Your thoughts on changing tables

thoward298 · June 2011

This may be a little early but I am starting to look at nursery furniture. Is a changing table really nesessary? My neighbor said she is affraid of the baby rolling off and she just changes her baby on the bed.

I was just curious!

DEBBIE33CASEY · June 2011

diaper changes are messy. I am very happy I got one! The baby can only roll off if you're not paying attention I've never worried about my DD rolling off of hers.

ETA: This is similar to the one I got. We still use it for DD and we bought canvas baskets that we store diapers, shoes, and some toys, etc in. Although now DD likes pulling out the baskets so we are a little more limited in what we can store in there. But we'll move the changing table to the new baby's room and be able to put more useful stuff in it(i consider toys not useful! lol).

Laura62809 · June 2011

This is just my humble opinion, but I feel that they are a useless piece of furniture!!! The bed, couch, floor, anywhere is practically just as good and you can use the money you would've spent on that on something else! We're opting out of a changing table and I've had to argue with my MIL now twice over it. lol

urmyantichrist · June 2011

I never had one with DD, I got a changing pad and changed her on the bed. I'm looking at a crib/changer combo this time, mainly because it's decent storage as baby gets older

bigbear · June 2011

I will not be getting one. I will probably just get one of those cushion things that are raised at the sides so the baby doesn't roll off and you just put them on the dresser. ( I don't know what they are called Embarrassed ) That works just as well and is so much cheaper. I really think changing tables are kind of useless. Just my opinion

MrsMeMo · June 2011

I'm getting a changing table/dresser combo like this one mainly because we don't have the room for both, and I think a plain changing table with just a shelf or two is a waste of money:

https://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&biw=1600&bih=688&q=dresser/changing+table&rlz=1R2ACEW_en&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&wrapid=tlif130893219432910&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=18115527226687238592&sa=X&ei=YLgETpTSFYTy0gGbpbSHCw&ved=0CHoQ8gIwAQ#

AnnieTater · June 2011

This could work as a changing table now, and a dresser later

https://www.amazon.com/DaVinci-Emily-Combo-Dresser-Espresso/dp/B002Q4UH2Y/ref=cm_lmf_tit_8_rsrsrs0

OceanPearl2 · June 2011

bigbear:

I will not be getting one. I will probably just get one of those cushion things that are raised at the sides so the baby doesn't roll off and you just put them on the dresser. ( I don't know what they are called ) That works just as well and is so much cheaper. I really think changing tables are kind of useless. Just my opinion

I will be doing this!

megaloo27 · June 2011

If you have the room for one, I would say get it! I think it is more comfortable to change them while standing up, especially if you have a wiggler. I would get one that has shelves under it that you can use it as storage. It sounds silly but I think it also helps them with the routine if you are changing them in the same place.

May524 · June 2011

Much needed in my opinion. I used ours for DS up until a month ago for when he was potty trained! So we used it for 3 years.

Amomtomanyluvs · June 2011

I bought one with my first and kept it for each of my other babies and honestly I never used it. I always just changed the baby on the bed, couch or floor...and the changing table ended up being just for junk...I got rid of it, and do not plan on buying another one.

mandarod · June 2011

DD has a low profile dresser (about waist high), and we put her changing pad on there. At least *that* is a must for me. We only recently stopped using it. I did not want to carry her in another room or get down on the floor with her to change diapers in the middle of the night those first months. No way.

But yes, I do think a changing table + dresser is a waste. I'd just look for a dresser that could serve both purposes.

rebelina1 · June 2011

It is a must IMO. For our DD we used the top of her dresser as the changing table in her bedroom since it was a low dresser. We then bought a used changing table from Goodwill that we kept downstairs. I can't stand when people change their baby's on the floor or on a couch (unless they are using a pad underneath). Plus, it is so nice to have wipes and diapers stored under the changing table.

As for the baby's safety, just never leave them unattended on the table and you should be fine.

EricaK28 · June 2011

bigbear:

I will not be getting one. I will probably just get one of those cushion things that are raised at the sides so the baby doesn't roll off and you just put them on the dresser. ( I don't know what they are called ) That works just as well and is so much cheaper. I really think changing tables are kind of useless. Just my opinion

This is what we will due. I also think changing tables are a waist of money and our nursery is small.

shortstuff15 · June 2011

We love ours. We cloth diaper, so we keep all our diapers in one spot so a changing table is pretty much a must for us. We also have one with 3 drawers and a shelf underneath the actual changing part so it serves as a dresser as well. I wouldn't get one with just shelves because once baby starts moving they can pull stuff off. We still use it and plan on using it until she is potty trained. She is much calmer being changed on the table rather then the floor, and trust me we've tried the floor! And I'll diddo a previous poster who said that changing on the floor during the middle of the night would equal not fun!

Mlewis2319 · June 2011

I think changing tables are useless. They are conveient for all the storage not worth only having them around for a short period of time. With DS I just kept a basket in the living room and changed him there, since that is where I nursed him the most and that's where I went for night time feedings.

