Ask a STM week of August 13

disneybaby84

First time moms asking second time mom's any and all questions!

s2604

Hi all! My DH and I live in a two-story rowhome that is only 1300 sq.ft. Everyone we know who has babies has a separate changing station on each floor (even if it’s just changing supplies in a caddy.) I know babies come with lots of “stuff,” but we are trying to limit excess since we do live in a smaller space. My question is: Do you think it’s unrealistic for us to plan to go upstairs and change the baby in the nursery every time? TIA!

okayestmom12

@steph2604 - In the beginning, yes, I'd plan to have a set up on both floors. You don't know how your labor/ delivery will go and say you end up w/ a c-section... you'll be restricted from doing stairs for a bit.  I'd do what you mentioned - supplies in a caddy that you can stick wherever out of sight when you don't need it.  

disneybaby84

@steph2604 my last baby, we lived in a one bedroom apartment. In the bedroom we had a changing pad on the dresser, then in the living room, the pack and play with the changing table and bassinet on top and used that in the living room. It was worth it, when the diapers were explosive, or if one of us was sleeping in the bedroom. 

conchispita

@steph2604 you won’t want to go up stairs every time. All you need are a few diapers, wipes, butt cream, hand sanitizer, and a swaddle or changing pad in a decorative box that won’t attract attention. Doesn’t require much more than that.

bananster1

I thought the same with my first but quickly realized I wasn’t toting myself and baby upstairs for every diaper change. We used the PnP changer for a while, but eventually bought a tiny change table for the first floor. I still use it for my DD and will use it again with this kiddo. 

We also use the the bottom shelves to store her diaper bag and I put little hooks on the side for her coats. Multi purpose table.  

wifemomme

I definitely second having at least a few diapers and some wipes handy in the areas of the house that you are going to be the most. It shouldn't add any real extra expense.

I do want to add that changing tables are entirely a matter of preference and not a necessity. I prefer to sit on the floor to change diapers (even when I'm 9 months pregnant with the next one.) My husband will change diapers on a bed so he doesn't have to be on the floor. I would definitely put a changing table on the wait to buy list. You might decide that you really want one, or be perfectly content without it.

kayjay44

FWIW we love our changing table. We live in a one-story house, so we don't have stair issues, but we only use the changing table at home. Even with our son who is over two, we still use the changing table. I think I'm in the minority on this one but I hate changing diapers on the floor and don't want to do it on a bed unless we're at someone's house and that's the only option.

BourbonBiscuits

I love our changing table too. It’s just more comfortable for me to have him at waist height rather than bending over him on the floor. Feels like I get a better view when cleaning that booty. 

allthingsgo

I also love our changing table and prefer
it over the floor or bed. It’s just more comfortable for me and keeps her from rolling away/getting up and running off. 

danixbanani24

I live in an apt so I can’t say much about it other than I think it’ll be a good idea to get a diaper caddy or something to hold your supplies on the first floor 

kayjay44

I will say, you don't need a stand alone changing table. We have a changing pad attached to a dresser that works perfectly.

kayjay44

I will say, you don't need a stand alone changing table. We have a changing pad attached to a dresser that works perfectly.

kayjay44

I will say, you don't need a stand alone changing table. We have a changing pad attached to a dresser that works perfectly.

cas060

@kayjay44, that's my plan. stick a pad on top of the dresser!

ThePax89

@steph2604 you can do diaper changes upstairs for sure. I’m going to sound like a total third time Mom here, but I just change my kids on a pad on the floor at that age, if most convenient.  

lifeislove87

We have boxes of diaper supplies everywhere, I just change where is most convenient. I also hate change tables and will change on a pad on the couch/floor/bed etc 

Omie_Wise

Our house is about 1400 sq feet and I do take my son upstairs to his nursery to change him for every diaper change. I always have. We do cloth diaper, though, so the diaper has to go up there regardless. I don't think it's a big deal to walk upstairs. 

etnyah

I’m relieved to hear a changing table isn’t a must. H wants to hold off on sacrificing his home office and turning it into a nursery for as long as possible, and that’s the only place a changing table would even fit. Our bedroom is big enough for a bassinet and some storage, so all the baby stuff will be in there for a while. Our bathroom is tiny, so that’s not an option.

lifeislove87

@Omie_Wise, we cloth diaper too!! Come February I’ll have two in cloth

kayjay44

We used to CD - not anymore. Two people working 60 - 80 hours a week is not conducive to CDing.

notthecheat

@steph2604

Upstairs was the nursery with the legit changing table and pad. For downstairs we just kept the diaper bag stocked by the door and used that- the thin portable changing pad on the floor. Did not take up much space and made life much easier.

notthecheat

Our changing table was actually a desk. We stuck supplies in the drawers and boxes of diapers and wipes in the space where the chair goes. We covered the top with one of those rubber mats you put under carpets to keep from sliding then put the changing pad on top of that. Worked like a charm. Now that DD is potty trained we use it as an actual desk

Omie_Wise

@lifeislove87 Yes, we will have two in fluff as well! 

I am actually going to set up a second changing table situation in our bedroom upstairs where the baby will sleep. My plan is to get another Keekaroo pad to put on top of my dresser. I like having a dedicated space.