Changing table/pad direction?

redfallon · August 2013

This seems like a silly question and I know I'll figure out what works best when LO gets here, but...

More for BTDT: What was/is the easiest layout for the changing area for you?

Right now we have our setup so that the changing pad is perpendicular to how we'd be standing when changing her. So her feet on the left (or right) and head the other side.

During my insomnia last night I was thinking it would be easier if we had it so her feet were near us so she's laying with head towards the wall and feet towards us. So she'd be in straight-line alignment with where we stand.

What worked/is working for you?

cputman200 · August 2013

When my DS was little the changing pad thing was on a dresser so he had to put his head to the right and feet to the left. When I got tired of going upstairs to the changing station I just put a waterproof blanket down on my bed and changed him with his feet toward me. That's what we did until he potty trained.
You will find what is most comfortable for you no worries!

princessvespa1 · August 2013

We point head to my left, and lift feet with my left hand so my right hand can grab wipes, bum cream, etc. You will figure out what is most comfortable for you as you go.

llybeck · August 2013

Hahaha, even though this may sound silly, I was just thinking the EXACT same thing!

Our changing table flips out so we could have the changing pad either way. Our daycare provider has the same table and she has it perpendicular. And I know more than likely we will just change her wherever but for some reason this was stressing me out.

I'm sure it will be fine regardless and we'll just figure it out but I will be interested to see what BTDT moms say about this, thanks for posting!

lbethke99 · August 2013

redfallon said:

During my insomnia last night I was thinking it would be easier if we had it so her feet were near us so she's laying with head towards the wall and feet towards us. So she'd be in straight-line alignment with where we stand. What worked/is working for you?

I thought this too- but I was wrong. Since that put the diaper farther away from me. Plus having them the other way makes it easier for you to hold on to them once they really start to wiggle!

missmuffin87 · August 2013

It really doesn't matter. On our changing table we do head on the left feet on the right. But since he'll be sleeping in the PnP in our room and we are lazy and don't want to get out of bed, we keep the PnP at the foot of the bed with the changing pad part perpendicular to our bed. So we'll just sit up in bed and do midnight changes with his feet towards us.

redfallon · August 2013

This question was going to lead to me moving heavy furniture while DH isn't here, possibly for no reason. Right now we have the changing pad on top of a small dresser-type thing, but it's old and kinda heavy. That's why I took the path of least resistance and decided to post the question here instead before I go moving stuff and put my back out lol

cputman200 · August 2013

redfallon said:
This question was going to lead to me moving heavy furniture while DH isn't here, possibly for no reason. Right now we have the changing pad on top of a small dresser-type thing, but it's old and kinda heavy. That's why I took the path of least resistance and decided to post the question here instead before I go moving stuff and put my back out lol

Please don't go moving stuff around! I would hate to be the internet stranger that broke your back!

DaisyZH · August 2013

I got in the habit of changing DS on the floor on a changing pad, feet towards me. When we are out and I need to use changing tables in store restrooms, restaurants, etc., his head is usually to my left, feet to my right. Either way works fine and honestly I never even thought about it until right now lol.

kje120 · August 2013

We've always done it where we are standing at his side - head to the left and feet to the right.

EOB584 · August 2013

When DD was a baby we changed her with us standing at her side. It was easiest to have her feet to the right, head to the left because our changed/dresser has an elevated part on the right that I had her supplies on. I would switch which way she lays on occasions to make sure she was turning her head to the opposite side to avoid a flat spot on her head - I had several friends who had babies that needed doc bands and therapy so I was a bit paranoid about her head shape.

chois · August 2013

His head is to my left, feet to my right. It's the only way I can change him now. Originally I thought it would be easiest with his feet towards my, but I found it very awkward lifting his legato wipe like that.

Don't stress out about it though. You'll figure out which way is most comfortable for you pretty quickly and you can always switch things around once LO is here.

redfallon · August 2013

@CurlingRocks said:

Both positions have worked well for us. I think it is something you can easily change if you find a preference after LO arrives. I can't tell you how much time I wasted trying to plan this stuff only to discover it was NBD to change later.

Thanks everyone!

I also figured it's not a big deal. Just one of those places my mind goes when I can't get to sleep. When I got up to move to the couch last night, DH thought I'd been sleeping for at least a couple of hours. I told him, "No, that's just how long I've been staring at the wall."

jlbhz2275 · August 2013

haha you will become so good at changing diapers you will be able to do it standing on your head. You're overthinking it. Just go with what you have done already and don't move furniture!

Arielle27 · August 2013

For some reason, I can ONLY change with baby's head to the left and legs to the right, or facing at me. But I would put the changing table against the wall left to right just because I think it makes it easier to get things out of the drawers/shelves beneath the pad, if that's applicable to you...

redfallon · August 2013

This was more out of curiosity than anything else. I wondered (during my insomnia last night) whether it would be easier the other way, and then thought why not ask what the BTDT's have done and see what others have done.

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