Nervous to buy just a dresser w/no changing table

tml0701

Has anyone done this? I have heard that you should buy a changing table with 4 side rails so when I see a dresser with just a changing pad on it I am a little reluctant. ?I also heard that people wish their changing tables were in the opposite direction because it is easier to change babies from them their feet rather than their side. Any suggestions/advice?

mk_4_mk

We bought the Malm dresser from IKEA plus the piece of glass they have for the top of it and we just put the changing pad on top. I LOVE it because eventually we will buy DS a Malm bed when he is ready for a "Big Boy" bed and we won't have to replace the dresser. A changing table is used for such a short time in the scheme of things. I am really glad that we just got the dresser. I keep everything right there so I don't have to walk away with DS unattended.

HTH!

maramarrie

we are using a dresser with a changing pad on top. I didn't want to have just a changing table taking up space when I don't think it would be as useful after the baby is out of diapers. The dresser is useful for years and years to come. The changing pad has straps that attach to the back of the dresser and if the baby is never left unattended anyhow (as it shouldn't be no matter where you change it) then you don't have to worry about not having the 4 sides. That said, I've seen dressers for sale that you can buy edges for (adds edges along all 4 sides about 2.5-3 inches tall) that attach to the top. I think PBK might sell these edge pieces, but I'm not sure if they are universal or if they would only fit their dressers--it would probably depend on the size/style of dresser you buy.

thepopkins

With my first i bought a changing table but with this one I bought a dresser with just a changing pad on top. I don't have a nervous feeling about it- you just have to make sure you keep at least one hand on a wiggly baby

soontobejesseng

I agree with pps.  You should never not be right there when changing your child, so having 4 sides around the pad isn't a neccessity.  We'll just put a pad on a dresser, keeping diapers & wipes, etc. right in it so they are reachable if baby has a bigger suprise than we were prepared for! 

e_b_r

I had asked all my mom friends and cousins about this, and they all agree that the changing table is a waste. Every one of them recommended using the dresser top.

kenandlaura06

Everyone I talked to said the changing table is a waste of money...we went with the dresser and are planning on putting the changing pad on top.  Rails aren't necessary as you should be w/ baby at all times.

thepopkins

my changing pad came with screws to screw into the back of the dresser.  you can also put a non-skid pad underneath to keep it from moving.

amhough

Not only are we just using a dresser, we have managed to acquire everything we need in the nursery second hand or from thrift shops, it's a pretty eclectic look, but we like it.  I wouldn't even consider buying a changing table, I'm convinced that it's a total marketing gimick.  Women have been changing babies for CENTURIES without them!

CanadianGurl

We just bought a dresser with a changetable pad that attached by screwing on a tab from behind. No rails. We change him from the side no problem. But then, that's the way we've always done it, and he's our first child, so I suppose we've never known better. We bought a solid wood crib that will convert into a double bed and a matching dresser (instead of a changetable) to save money on baby stuff that is used for such a short amount of time and instead invest the money into pieces of furniture he'll have for longer. I wouldn't worry about the side rails. As long as you have 1 hand on DC at all times (which you probably should anyways), you should be fine.

Mrs.V.

We bought a regular dresser, but then went and bought the changing table topper from The Land of Nod in a matching stain.  It provides a little more structure than just having the changing pad sitting on the dresser top, but when we're no longer needing diapers, we can just take the topper off and use it as a dresser.

energyzer

We just used a changing pad on top of a dresser and it worked out great!  The changing pad was contoured though so it worked similarly to having rails.  It also had a strap that you could use to attach your baby to it in case you needed to grab something or take your hand off. The changing pad was attached to the back of the dresser with industrial strength snaps.  It worked fine and made the dresser a very versatile piece of furniture.

 -S