Changing table or no table

[Laura1348]

Hello all,
My nursery is too small for a changing table and set of drawers.
I'm thinking of using the top of the drawers as the changing table.
(I've read some people don't bother with changing tables)

I was wondering if anyone else does this?
Does anyone have any advice how I can secure the changing mat to the top of the drawers?

Thanks in advance
Laura

I always changed mine on my lap. Don't people do that anymore?

@eddiemairswife surely that only works when they are very small?

Also poo explosions...i definitely wouldn't want that on my lap!

There’s a trick to chanigng on your knee, I learnt it from watching very experienced childminders who would have a toddlers nappy changed in 30 seconds without breaking conversation at toddler group.

I had a changing table but I just put the changing mat in the floor most the time, had one upstairs and another downstairs

If baby is either in your room or with you in the living room a changing table in the nursery is an absolute waste of money.

Ours was one of our most used items but we lived in a bungalow so was so easy to go to dds room.

We’re now expecting our second but in a house. I know it won’t be used half as much this time. Obviously we will keep it, makes a great little storage unit for nappies, smellies, muslins etc but I wouldn’t buy one now, being in a house.

We used a change mat that was designed for over a cot, so had the firm base and high sides. Removed the screws and caps that hold it in place so it would lay flat on the top of the drawers and got some rug grip to keep it in place. DS is now 18months, exceptionally wriggly and it hasn't budged an inch and no damage at all to the drawers.

Changing mat on the floor. Changing tables are a potential hazard after 3 or 4 months. Save yourself the money.

I've often heard the advice that a changing table is pointless but for me it's the best thing I bought. But you can just use the floor! Well I suppose but then you are bending over and kneeling on the floor 5+ times per day. I wouldn't be without mine, if space is limited I'd get the mat for the top of the chest of drawers.

I don't understand how changing tables are hazards from 3-4 months old?
You put your baby on and change them and then lift them off.
I have a little caddy that hooks onto the side of the changing table that has nappies etc in and my reusable wipe boxes are there at hand also.

Our chest of drawers came with a lip around the edges so a changing mat went on top. We've used for pretty much every nappy changes at home. I hate changing my DS on the floor. He wriggles and rolls and tries to get away and it's uncomfortable for me.

Quite.... only a hazard if you walk away from your baby.... it's v easy not to do that.

My baby is 8 months. No intentions to stop using it.

I used to work in a nursery and all children were changed on a changing table until they were toilet trained!! Never had an incident of a child falling off one!

Our changing table doubles up as drawers and a small cupboard - the cupboard has all the nappies in for quick access and all the clothes are in the drawers. The changing table part can eventually be removed when you don’t need it anymore so your just left with the furniture piece. It’s the only proper piece of furniture we had in there besides the cot. Lots of people I know don’t have one though, they simply use the changing mat on the floor - I liked standing and having DS at my hight because it’s easier on my back.

4 children here. Never once used a changing table. Only ever on my knee or the changing may, wherever I put it.
If you don't want to bend put it on the bed or the sofa. I found this much easier.

We are in a flat and just used a changing mat on the floor. No space for a changing table or chest of drawers anyway, and we didn't buy a full size cot until she was 5 months old.

Literally no idea how you change a baby on your lap though! (But mine was always a once-every-48-hours-huge-blowout kind of girl.)

With DS we had a cot top changer, but if you haven't got a cot yet you could get one that goes on a chest of drawers instead.

Personally I found it very helpful to be able to change him without bending down on the floor.

Obviously once he got bigger and more mobile we switched to changing him on the floor, but the changes were less frequent by then.

I change over my knee, it's by far the most convenient it means I can change anywhere I can sit down and the child gets used to every nappy change being done the same way.

Years ago before modern changing tables all mums managed to change terry nappies over their knee - if they could do it I'm sure we all can.

I put a mat on the top of the drawers

I always use my changing table for my daughter who is 15months. I don’t want pooey nappy smell in my living room, nor do I find it comfortable to bend over on to the floor 10+ times a day. Whenever we’ve been away I’ve missed it. It also stores all our nappies and wipes and so on.

We have an ikea one with drawers underneath, can convert to a desk when the child is older I think. Might be worth looking in to OP.

I hate changing tables! I work in childcare so I've changed a million nappies. A cheap mat for the floor or sofa is fine!

I also love that this post has ended up in this topic (childcare) 🤣

We had two changing mats one upstairs and one downstairs. Kept it behind the sofa in the lounge. I had c sections and never found this a problem.

We just had a couple of changing mats dotted around the house.
One of the only times I changed my baby on my lap, I (and my car) got covered in breastfed newborn slurry. We were at a service station, I thought I’d rather change her in the car than in the unhygienic bathroom. There are still remnants of yellow / orange in the seatbelt mechanism

I had a cot top changer and loved it. I used washable nappies so was easier to change upstairs.

I also had a basic Ikea changing unit downstairs when I had a 14 month old and a new born...

My knees are wrecked so couldn't change on the floor tbh.