Changing table vs dresser

cristykaye · November 2013

Ok so STM+ I was thinking about getting a dresser with a portable changing thing on top. Do u think a changing table is worth it? I don't really want to buy the bed, dresser, and a changing table. Everyone I have asked has always said that I will change them on my bed or the floor but I don't really want to have to do that. Just wondering some opinions.
Thanks

CamrynnsMommy · November 2013

I do not think buying a changing table and a dresser is necessary. I will either buy a dresser and then put a changing pad on it or with DD2 I had a dresser/changing table combo that I loved. The changing pad can be removed when no longer needed, it also has safety straps. Similar pictured below:

lv2011 · November 2013

Ditto what CamrynnsMommy said. Go with the dresser. You'll get a much longer life and functionality out of it. Changing tables, to me, are a complete waste of money. And truthfully, you may find that you do some changes on the bed or floor instead- even though you plan not to. The point is, a dresser will always have a use. A changing table will not.

ns1 · November 2013

We didn't get a changing table with DD and won't with this one. We just put some of that slip proof padding on the dresser and put a changing pad on that. It worked fine!

momthatlifts · November 2013

I'm doing the dresser idea. It will store more and just be able to be used for so much more

mrsbtobe20122 · November 2013

We bought a dresser to paint and will put a changing pad on top, that way there is TONS of storage and can be in a big kid/adolescent/ teenager room. Example:
Boy nursery #navy #green #dresser #giraffe

Boy nursery #navy #green #dresser #giraffe

TaylorHam86 · November 2013

@cristykaye Glad you asked this, I've been wondering the same thing. It seems like a duh kind of question, but as a FTM you just never know.

yepyepsms · November 2013

mrsbtobe20122 said:
We bought a dresser to paint and will put a changing pad on top, that way there is TONS of storage and can be in a big kid/adolescent/ teenager room.

Example:

We did a dresser with a changing pad on top with a cute cover for the pad. It's worked great and we'll do the same with number 2. I like the idea that they will have their dressers to grow with them.

pistolpackinmomma · November 2013

Here is what we have for DS. Once we no longer need the changing table it flips over to have the smooth top (hence it sitting on a runner) and decorative bottom. The drawers will flip as well. Just ignore all of the crap on top, we're still unpacking.

Richelpedersen · November 2013

I might be the only one that couldn't live without my changetable. I personally find it really uncomfortable to change on the floor and not very hygienic to change on the bed. I like having a station where my diapers, wipes, lotion, diaper cream etc all is. We have made great use out of our changetable and are still using it for DD and will use it for new baby too.

pistolpackinmomma · November 2013

Richelpedersen said:
I might be the only one that couldn't live without my changetable. I personally find it really uncomfortable to change on the floor and not very hygienic to change on the bed. I like having a station where my diapers, wipes, lotion, diaper cream etc all is. We have made great use out of our changetable and are still using it for DD and will use it for new baby too.

I have found the changing table more helpful as he's gotten more mobile. He knows the table is to get his diaper changed and he fights it less. At the very least it's harder for him to go anywhere where as on the floor he lasts just long enough to get his diaper off and he's gone.

frasey · November 2013

we had the change pad on the dresser, and used it maybe 3 times ever. honestly we just changed her on the bed or couch, or floor now, whatever was most convenient. there was no way I was taking her up to her room everytime we needed a change!

Allibob · November 2013

I was planning on just using the dresser, but I ran across a nice changing table at a consignment sale for cheap. I love it because it's taller than my dresser, so I don't have to bend over. I can use my dresser for clothes & have all my diaper things handy. I rarely change on the floor or bed, because I have to go get a diaper from the changing table, then go take the dirty one back to the pail anyways.

sthomas1222 · November 2013

I honestly have changed DD maybe 3 times on the attached changing table. It's upstairs in her room so downstairs I change her on the floor. When she was a newborn we changed her in the pack n play. At night she was in our room, in our bed, so she was changed on a towel on our bed lol.

jenmbott · November 2013

We have a dresser as well (we got a whole bedroom set off of craigslist and re-finished it). We used the changing pad on the dresser up until around 5/6 months. DD got too squirmy at that point to continue changing her up on the dresser so we just started doing it on the floor with the changing pad that came with our diaper bag.

awisern · November 2013

We did a dresser with changing pad on top...I much preferred it. When we are on the main level we used the changing table on the pack n play and when he was too big just used the couch. We will probably use the couch on the main level for this kiddo.

JessicaDanielle0910 · November 2013

I'm gonna jump on the bandwagon with the moms who seldom used their changing tables, half way through the first year I got rid of it entirely and swapped my changing pad over to my sons dresser, and I will be doing the same thing for this one. The changing table was a waste of space for us, and having supplies open and close to the floor was a hassle with a son that got into everything when given the opportunity. You can't child proof the open spaced lower shelving that most changing units have ):

blazinangel1702 · November 2013

I have a long 6 drawer dresser with a changing pad on top, I've used it every single day for the last 22 months. I'm going the same route with #2.

