on the floor a few times but then she settled more & was back on changing table.

lindslalala · January 2014

I cut the straps off our changing pad. DS has never fallen off the dresser we change him on(knock on wood).

azzyberry · January 2014

My changing pad has a strap that goes around the baby and then a shorter strap that you are supposed to attach to the back of the dresser.

That said, I have never used it with either of my kids. We didn't attach the pad to the dresser and I have never use the strap around my kids. I didn't find it necessary and never had any issues with them falling off, etc.

IMO, I think it can give parents a false sense of security. I never left my kids unattended on the changing table or stepped away for even a second, and I never had an issue.