While I changed my kid anywhere that worked, we used the changing pad on top of her dresser every day, multiple times a day. For the longest time, that's where she was dressed every day. We had 6 covers and that was plenty. We used ours for dressing her until she was over a year old because it was easy and she's a peanut. Stopped using it to change her when she got wiggly during changes.
Micropreemie, IUGR mom to Noah, born 10 weeks early at 1lb, 10oz. Grace born 02/2012
I'm a FTM and I didn't know if I would use it either so my step mom went with me to pick out things I would need. We came across this crib (picture included) and the changing table is included with it and it is a front facing changing table, I was told I would probably like it a lot better than having to do everything sideways. The only bad thing I've ever heard of being a pain was having to change a baby from the side instead of the front.
Front facing is nice, but you'll do just fine sideways too - it's not hard.
Micropreemie, IUGR mom to Noah, born 10 weeks early at 1lb, 10oz. Grace born 02/2012
Re: how much do you use changing pads on top of a dresser for babies