A question for experienced mommies...

kikijones · July 2010

In reading posts it seems many of you have older children so I thought I could get a good answer from y'all.

We're expecting our first child and I'm trying to figure out what I need versus what's expected to get for our first baby. My question is whether a changing table/dresser/station is really needed?

We recently babysat our 9 month old niece and since we don't have any baby gear we changed her on the floor. Since she is 9 months she was so much more squirmy and strong then a newborn, so I was wondering whether the stations were helpful once they get older. I couldn't imagine trying to keep her on an elevated surface when she was flipping and wriggling around, so I thought a changing station might be worthless after awhile. Thanks for the advice Smile

Whirlgirl01 · July 2010

We had the same thoughts you have now. So we opted for puting that curved changing pad on top of a low dresser. That way, when we're done with it, we can just remove the pad. She's two now and we still use it.

Spenjamins · July 2010

I LOVE our changing table although a pad and a dresser would have worked fine. Doing the changes on a bed or a floor will kill your back and it is a pain when the poops get bigger!

shannm · July 2010

We still use our changing pad and table even though he is over three feet tall! Ditto PP about hurting your back and changing big messes. Being able to stand and work at table height is key for me. Our table is basically a dresser with a little removable extra drawer piece on top. It will be his dresser when we are ready to give up the changing pad.

kikijones · July 2010

The curved pads are the type that don't attach, just foam and a cover? So how do you negotiate the wiggles? My fear is that the baby could fall to the floor. Just curious. Thanks!

aocain02@yahoo.com · July 2010

kikijones:
The curved pads are the type that don't attach, just foam and a cover? So how do you negotiate the wiggles? My fear is that the baby could fall to the floor. Just curious. Thanks!

We use a changing pad on top of the dresser and it works fine. DS is now extremely squirmy during diaper changes and rolls so there is no more running to the closet to get something real quick. When he gets a little bigger we'll just change him on the floor and have extra room on the dresser.

aglenn · July 2010

We had our changing pad on top of a low dresser and it was definitely easier when she was a newborn than trying to get up and down off the floor, but now DD is way too wiggly. She pretty much instantly flops over when I put her on her back, so we moved the changing pad to the floor (and still have to chase her around to change her diaper, but that is another story). So, my advice would be to use something with a dual purpose (like a dresser) versus a changing table by itself.

The_Jen626 · July 2010

I bought a dresser and put a curved changing pad on top, it's perfect height. DD is 15 months old, and I still use it daily.

kikijones:
The curved pads are the type that don't attach, just foam and a cover? So how do you negotiate the wiggles? My fear is that the baby could fall to the floor. Just curious. Thanks!

The wiggles...you just hold on to them. my DD is very squirmy and tries to go all over the place, i just hold her down.

DanielleWrly · July 2010

I never had a changing table/dresser/station for either of my sons and won't for this one either. We always changed on the floor/ottoman/bed/etc. with the changing pad from the diaper bag and that worked for us. So no, you don't neeeed it but a lot of moms love theirs.

wheelenl · July 2010

If your kid is really squirmy, then a changing table won't really help. You'll just have them squirming into their poop, etc. I've used them plenty but I just use a changing pad on a dresser, and I do not regret it. I've used lots of friends and like I said, not worth it.

makclair · July 2010

Don't get a changing table- just a dresser that you can put a pad on top of-

Ours is screwed into the back with an extra strap.

We do still change DS in our room on our bed in the morning before school. but I can't imagine not having somewhere to change him because it would kill you to physically get down there constantly when they are a newborn. And I prefer to have the poo spread all over the changing pad when he is being wild vs our comforter.

mrstarawalsh · July 2010

I've never owned a changing station or even a pad. I've always changed my kids on the floor or the crib.

DallasHorn · July 2010

Our changing table is also a dresser. Without the changing pad (which has straps so it can be fixed down, it is simply a dresser. DS is nearly two and we do use it when we are changing him in his room (upstairs). If we are changing him downstairs, its on the floor with a folding changing pad.

schnef1226 · July 2010

We use a changing pad on top of an existing dresser. Instead of screwing it into the back of the dresser we use the non skid cabinet/drawer liners (those holy rubber ones that aren't adhesive, KWIM?) under the pad and those prevent the pad from sliding around. It's not 100% secure but I don't leave her side when she's up there so it's fine for that.

KarBear · July 2010

We also just used a changing pad on the dresser. We still use it when we're upstairs, but when downstairs, we just use the floor, couch, etc with a changing pad.

meo34 · July 2010

I had a change table given to me second hand which was great since it is nice to have when they are small but they get too big pretty quickly. I liked it because it was alot easier on my back than bending over. We used it awhile because he was not a squirmy baby.

When he out grew it I converted it to a book case which we still use and he is almost 5.

Like many baby things if you can borrow, get/buy second hand it maybe an option. If I had bought one new and paid $$ I may have thought it was a waste of money.

Mjmksb04 · July 2010

We used a changing pad on his dresser and stopped using it once he became proficient at rolling. No issues in the last year with changing him o the floor.

dmblack · July 2010

We never had a changing table. I always changed my kids on the floor. Its easier and as they get older and more squirmy its much safer to have them on the floor.

yellowcar · July 2010

We just put the changing pad on top of a low dresser that we already had. My dad built a small frame around the pad, so that it would be stable. That lasted us about 2.5 years with DD, and then we used it another 1.5 years with DS. We would still be using it, but the actual dresser drawers started falling apart and we had to repurpose it yet again for something else (I think it will turn into storage in our garage!).

justrachet · July 2010

We bought a changing table at a garage sale. It coordinates with our crib, but doesn't match exactly. I have cube bins on the shelves, and keep some clothes in there (DS doesn't have a dresser). We bought a separate curved changing pad for the top. The changing table has a rail around the top which holds the pad in place. The pad has a strap that I use to belt him in if he's particularly squirmy.

