To want to get rid of our changing table?

[Bookishnerd]

This is such a first world problem, so I'm sorry for taking up space.

BUT. DH and I are currently having a stand-off about our living room organisation.

When our LO arrived in April 2020, we used a changing table both downstairs and upstairs. We were first time parents and wanted to cover all bases.

We have a long sitting room/dining room, but by the time you add in all the furniture, and all DS's toys, there's not loads of space.

We're getting an exercise bike in a few weeks and need somewhere to put it, so we're reorganising things.

To make more space, I want to get rid of the downstairs changing table. The mat could go under the sofa or up against a wall until we need it. It seems v sensible to me - and anyway, DS is 9 months old and mobile, so I don't like changing him on a tall surface.

DH has a few problems with his back, and so says that he doesn't like bending down on the floor to do changes, hence wanting to keep the changing table.

I feel for him, but there's one upstairs, so I'm not sure why he can't just go up there if he has a problem.

Our sitting room is cluttered and full and it doesn't need to be.

AIBU?

I would get rid. Personally I don't think they are particularly safe once baby gets bigger and is more mobile.

YANBU - we got rid of our changing table probably when DS was around the same age - he was getting too mobile for us to feel safe using it anyway! If we change him downstairs we use our travel changing mat - more often than not it’s just easier to pop him upstairs for a change, so I don’t see why your DH can’t do that.

I have the back issue and find sitting on a low step from IKEA to lean forward and change on the floor easier.

Definitely change on the floor once they're mobile. I used to keep the mat under the sofa.

I stopped using my changing table when DD was around 7-8 months and it was fine. However it only lasted a short time. As she got older she just kept rolling away and fighting being changed and as weird as it sounds, it's much easier to change her on the changing table again because she has no where to go. She still tries to turn around etc but it's easier to control her. If I change her on the floor/ sofa or bed, I can forget it. She's unbearable. My two cents ! But I understand why you want to get rid of it.

I wouldn’t have had one downstairs in the first place tbh- it’s not that much effort to go upstairs. I’ve used ours well into the 2s for both children but your toy situation will not improve- it will get worse and worse each year so you’d be better with toy storage downstairs.

Once baby can roll they they should be changed on the floor

I would get rid. They are terrible things really and very dangerous with a mobile child.

Get rid, presuming your dh's back problems dont preclude him climbing stairs. If you are planning to keep on using the upstairs table now he's mobile you might want to know that there are special changing mats you can buy with a rigid back piece and straps that stop them rolling off.

Get rid but would offer to do all the changes if he has back issues and he struggles changing on the floor.