STMs: Playard with or without changing table?

Aug2016BBNY · June 2016

Hi sorry I couldn't find an existing thread on this. For those of you who are already moms, do you think it is worth it to get a playard with a diaper changer attachment? Was thinking of getting something like this (just a bassinet) because it seems we can just change the baby in the bassinet right?

We have a 2 story house and are planning on keeping the playard on the bottom floor as a nap/changing station. Just wondering if any moms thought a dedicated changer was worth it.

Thanks in advance!

AnnaS930 · June 2016

We used our play yard for the exact same thing - as a changing station on the first floor of the house, since the nursery and changing table were on the second story - I highly suggest it. We used one with a changing station and I really liked that - it keeps baby up higher (easier especially immediately post-partum), keeps baby a little bit more in one place as the side are higher on a changing station, and they are usually made of a wipe-down plasticy material.. and trust me, newborns pee often when the diaper is removed and/or poo-splosions get everywhere.

Though we intended for baby to nap in the play yard, it was full of baby stuff 99% of the time - basically held his clean clothes because we did most changes on the first floor versus up in his room with the dresser/closet. Naps were in the swing, actual crib, vibrating chair, in our arms, etc.

KimmySchmidt · June 2016

Our house is too small to justify a second changing station, so we were fine with the basic pack n play. I'm anti-extra baby crap. So i'd personally rather walk across the house than have more stuff to manage. Personal preference though.

FYI you should check out the "Ask a BTDT mom" thread. This kind of question would have fit in well there and there is a lot of useful little tidbits there.

Flowr4246 · June 2016

i think having a changing station on your first floor is key to sanity, BUT i also don't like how hunched over you have to be to use the changing station that's built into the play yards. Plus, your baby will outgrow that attachment long before s/he outgrows diapers. So I'd just get a plain play yard and then register for 2 changing pads. Find any flat surface in your downstairs and set it up as a changing station for your LO. Ours is currently set up on the buffet in our dining room. And since I never use that buffet for dishes anyway, I have the added bonus of using the storage space for extra diapers, wipes and baby food in my downstairs. Life saving!

SuperFudge00 · June 2016

We have a pnp for this and barely used it. DS wouldn't sleep in it and I found it too low to be useful as a changing station. It became a very large storage container.

JennM205 · June 2016

I agree with @AnnaS930 - we used a Pack N Play with changing station when DD was a baby and liked it a lot for the same reasons Anna mentioned. We didn't live in a very big house then, so the PNP/changing station use was limited to nighttime use for the duration that DD slept in our room (about 3.5 months) and then wasn't needed anymore. This time, we have a much larger house and will be using the PNP/changing station on the first floor like you plan to do - so I see it being useful for a little bit longer this time, as well!

AnnaS930 · June 2016

We honestly had it set up in our living room for at least 6-9 months. It was just SO easy to do diaper changes on the first floor and have some changes of clothes for him within reach.

mrsvoorhees-2 · June 2016

I could take it or leave it, but we had a changing pad for the dresser. One word of advice though, when you change baby at that station, do NOT stand on the business end. Stand to baby's side. I repeat, especially in the beginning, do NOT stand at the business end.

AMT1107 · June 2016

Same as @AnnaS930 we had the pack and play set up downstairs with the reversible napper/changer it was a life saver!

I did not plan on a c-section, so this was even more valuable to us since I was told not to go up and down stairs more than 1-2 times a day (bedrooms and nursery are upstairs). We changed DS here, flipped it over, he would nap there. And he was always close when we were in the living room watching TV. For the extra $20 or so that it does cost, I think the reversible napper is well worth it and it doesn't not take up extra space, so win win!

AnnaS930 · June 2016

lol @MrsVoorhees - I stood at Emmett's feet during every change for those first 6 months. I was better at changing in that direction than at his side. I also put a wipe over his member immediately every single time I changed him...

mrsvoorhees-2 · June 2016

AnnaS930 said:

lol @MrsVoorhees - I stood at Emmett's feet during every change for those first 6 months. I was better at changing in that direction than at his side. I also put a wipe over his member immediately every single time I changed him...

The first day we were home, I was all cute and new, and changed her immediately after she first pooped because I thought she was done. I went back to change her and was shat upon with such force that it splashed up in my face, all in my hair, my shirt was ruined with mustard poop, my pregnancy pillow, our bedding, and our carpet were all victims. I yelled, "oh god!" And my mom came running back all scared and then died laughing.

AnnaS930 · June 2016

@MrsVoorhees - HAAAA!!!!
I really enjoyed sitting on the couch with my knees at an angle, baby sitting on my lower belly and his back leaning against my thighs after feeding him. (weird description, hope that makes sense). One morning, I was still just wearing a tank top which was folded up a bit after nursing, he had a poo-splosion in that position, that came right out the onesie leghole and INTO MY BELLY BUTTON! I was home alone with him and had to just sit there for a few minutes strategizing how to get him to the changing table without the poo pouring onto the couch or carpet. My husband loved that story.

camichael84 · June 2016

We got one with a changing station and never used it. The changing station just held diaper supplies and we changed her on the bed or on the diaper changer in her room. We don't have a large house, and it's one story, though. I can see it being helpful for diaper changes with a multilevel home.

ssimon621 · June 2016

If I had a two story home I would consider it. I have a one story and we always changed and dressed on the changing table/dresser.

miam4 · June 2016

We also have a 2 story house and the packandplay on the bottom floor was more changing station than for nap. DD used to nap in a swing. It was definitely worth it for me.

Aug2016BBNY · June 2016

@MrsVoorhees lol thanks!

618mom22boys · June 2016

I've never used any sort of changing table with any of my other three. We either used a bed, couch, or floor. We even had one in the pnp with the last and never used it.

asht · June 2016

Changing table is nice but often use the bed or couch more than anything

Sbrown721 · June 2016

https://www.target.com/p/fisher-price-ultralite-day-night-play-yard-coastal-mist/-/A-16435009?regMode=REGST&registryId=6WY984pxcMwuN_5EI_2b8g&registryType=baby&itemLineNum=111&backLinkName=my registry&backLinkUrl=/gift-registry/myitems?registryId=6WY984pxcMwuN_5EI_2b8g&pageFrom=myitems

This is on my registry...may be a good solution for you!

erinmarie86 · June 2016

@Sbrown721 i second your suggestion...we are looking into the fisherrprice one (in your post) and the baby Guava. We have a Guava for my son and it's much more comfortable for sleeping than a pack n play. It also folds up nicely and is light and easy to travel with. The only things i don't like about the Guava is that it's pricey and you have to pay extra for the bassinet conversion...where as the fisherprice one has it all.

tinypikachu · June 2016

I had a PnP on my registry that had a changing table and napper so I could keep it in the living room. Then I realized the spot we would keep it in is literally 6-8ft away from the nursery (where we will have a changing table). So I took it off and got a regular one since I really won't need it. If I had a 2-story house, I'd definitely consider it but I think that you won't be able to use it as a changing table for very long as baby grows. It's obviously up to you, but I do see myself changing baby on the couch often if I had a 2-story house.

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