Where to change baby?

[malin100]

I am pregnant with my first and trying to figure out storage options and logistics at the moment. We have a very small house, we are quite minimalist already so the things we have are things we need but will really struggle fitting in things for the baby.

Realistically, I can't find anywhere to put a changing table. There's a chance I might need to have a C section (waiting for a re-scan) so I'm led to believe I might find it hard to change on the floor.

The bathroom is downstairs (and small and cold) and both bedrooms are upstairs. Would a fold down or cot top changer in the bedroom work or would I need water? Planning to mostly use reuseables but some disposables. Other than on the floor of the bathroom, I thought maybe a cot top type changer on the bath? I have never changed a nappy, if you can't tell already!

I'd say that as a first time mum it's a lot easier to start of with wipes and disposable nappies. Having to figure out the best way to deal with shitty wipes and/or nappies/inserts/liners etc. and a laundry system that works for you is a bit much when you might never have even seen a dirty nappy or changed a baby.
Most people/places I know suggest this after a few weeks rather than from the start. It can be very overwhelming for a first time mum... I would never have had time to make solutions/deal with additional laundry on top of clothes with my first baby from the start...

We had a changing unit over the bath which you can leave on whilst showering and comes off easily when you want to use the bath. It had the perfect height to make it easier for my back. At the beginning you will be changing a lot of nappies, it won't be very comfortable on the bed or the floor. For me nappy changing belongs into the bathroom for hygienic and practical reasons if anything. If you are interested I can find you the Amazon link for the changing unit.

Have had 3, 1 csection.

Used changing mat for all 3, anywhere and everywhere (usually floor). Had a big cheap one from Tesco and a fold up freebie from somewhere, that lasted all 3!

Reusable nappies, reusable wipes!

Tbh by about 5 months most babies are wriggly little buggers and you don't want them at any kind of height so a mat on the bed/floor is fine

Definitely interested in reusable wipes as well.

In saying that, I can see why it would make sense to have disposable wipes or cotton wool pads and nappies for the first couple of weeks.

I suppose the reason I thought I'd need water more was that I'd want to wash my hands. So if I change in the night, upstairs, you don't think I'd end up going down to the bathroom anyway to wash my hands? Or do hands generally not get dirty?

Definitely interested in having a look at the bath top changer as well, please!

Any recommendations for good general changing mats? For the person who said Mamas and Papas, is it the essential one or the luxury one (which seems a bit OTT for me!)?

Thanks everyone for your input so far - I have so much to think about!

But surely once they move changing up high is dangerous anyway as can roll off?

Our bathroom is bigger, so we just changed on mat on bathroom floor. Changing nappies out of bathroom is a bit gross imo, I don't see why loads change in bedrooms or living areas so shitty smell is everywhere. Bathroom, even in doorway if tiny, then can empty nappy down toilet straight away ( you do know even disposable nappies should be emptied from poo). Wash hands etc.

Yes you do need to wash hands after every nappy change. Otherwise it's like you going to toilet and not washing hands

www.amazon.co.uk/Okbaby-Flat-Changing-Unit-Grey/dp/B0041TWX2O

In that case, if I'm going to the bathroom anyway I probably might as well just get a bath top changer and/or change in the doorway of the bathroom (when bigger).

I really like the look of the bath top changer as it can also be cot top or freestanding at other times or if we ever move house and have a different set up! Expensive, but I'm trying not to focus on cost and focus on space-saving and time-saving for now anyway - hopefully some kind grandparent-to-be will ask what we'd like as a baby present...

As an aside take some baby oil to hospital and put it on the babies bum as soon as you can (with the first nappy if possible) and then you can get the first poo that is black and tarry off more easily, keep oiling baby's bum at each nappy change until normal looking poos start to come through.

Ah, is that what baby oil is for?! OK, will do!

You can just get a mat and put behind bathroom door if you want. Sitting on bathroom floor with baby infront on Mat will be easier than kneeling infront on bath I would have though my as bath floor will be hard on knees. Also you would need somewhere to move bath top thing to have a bath :)

The bath top thing seems like I could do it standing up which would be good. I rarely have time for a bath now so doubt I'll do it much with a baby, and depending on measurements (will get measuring tape out later) I might be able to leave it on and still squeeze in between the shower screen and changer to get in for my shower, so it seems like the most viable option at the moment. Would only work if it fits on my space-saving size bath though, and I'd have to find new storage solutions for all the shampoo, face wash, shower gel, conditioner bottles that are at that end of the bath, but that shouldn't be too big a problem in the grand scheme of things!

I changed mine on my knee.

DP couldn't get the hang of knee changes so we kept a changing mat (with a towel on, they get freezing!) pushed under the sofa.

He just used to pull it out and change ds on the floor / couch / coffee table then push it back under 😀

Yes the bath top changer is raised so that you are standing comfortably in front of it. Kneeling in front of it would be defeating the purpose... It is very well designed. We stopped using it after about a year and then started changing my DD on the bathroom floor on a mat. Roll on potty training!

I always wash my hands!

Definitely need other options than changing in the bathroom for us - 1 tiny bathroom with only toilet, and there is always someone in it!

If I change a nappy downstairs then I wash my hands in the kitchen.

Update: the OKbaby bath top changer won't fit my bath but I'm now hooked on the idea. Can't find any other types in the UK but have found one sold in Germany that might work so looking into that...

In the kindest possible way, I really think you're making this more composted than it sends to be.

Complicated not composted, fricking autocorrect

In the first few days I used a changing mat on the sofa or anot old towel on the bed. After that it's always been over my knee unlesa it's a poonami then the mat comes out. Never bothered with cotton wool either.

*an

I had a c section and couldn't do changes on the floor for a few weeks. I also found sofa changes uncomfortable.

We had a cot top changer which was the perfect height. Once DD was starting to get mobile (and I thought she may bang her head on it!) I bought a proper changing unit as I found lifting the cot top one on and off annoying.

Also I wouldn't spend much on a changer.

0-2 months - change on Mat at table if you need to not bend from c section

2-6 months - anywhere

6+ months - floor as baby can roll and start crawling.

By 15 months my first child was fully toilet trained also so only just over a year of nappy changes.

I used reuseables when did was about 3 months and that didn't last very long as I was having to change her more often and it was a nightmare also the extra washing was a massive hassle.

I have had 2 c sections. 16 months apart. I found changing difficult. Especially with the older one who isn't potty trained yet. I change her on the floor and found the only things the right height for the little one are a dressing table and the dining room table and I just moved the changing mat into whatever room I'm in although I live in a bungalow so it's easy moving stuff about. I have the ikea changing mat with the inflatable surround. And I'm not ashamed of getting anyone else to do it if they offer whilst I am recovering.

I've never had poonami with either of them though.