Separate Changing Table or Attached?

spainy17 · September 2012

I am looking for advice about our crib/changing table. We have a smaller room and I have been seeing these convertible beds that have a small attached changing table on the side. I think it becomes the nightstand once the baby grows up.

Has anyone used these or heard anything about them? Are they practical or will I want a bigger space for changing? Does the vertical placement make things harder than the horizontal placement (of baby)?

They look compact and cute but wondered if I would hate one once I got one... ???

persephonerose · September 2012

When I looked at the floor models of that style in a few stores I was not impressed with the area for changing the baby. I wanted something that had more of a top surface so I could have other supplies easily at hand. Most of the attached ones had just enough room for baby, and all supplies had to be in shelves or drawers under the baby. When I pretended to reach for items on the shelves and hold the baby in place on the top it was awkward. Might be less awkward for a STM, who has lots of practice in juggling diaper changes.

Leinistar · September 2012

If you're pressed for space in a smaller room, I'd use a dresser top instead of a separate changing table. It will function the life of your child rather than just a couple of months until you end up changing the baby on the floor (which will probably happen before 6 months).

Court7803 · September 2012

My LO's room is a bit on the smaller side as well and I went with a dresser top changing table. I went with this stork craft one as it matches perfectly with LO's crib. (a little bit on the hard side to assemble, but seems sturdy) It is on the bigger side, but since I wont have to worry about a changing table as well, I don't mind it. I have room for the changing pad + a basket for diapers, creams, ect. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Storkcraft-Combo-3-Dresser-Espresso/6006617

linzeek44 · September 2012

I think I read things saying that people's older babies were trying to crawl out of the crib onto the table... Obviously that's down the road, but I thought it was an interesting reason to get a separate table or use a dresser top.

CrazyToast · September 2012

combos are bigger than separate furniture...

We went with a dresser top changing area. The dresser will be DD's forever. We got a big one, though - the 8 drawer Ikea Hemnes. LOVE that dresser.

shootingstars00 · September 2012

Separate for sure. I think they are kinda ugly combined plus HUGE!

jess9802 · September 2012

We have one, the Graco Lauren Crib 'n' Changer. The changer portion has three drawers in the front and two shelves on the side. Our nursery doubles as the office and there was no room for a dresser or even a stand alone changer. We keep his clothes in Rubbermaid totes in the closet. I have no regrets and don't find the table difficult to use for changing - I can't even imagine changing him from the side, to be honest.

We keep his cloth diapers in a diaper stacker tied to the crib, the wipes and covers in the drawers, and the wipe solution and diaper rash cream on the table itself, though now that DS is flailing his arms about I'll probably stick those in a drawer, too. But, everything is within arm's reach. I hate changing him on the floor at my MIL's, and my 61 year old mother watches him during the day, so a changing area at the right height was important. I am not keen on the idea of changing him on a bed or the couch, but YMMV. For as much flack as changing tables get, esp the combo set up, my husband, mom, and I are really happy with ours.

NeverLostHope · September 2012

We never had one (we didn't have a changing table either though). It would have worked ok with ds, but for dd1, it would have been a nightmare. She was a climber, and I know she would have climbed on it constantly. It's impossible to know if your kid will be a climber or not, so I would avoid it all together. I would just throw a changing pad on a dresser, or if you don't have space for that the couch, floor and bed work just as well.

1026pumpkin · September 2012

I think the vertical changing space of the attached ones is awkward, and I personally like having extra diapers, wipes, diaper cream handy and a place to set down the dirty diaper while I get the new one on.

I always recommend just getting a dresser-top changer. We used the table for the first few months, but once DS got bigger and wigglier, it was so much easier to just change him on the floor. A dresser will be practical their whole lives- just take off the changing pad when you're done using it.

If you're really pressed for space and aren't planning to have a dresser, you could use the changers on a pack and play for the first few months, and then start changing on the floor. BRU has an awesome J Cole Diaper caddy that has a waterproof changing mat folders into the pocket, a place for diapers, wipes, and a small drawer for cream- everything you need in one handy caddy that you can just leave on a shelf in the nursery. This is what we keep downstairs in our house, and we love it.

Jen748 · September 2012

Leinistar:
If you're pressed for space in a smaller room, I'd use a dresser top instead of a separate changing table. It will function the life of your child rather than just a couple of months until you end up changing the baby on the floor (which will probably happen before 6 months).

This is what we did with DD and will do with LO#2.

blueandgray · September 2012

Leinistar:
If you're pressed for space in a smaller room, I'd use a dresser top instead of a separate changing table. It will function the life of your child rather than just a couple of months until you end up changing the baby on the floor (which will probably happen before 6 months).

This for us too. I bought a cute basket that sits right next to the changing pad where I keep a stack of diapers, cream, and wipes all nice & neat and within easy reach. I have the Birkland 3-drawer dresser from Ikea, and the curved changing pad & basket fit just fine.

spainy17 · September 2012

Thanks so much guys, you have made my mind up about separates! I did not even think of baby crawling out onto the table-space! Eeeek!

Dresser top it is!

Sue&Pasquale · September 2012

I would say seperate. I have a regular changing table and I love it. I didnt want it on top of his bureu because I didnt want the bureau to get ruined.

I have a regular changing table and on the shelves I have baskets for diapers, his socks, creams, etc.

I have this one in white and I still use it.

https://www.target.com/p/sorelle-nicki-changing-table-cherry-finish/-/A-10199215?ref=tgt_adv_XSC10001&AFID=shopping_df&LNM=|10199215&CPNG=furniture&ci_src=13736960&ci_sku=10199215&

southernbelle19 · September 2012

Leinistar:
If you're pressed for space in a smaller room, I'd use a dresser top instead of a separate changing table. It will function the life of your child rather than just a couple of months until you end up changing the baby on the floor (which will probably happen before 6 months).

THIS!

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