Baileypearl · November 2013

We used a dresser and Velcroed a changing pad to it, easy!

Junebug060609 · November 2013

Richelpedersen said:
I might be the only one that couldn't live without my changetable. I personally find it really uncomfortable to change on the floor and not very hygienic to change on the bed. I like having a station where my diapers, wipes, lotion, diaper cream etc all is. We have made great use out of our changetable and are still using it for DD and will use it for new baby too.

This. I used mine until DS started his death spiral rolling during diaper changes (>1 yr) and used it for storage right up until we moved. Planning on setting it up in the new babies room as well. Yeah, some changes will happen in the livingroom with DS...but there is no way i want to be dealing with the blowouts on the floor or on a bed. I wouldnt set a changing pad on a dresser without securing it. Dangerous once they can roll.

runningyogimama · November 2013

We always, always, always use our changing table to change her. Plus, I couldn't live without the added storage underneath. I like having both.

alphalyrae · November 2013

We are skipping a changing table all together and we bought a tall dresser, so not changing pad on top. Frankly, I'm not walking upstairs to change the baby for every dirty diaper (although, it would be a good work out...).

deanna1313 · November 2013

FTM, but I was definitely skipping changing table and using dresser. Nice to here that nixing the changing table is a " acceptable!" I do like the idea of having the extra storage that a changing table would give underneath, but I plan to do a nice bookshelf instead. Baskets on the bottom. Plenty of space for books and other odds and ends, too.

spacepotatoes · November 2013

deanna1313 said:

FTM, but I was definitely skipping changing table and using dresser. Nice to here that nixing the changing table is a " acceptable!" I do like the idea of having the extra storage that a changing table would give underneath, but I plan to do a nice bookshelf instead. Baskets on the bottom. Plenty of space for books and other odds and ends, too.

This is what we're thinking too. Our nursery is pretty small so depending on what we choose, we may not be able to get a dresser and shelf unit in there. Either way, one of those will become our changing station and I'd like to get something like this for changes on the floor/elsewhere:

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11712304&cp=&parentPage=search

Chellbell20 · November 2013

We had limited room so did the dresser and changing pad. I'm glad because it worked perfect and we'll be doing the same this time.

princesscays · November 2013

Love love love my changin table: we got one through badger and it has a hamper and storage on the other side: feels much safer than dresser top. Just my opinion.

dp1320 · November 2013

The one were looking at through PB is a dresser with a removable changing area on top... So it can convert into a regular dresser once you don't need the changing area anymore!

MissLadyTay · November 2013

We did a dresser with a changing pad on top. I thought changing tables were ugly so we did it purely for aesthetic reasons. Worked great until my son was potty trained.

spinsoffresonance · November 2013

At home we have a changing pad on top of what used to be DH's childhood desk. At grandma's the changing pad is on a dresser. Any piece of furniture that is as big as the changing pad and about hip high will do. At friend's housed I either put a towel on a bed or on the bathroom floor.

Laurab1686 · November 2013

Our nursery is teeny tiny and unfortunately a dresser crib and glider won't fit comfortably. We r opting for a changing table with storage shelves for baskets and such and reworking the closet in the nursery for clothes and whatnot. Ideally we wanted the dresser and to put a changing pad/station on top...we wouldn't have done a dresser and a changing table

LindsayB0505 · November 2013

As a STM who bought a change table, I would just buy a nice big dresser the second time around that they can use as they grow.

typeset · November 2013

Changing table isn't worth it. We used a changing pad on top of the dresser.

sisterjanet · November 2013

I would've preferred a short dresser and the changing pad on top for my son, but a few weeks after my mom found out we'd already bought his crib during an amazing sale, she called and told me she bought the changing table.

I was surprised how much I used it the first few months, but once my son was something like six or eight months old he rolled over and made a valiant effort to escape over the side, and so we switched 100% to changing him on the floor.

mrspopsicle · November 2013

We had a changing pad on top of a dresser, but I rarely used it. I found it really uncomfortable to change baby sideways. It's so much easier sitting on the floor/couch/bed with them laying in front of you.

cristykaye · December 2013

Thanks so much. I just didn't want to waste money. Also I'm sure I will end up changing wherever is easy but I just want an option.

Miles2Go · December 2013

We still change DD on the changing table for every single change. I don't find it a problem to just go upstairs to do it. If I try to change her on the floor, she tries to get away mid-change. She knows the changing table is for diapers, and it's convenient that everything is right there. I would have used the dresser with the pad, but I bought the matching hutch, so there wasn't room. I don't think it makes much difference in functionality - dresser or dedicated table. Depends on your nursery and your budget.

Helmink0804 · December 2013

I'm a FTM and really love this changing table from Target! I was just thinking of getting the changing table. If I need to I can put some clothes in the same dresser that we use for my SS that we only have every other weekend.

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