XP: Talk to me about changing table safety straps (please)...

jena5595 · January 2014

We're working on setting up our changing table, and maybe I'm overthinking this... but the safety restraint straps have me all confused. We have the Larkin dresser & changing topper from PBK, and the wooden topper has a restraint strap, as does the changing pad. It doesn't look like the first strap attaches to the pad and wouldn't be long enough to work over the pad. The pad's strap would be fine, but it would really just attach the baby to the pad vs. the baby & pad to the actual piece of furniture - which seems inherently safer. (Checked the instructions that came with the thing, and all it showed me was how to use the buckle - gee thanks PBK!)

After taking to google, it looks like some advocate not using the strap at all, so I was hoping to get an idea of how some of you handle it. Do you use the strap(s)? If so, does your strap attach the baby just to the pad, or to the actual furniture?

dunvilles · January 2014

We do not use the straps but we also do not ever leave the baby on the changing table. I always kept one hand on ds' s belly and the other hand reached for diapers and wipes.

AKAP2010 · January 2014

Our changing table didn't have straps but the changing pad did. I cut them off. They just get in the way. I would never even strap them around my baby and walk away it wouldn't be safe.

dunvilles · January 2014

If u strap the baby to the pad the baby and pad could go off the table together... just like not strapping lo down at all. I think it boils down to common sense... for example, bumbo seats. Parents put their children in the seats on counters and tables, turned their backs, and wanted to sue the company bc their child wiggled and fell to the floor.

mayamoo · January 2014

ditto everyone else. never used the straps but also never took my hand off the baby when changing him.

gfam23 · January 2014

DH just brought this up randomly yesterday. Neither of us has ever once used the straps. They are pointless, but probably there for the same dumb reason that the newer Bumbos have a strap (as pp referred to).

You keep a hand on LO at all times on the changing table.

MamaAllison · January 2014

Yup. You don't use the straps - you just keep one hand on the baby at ALL times. You never know when they are going to first roll over.

jena5595 · January 2014

Sounds good to me - thanks, ladies!

[Deleted User] · January 2014

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sandraanddrew · January 2014

Nope never used the straps with DS, in fact we cut them off because they were in the way. Keep your hand on the baby at all times and you will be fine.

slwprincess · January 2014

We just have a changing pad on top of the dresser. I put a piece of foam shelf liner under it to keep it from sliding but honestly that is probably uneccesary. Like others said, you never leave baby unattended so we never really used the straps. Once baby got real wiggly, we started changing diapers on the floor anyway.

DC2011 · January 2014

TyrannosaurusLex said:
I am an extremist: I think the straps should be outlawed so as not to provide a false sense of security.
Like others have said, never, ever, ever remove more than one hand from the baby. You never know what day they'll learn to roll etc. Make your change area functional, and carry around a naked poopy baby if you have to. No out of reach item is worth that fall.

I agree with the "false sense of security" --- bc, really, we are all agreeing that these straps are pointless. I am a FTM, so I was definitely raising an eyebrow when looking at pictures of changing pads, like, "What's the point of that?" I agree with PPs re: the one hand rule --- that's what I've always heard.

Good job on putting everything together in the nursery, @jenna5595!

RedSoxGirl10 · January 2014

We just got our changing pad yesterday and had the same problem- my husband was like why are there so many freaking straps? We just decided we wouldn't use any of them and it sounds like that is the general consensus of everyone ha ha

Mendozamjw · January 2014

I never used the straps but for some reason never cut them off. Sometimes i would try to shove them under the pad and ended up scratching the dresser/changing table. Definitely cutting them this time!

JerseyBella · January 2014

We never used the straps either.

sdlaura · January 2014

dunvilles said:

We do not use the straps but we also do not ever leave the baby on the changing table. I always kept one hand on ds' s belly and the other hand reached for diapers and wipes.

Same. I've never used the straps. Once DD got super squirmy, we also moved the changing pad to the ground and just change her there now.

coffeyandyogapants · January 2014

I very well may be wrong, but i was just under the impression that the one that comes with the furniture os only there for if u use the cheap pad that comes with itt, if u use a changing pad u can just use the buckle that comes with the pad. Baby wont fall off the table if it has the safety bars

coffeyandyogapants · January 2014

I think u took me wrong, i meant that u dont need to use the straps from the furniture and the pad, just the pad if u are using that. I meant to say the bars are there to keep the pad on, so u dont need to use those straps

RondackHiker · January 2014

mo1484 said:
I think u took me wrong, i meant that u dont need to use the straps from the furniture and the pad, just the pad if u are using that. I meant to say the bars are there to keep the pad on, so u dont need to use those straps

The run-on sentences, poor grammar, and text speak make it really hard to understand what you're saying.

The straps and bars will not prevent a fall. Even if you use them, you must keep a hand on baby.

coffeyandyogapants · January 2014

Yes, i believe her question was just asking if it neccessary to use both the straps on the pad, as well the straps on the furniture. I was just basically saying you only need to use the pad straps.

XP: Talk to me about changing table safety straps (please)...

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