Changing Table Debate

[ThatCatLady]

Hello All, soon to be new Mum here.
We rent our house and don’t have a room for a nursery so for now baby stuff is to be integrated into our room.
The changing table is the question. Most of the ones I see in nurseries look like you are side in from the baby, but husband (helped raise his younger brother 13 years difference) said that having one where baby faces you is the only really practical option, as on the side is just a nightmare.
It would fit the room better to have a side on, so we wanted opinions - who here has a side on arrangement? Do you like it? Hate it? Many people have told me changing tables get abandoned in favour of just the portable mats, opinions?
Pretty please help a new mumma out <3

I’m with your DH. It is much easier. That said, I wasn’t planning on using a changing table, just a changing mat on the floor or bed, until someone gave us a changing table.

Now that I am a few years in and have used a changing table as well as floors and beds while travelling and out and about, I would say - get a changing table! Bending over a bed or kneeling on the floor to change nappies is not fun and will destroy your back.

I can change a nappy side on, lots of restaurant and shopping centre changing tables are side on. But one that faces you is so, so much easier.

Your DH is right.

Two kids and never used a changing table anyway. Mat on floor or bed. If you do have one, I agree straight on is best.

We never had a changing table and are expecting our second any day now. Just have a changing mat and a nappy caddy downstairs and upstairs. Seems like a wasted expense IMO but one of my mum friends had one and they had the sideways one - which I found really fiddly to use as I'd got so used to changing front ways!

I always used a cot top changer for 3DC using cloth.

When they were very young I had a 2nd basic changing unit downstairs so I didn't have to go upstairs with 2 non-walking babies.

I didn't change them on the floor at home due to knee and back issues.

I have three DDs (all now grown up).

I never used a changing table at all except when out and about so needing to use the public facilities provided, the majority of which were side on with harnesses and no problems there.

At home I just used a mat on the floor. Remember that they can wriggle and fall off any raised surface. They can't fall off the floor.

So changing mat only for me. At a push I would strap them into the pram/pushchair with it laid back and a mat behind and underneath them.

Never used one either. Mat on sofa/floor/bed. We didn't even sort the nursery until after the baby was born to be honest as we lived downstairs during the day and in our bedroom at night. You're not going to want to trek to the nursery every time your baby needs a nappy change!

One piece cot top changer with wedges sides to reduce rolling risk.

Has a baby mirror and mobile above for them to look at, did all my baby message there too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-Changing-Changer-70x50-Peacock/dp/B08BPFW78V/ref=ascdffB08BPFW78V/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14112684839693661109&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006981&hvtargid=pla-2281435177138&psc=1&mcid=6d48a9473ad53a4a925c47758311bf8d&hvocijid=14112684839693661109-B08BPFW78V-&hvexpln=74&gadsource=1

IKEA basic one we had downstairs

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/sniglar-changing-table-beech-white-20045205/

I only ever used a mat on the bed, and then on the floor once he was old enough to wriggle.
A bath stand with a bucket underneath for drainage is also a waste of money. You'll most likely use it once and then just use the baby bath in the bath or shower as it's so much easier.

Both ways are fine

I change my toddler on the change table sideways as it’s just what I feel the most comfortable and my DH straight …. There is room for him to stand at the end and me at the side…. I think it’s whatever is easiest for you … I found sideways best as I was closer to her face to talk to her when she was crying during nappy changes as a baby but it is entirely what works best for you

I have a bad back so has this Stokke straight on changing table. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255362783763?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338268676&toolid=10044&customid=CjwKCAjwiaa2BhAiEiwAQBgyHmriMNjPYVRjQeRqphjmvKXKa0ZfxMlwxV1vxI-Pncg9waGyUPcOaBoCkE4QAvD_BwE

They don't make that particular one any more but it was fab.

Both are fine.
Standing at their feet is probably marginally easier for changes, but not at the expense of what works in the room. I've done both.

Thanks folks - hubby has taken the consensus so far as he was right 🤣 I think for knees and back floor will be impractical for us, but I definitely appreciate the input.
We decided on a “flip-able” option with a flip down section so we can do side on or lengthways, and going second hand so that if we didn’t use it we didn’t spend a fortune but at least have some baby storage.
You guys made the decision a lot easier, thank you all!!

Worst thing I bought for my 1st. Used it maybe twice, so impractical and a real waste of money.

Spent most of the young years with both my babies on the floor with a mat

Unless you have a C-section which makes kneeling to change baby harder, a changing mat on the floor is the safer option…baby can’t roll off. Very young babies can be changed on the bed. A nice changing mat only costs ten pounds.

Just get a changing pad and put it on the bed when the baby needs changing.

Hate changing tables.
I just change mine on the bed or the floor.

We happened to have a cheap and cheerful studenty desk that we put in the nursery and put a changing mat on. Job done, kept it there until DC were homework age.