Changing Table or No?

jstone03 · June 2009

My first baby ... I'm about to order furniture for the baby's room and can't decide if a changing table is necessary... My mom and good friend say they never had one and just changed babies on the bed so they could spread out. But of course all nursery pictures have a changing table so I can't decide. Any experienced mommies out there with input?? Did you use one or is it just a waste of space?? thanks!

merjmm · June 2009

I couldn't imagine not having a changing table.

dansozzi · June 2009

I am just putting a changing pad over my long dresser! ?I use to change my DD on a bed just like your mom said. ??

gris~gris · June 2009

I would say no, not necessary. But, I would insist on something that is tall enough so I'm not always bent over changing the baby.

Goldenmomma · June 2009

We aren't doing one. We bought the Hemmes dresser from Ikea (AWESOME, by the way) and have the changing pad on top of that.

groovygrl · June 2009

ditto pp's- i think using a low dresser as a changing table is the best use of money, you have a surface to change on and when you don't need it anymore, it's just a dresser. I don't think I'd buy a separate changing table unless you really had the space. I have ?friend who got one for their downstairs guest bedroom so she would have something on the 1st floor & has been really happy with it (but she got it on craigs list for cheap) but I think that is a different situation.?

JCM083009 · June 2009

A changing table was important to me, but not one that was JUST a changing table. We're doing a dresser of that height that is on the longer side so we can put a changing pad on top and use that. That way, after we're done using the changing table aspect of it, it's not rendered totally useless. I think a lot of parents are doing that these days.

TeamRey · June 2009

I plan on just getting a dresser that is short enough to put a changing pad on rather then having something that is just a changing table.

Ridgebackmom · June 2009

You absolutely need 1 or even 2 depending on your house. I have an actual changing table in her room and use her playpen w/ changer downstairs.

If you don't want an actual table use a dresser with a changing pad on top. I like this one...

https://tinyurl.com/lec2q7

Mrs.Foreste · June 2009

We just put a changing pad on her dresser instead of having a separate "changing table".

CDCbaby · June 2009

We're doing the same that everyone else seems to be saying. We're buying a nice dresser that could grow with the child or even end up in a guest bedroom in our house (the one we're looking at could even be used as a buffet in a dining room!) Anyway, we'll just put a changing pad on top of that and then we're not stuck with a piece of furniture that can only be a changing table!

My brother and SIL just used a bed as a changing table with my niece, and I baby-sat her a lot and leaning over to the bed got annoying after awhile!!

ljlkm · June 2009

I'm doing the low dresser with the changing pad on top. But, honestly, I'm only doing it because DH really wanted it. If I'd had my way, we'd have bought a tall chest of drawers instead of a low dresser (not enough room for both) and I'd have changed DS wherever (which, honestly, is probably what's going to happen anyway).

jstone03 · June 2009

This is what I'm thinking too. A tall dresser with more drawers will probably be more useful and I'm afraid I'll end up changing the baby on the bed anyway. Those changing table tops that go on top of the low dressers look so narrow and awkward.

WheelerToBe · June 2009

I always just use the floor because sometime the baby puts up a fight and can roll out of your hands(when they are like 5-10 months). I used my daughter's bassinet as a changing table when she stop sleeping it in at 3 months and it was great because I didn't have to worry about her pulling her legs out of my hands. Which they will do. I have a daycare and every baby tries to escape and changing on a low dresser seemed dangerous to me.

LadyRed7 · June 2009

Mrs.Foreste:
We just put a changing pad on her dresser instead of having a separate "changing table".

this is what we are doing. We figure we may as well get something that can be used beyond the diaper years.

shari_rngleson · June 2009

i dont know what i would do without my changing table! i use it all the time!....not to mention the fact that my dd LOVEs to lay on it even when she is not dirty. i just buckle her on it while i fold laundry in there and she is happy for an hour! i have no idea why she likes this- i think it is a height thing...she loves to be up high. i have heard a lot of other babies just enjoy laying on the table too

MrsWanee · June 2009

i'm using the top of the baby's dresser. an additional changing table is a waste of space and something you will only use for about 2 years.

cstw · June 2009

I'm using a dresser with a changing pad on it.

somethingchangd · June 2009

I'm really glad we bought a separate changing table, not only for changing him on (which we have done for every single diaper) but for the storage. I have a long, low dresser, but it's full of blankets and clothes. I have shelves under my changing table with baskets holding all kinds of random stuff that wouldn't have a home otherwise. And my table has a long, thin drawer that we keep our diapers in. Don't know where I would put all that stuff if I just used my dresser.

KatiKM · June 2009

I have been researching the same thing, and I guess think that just putting a changing pad on a regular sized dresser is good enough, because what do you do with the changing table after the fact? So I think we will be using the bed or top of the dresser

Emcat1980@yahoo.com · June 2009

I started out with a highboy dresser (too high to change him on) and no changing table. I also figured out I'd change him "anywhere". That worked for a bit but I ended up getting an actual changing table from my sister in law and I love having it. We cloth diaper and it's great to have everything in one spot. We have 2 shelves underneath it with all the diapers/creams/etc along with space for more storage. I am really glad I got one; it's very convenient.

Blueyedgrl · June 2009

Honestly its not a need, it would be a want...but its not a want of mine, with dd I always used the bed to change her...and it will probably be the same with this one, I did get a long dresser that a pad could go on if needed but I just see it as a waste..

ruthie oct3 · June 2009

we're doing a long dresser with a changing pad on top.

kursem · June 2009

i ended up with the one that matches my crib, but only because it was inexpensive and i couldn't find a dresser i liked to match the room. I figure since it was like $90 bucks, even if i only use it for a year I'll get our money's worth out of it, and I can look for a dresser then

I think it's really a preference thing. I'm just anal-retentive and wanted a nice place to organize all of Emma's 'products' LOL.

HunterMomma · June 2009

I would say no.

I put a pad on a desk with those rubber cabinet stoppers underneath to keep it from sliding. They only use it up high for a few months before the baby starts rolling all over and has to be changed on the floor.

braveangel2 · June 2009

I have a changing table, but my friend didn't, so I know it's possible to do without. She just changes her kiddo on the floor of her home. Personally, my back couldn't handle it, and in our one-story home, it just made sense to have one. We ended up having the dresser combo and regular changing table, and decided to use the dresser combo to actually change her diaper. The pad fit more snug and the clothes were within arms reach. The other piece we use for her books, extra diapers and baskets of toys, nursing supplies, receiving blankets, etc.

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