I know some pack & plays have a bassinet feature that you could use as a changing table. Our PNP had one, but we never used it, but the thought was there haha.

rachoochoo2 · June 2011

I got one and have never changed a diaper on it. I just chance the baby wherever we happen to be at. The only thing I have used it for is to store things. I got lots of little wicker baskets that I put socks and bibs and that kind of stuff in.

emjenkins715 · June 2011

I don't have one and didn't think they were necessary. I have gotten by just fine changing DS on the bed, floor w/ a pad, or just about anywhere else. I won't be getting a changing table this time around either.

darters82 · June 2011

We don't have one. We have a changing pad on the floor in a particular spot in DS's room with all the supplies next to it. It's still consistent as far as where he gets changed, and I actually find it easier to just sit on the floor and change him. The reason we didn't get one in the beginning is because we lived in a small apartment, and even though he did have his own room, there really wasn't room for a dresser/changing table. Even though we have plenty of room now, we just never saw the need to get one, so I'm pretty sure we won't for this baby either.

BritanyV · June 2011

We loved our changing table and used it all the time. We would still be using it if ds wouldn't have decided to all of a sudden have a fear of heights a few months ago and now insists on being changed on the floor in his bedroom. We still use the changing table for storage of diapers, wipes, medicines, lotions, and anything else like that. Ours has doors so we can lock up the doors to keep ds out of the medicines.

Maybe one day he will potty train.... *sigh*

n&bcarlson · June 2011

Well, I used ours with DD for every diaper change until she was potty trained- so 2 years of use, and I assume at least 2 more years with baby #2. It totally saved my back and the few times I did have to change her somewhere else where the bed or floor was the only option, I hated it. The dresser that can be used with a pad on top is a nice option if you think you'll use the furniture beyond babyhood. On the other hand, we went with affordable stuff and got both a convertible crib and matching changing table for $250. After this next baby outgrows them we'll just sell the set at a consignment shop and put whatever we get toward a big kid set.

jatilly · June 2011

I love our changing table. My husband built it, it's just 2 shelves with the table on top. It's nice to have a place to store extra things (towels, washcloths, etc) and have everything you might need for a diaper change within arms reach.

Also- we had some MAJOR blowouts when Em was a newborn (I'm talking liquid poo everywhere) and she pees just about every time my husband changes her. It is a lot easier to take the cover off the changing pad rather than try to keep the mess from spreading on my bed. Just my opinion!

kcvasquez · June 2011

I love our changing table! It's nice to have everything right where you need it. I feel if you're changing your little one on the bed or couch you have to make sure you have all of your changing stuff in different areas! Plus there have been quite a few diapers I would never ever have wanted changed anywhere but the changing table! And of course babies can roll off, if you don't watch them they can fall out of carts, roll off beds and get run over too. It's all in the parenting. Ours is a dresser with a changing table (a plastic one that sits on top) so when DS is done with diaper changing in a few years it will look just like a dresser for his room.

Melgor78 · June 2011

We have a long dresser that I plan on setting up to use as a changing table. I'll find someway to make the pad stick to the top. We really don't have room for another table. We'll only have four pcs of furniture and it will be tight.

samakasrc · June 2011

My crib has one attached to it. We used it at first during the night time changes/feedings. But truthfully that was the only time we used it, during the day we just layed her on the floor... if it was messy we just used a changing pad that came with her diaper bag so it wouldn't get all over the floor... This time we are getting a dresser that we can put a cheap changing pad ontop of, not investing in a changing table or paying extra for a crib with one...

DEBBIE33CASEY · June 2011

AndieD6709:

I don't understand the whole changing table thing.

What purpose does it serve once your child is too big for it? Maybe some of the experienced moms can tell us this.

We personally won't be purchasing one. We will be getting a pad that we can attach to the top of the dresser. Most of the time I can imagine we probablly won't even be in the bed room and I'll just be using a pad on the floor.

How big is too big? We still change DD on it since she's not PT'd. I have no problem lifting her up to change her on it. With how mobile she is there's no way I'd try to change her on the floor.

Plus I preferred changing her on the changing table. I didn't want to change her on my couch or bed. I'd still have to get up to throw away the poopy diaper and go wash my hands! So i didn't see any benefit to not getting one. And that way I could leave the stink in her nursery and we could go back to a fresh smelling living room

AnnieTater · June 2011

Oh gosh, sometimes I forget about how much runny poo is going to be part of my life.

One of my good friends repainted a used desk and it looks and works perfect! You probably would just guess it WAS a changing table. Has lots of storage, too.

talitha712 · June 2011

I think changing tables are a waste of money. We're going to get one of the dressers that's long and flat on top, and then use the padded changing thing on top. Then, when LO isn't in diapers anymore, we still have a functional piece of furniture.