I use the changing table every day - diaper changes, clothes changes, washing his face/hands before bed, clipping his nails, anything that I need him to be still for. I usually dress DS on the bathroom floor after his baths, and he's actually much more squirmy when he's on the floor.

I'd recommend a changing table, or a changing pad on a low dresser, if you will have one.

jpowell3 · July 2010

I've never had a changing station. I personally think it is easier to just grab a diaper, the box of wipes & plop down on the floor. I've raised 2 boys this way & I don't plan on buying a changing table w/this lo.

mgra328 · July 2010

I didn't use a changing table for any of my kids. I jsut put a changing pad on the floor, bed, couch or wherever to change them. I always thought it was wasteful. I never had a problem and I've been changing diapers for almost 7 years now.

fwiw, my nephew was strapped in on his table and my SIL turned to grab something off the dresser behind her (in a very small room, mind you) and he kicked the other end, launching himself off the back! He was thankfully ok but she felt horrible. It can happen to even the best moms, which I happen to think she is!

The kid isn't going to fall off the floor. LOL!

sgrl · July 2010

We had planned to just use a pad on the dresser, but my SIL gave us her old changing table. It doesn't match the crib/dresser at all (they are dark and it is white) but who cares? It's just until she's potty trained. Anyway, she's super wiggly but I still use it most of the time. I just keep a hand on her constantly.

xmasbabymama · July 2010

I thought a changing table was a waste and DD's dresser is tall, so wasn't useable with a pad. We changed her on the floor, bed or ottoman and never had a problem.

MegGary · July 2010

We didn't have room for a dresser when DD was born. So we got a changing table w/ a pad. The sides come up a bit so she can't roll off. We still use it for some diaper changes, and clothes changing. If I tried to change her poopy diaper on the floor or bed I'd constantly have poop all over my house. The only place I can contain her is the changing table. For clothes changes & just wet diapers I can do that anywhere.

However, if I had the room at the time I'd of done the dress w/ changing pad ontop.

kmcl2008 · July 2010

We use a changing table and LOVE it. My sister has a 2 yo and 1 mo old and she never uses hers. It really depends on where you spend most of your time and how your home is laid out (i.e. if you have to go up 30 stairs to get to the changing table, you may be less likely to use it). You could always put your changing table in the living room or your bedroom if you think you will be there most often once LO arrives.

kikijones · July 2010

Thanks for the advice ladies! I think we will do the dresser/changer since I plan on purchasing a dresser anyhow.

auburnbride2be · July 2010

We went with a low, long dresser and attached the changing pad to it. We used it til about 18 months religiously and then removed the pad. Now, it's just a changing table. I would recommend doing that or getting a changing table. It really was convenient.

luvmagoldn · July 2010

In their bedroom I used a pad on top of the dresser. But I do have a changing table downstairs in the playroom and that has been extremely useful. There are baskets on the shelves under the table that I filled with a variety of things. When the boys were newborn the baskets had extra onesies/sleep and plays/socks. Another basket had blankets and another held burp cloths. I had a smaller basket with diaper creams, nail clippers/files, bulb aspirator, etc in it.

Now that Ryan is 16 months and usually has to be changed standing up I moved the table in to the laundry room. I just couldn't give up the storage yet! Smile

mandarod · July 2010

We also just put a pad on top of a lower dresser, and we still use it at 15 months. She wiggles, sure, but it's not that hard to hold her down. It's easier for me to stand and maneuver everything versus kneeling or sitting in the floor.

jlw2505 · July 2010

The changing table I had was a hand me down. I would not have bought one. Yes, I used it with my 1st until she was around 7 or 8 months old and moving around a lot. I rarely used it with my 2nd as my older DD always wanted to help and it was easier on the floor. I now a lot of people buy the changing pads that you can put onto a dresser and that works great. I also would not buy baby/toddler specific furniture like a dresser. We used the one we bought for 3 1/2 years total and that is with 2 kids. Once their clothes start to get bigger, an adult size dresser works so much better so I would just buy an adult dresser to start with.

katypresson · July 2010

We have a changing table and still use it daily. I love it! DS is VERY squirmy now - trying to turn over and get away from me...but changing him on the floor is even harder b/c it's easier for him to get away.

Here is a list of items I couldn't live without when he was a newborn: changing table, bouncy seat, LOTS of Gerber receiving blankets (used them as burp clothes), boppy pillow (I used it to prop him up for naps on the couch), and my Moby (baby carrier).

ETA: We never bought a big dresser for his room - it's too small for one. But we do have 2 closets in his room so I bought those plastic organizers and put his white onesies in the top drawer, pjs in the second drawer, and shorts/pants in the bottom 2 drawers. All his shirts/nicer onesies get hung up along with dressier outfits. There is another set of drawers and in that are bibs, socks, receiving blankets, and hats. Works for us and saves on space!!! I just pile thicker blankets on top of the drawers.

Want a personalized experience?

A question for experienced mommies...

Re: A question for experienced mommies...

Choose Another Board

Search Boards