LutzWifey · June 2011

It's really up to your own personal preference. My plan was to just get a dresser and put a pad on it, but my mind was changed for me when my MIL announced that she wanted to purchase our baby furniture. We went and picked out stuff and then she sent me an email one day that said by the way I ordered a changing table too. We have a tiny little house, and a teeny tiny little baby room, I'm not sure where we're going to put all this furniture. But I do have to say I'm grateful that I didn't have to spend a dime, so I can't complain.

twocents6708 · June 2011

bigbear:
I will not be getting one. I will probably just get one of those cushion things that are raised at the sides so the baby doesn't roll off and you just put them on the dresser. ( I don't know what they are called ) That works just as well and is so much cheaper. I really think changing tables are kind of useless. Just my opinion

this is our plan.

shortstuff15 · June 2011

AndieD6709:
DEBBIE33CASEY:
AndieD6709:

I don't understand the whole changing table thing.

What purpose does it serve once your child is too big for it? Maybe some of the experienced moms can tell us this.

We personally won't be purchasing one. We will be getting a pad that we can attach to the top of the dresser. Most of the time I can imagine we probablly won't even be in the bed room and I'll just be using a pad on the floor.

How big is too big? We still change DD on it since she's not PT'd. I have no problem lifting her up to change her on it. With how mobile she is there's no way I'd try to change her on the floor.
Plus I preferred changing her on the changing table. I didn't want to change her on my couch or bed. I'd still have to get up to throw away the poopy diaper and go wash my hands! So i didn't see any benefit to not getting one. And that way I could leave the stink in her nursery and we could go back to a fresh smelling living room

See, I couldn't see myself changing our LOs on a changing pad on something high once they're really mobile (over a year definitely not, but maybe even before that when they start to roll over). I think I'd just be so scared that they'd wiggle right off of there, you know? IDK. The family I nannied for had three kiddos in diapers and I always changed them on the floor.

Our changing table has a small rail around the top, except for one side and I stand on that side. There is no way she could wiggle herself off while I was standing there! Plus, it's against the wall so that makes it harder for her to wiggle herself off!

lp0 · June 2011

I don't have any experience since this is our first baby but I think I will get one, especially since there is enough room in the nursery. I like the ones that are attached to the end of the crib. They don't seem to take that much extra room.

Pacheco825 · June 2011

I got a changing table with DS we will use with this LO. I plan on just using it as a toy shelf after the baby is potty trained.

CalMum_Momma · June 2011

DS's dresser is too tall to put a changing pad on that. We do have a changing table and I still use it for DS (15mo) for every diaper change, and he's not even close to being too big for it (and he's a big boy!). The only time I didn't use it was for the first 3 weeks-ish at home, because I was recovering from my c/s and couldn't go up and down the stairs too many times. I stack my CDs on it and I have baskets on the shelves that store extra diapering stuff, socks, bibs, etc. I also have a storage thing hanging on the end of it that holds powders, lotions, rash creams, burp rags and disposable liners for my CDs. We were given ours by a friend and bought the pad, but I definately would have bought one had we not been given one. I hated having all the diapering stuff hanging around the living room those first few weeks, and it would just be silly to bring DS into my room to change him on the bed, and I just simply don't want to get on the floor to change him.

We also used the changing table attachment on the pnp when we traveled and camped, although DS is too big for it now, and I miss having it!

I say all the nay-sayers are crazy, and a changing table is definately worth it!!!

textbookcase · June 2011

They are unnecessary, imo. I had one that I never ended up using. It became a glorified clothes holder :P For the first few weeks I used the changing area attached to the pack n play, since I had it set up in our room. After that, floors, beds, etc. with a changing pad underneath are way easier.

A S-ski · June 2011

Get one that converts to a regular dresser. That way, if you don't use it much,you really aren't wasting anything. All that being said, I use mine every single day for every single diaper change and LO is over 20 months old. Changing him on the floor or the bed is a huge PITA. The changing table is the only place it is easy.

MAMAxB · June 2011

We have one for DD an LOVE it. Yeah, the bed/floor work fine but it's easier sometimes to not have to bend over.

(BTW: if you are standing there - they will not roll off.)

I also love the extra storage/organization we have from it because of the two shelves below it to store blankets/towells/stuffed animals/baskets with misc. things)

Free2Sing · June 2011

bigbear:
I will not be getting one. I will probably just get one of those cushion things that are raised at the sides so the baby doesn't roll off and you just put them on the dresser. ( I don't know what they are called ) That works just as well and is so much cheaper. I really think changing tables are kind of useless. Just my opinion

This is actually what I was considering a changing table! lol-- you can see how much I know about baby stuff. There is a dresser that my uncle hand-made me when I was little & it's like a baby armoire with shelves, drawers, & a rack to hang baby hangers even! It doesn't take up too much space & it's the perfect height to put a changing pad on top. Guess I'll keep the diapers on those shelves!

ginga-ninja80 · June 2011

thanks for this thread and all the opinions! DH and I were debating this the other day...I thought one was essential, and thought he was insane for suggesting I just change the baby on the floor. haha, sounds like it's more common than I thought.

This may sound goofy, but we have a nice TV stand / entertainment center that we don't use anymore - it is about waist-high with shelves and doors underneath that I think I will convert to a changing table. Sounds like it will do the trick.

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