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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

What precisely defines a changing table?

32 replies

Jolleigh · 29/12/2013 00:54

I have a glass topped desk-ish table (shelves at each end, a large pane of glass on top) that I'd always planned on using in the nursery as a changing table. I don't quite get why so many people seem to spend good money on purpose built tables.

Is it not just a desk with some inbuilt storage that has a changing mat on top and room for nappies and things?

Am I missing something?

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Cariad007 · 29/12/2013 01:18

I'm just going to buy a changing mat and put it wherever I need to change baby. I think dedicated changing units with drawers and shelves etc are nice if your kid has their own room but not if you're in a smell flat like I am!

PinkPepper · 29/12/2013 01:18

I think some have raised edges. I've always changed on floor though didn't trust anything else

PinkPepper · 29/12/2013 01:19

(On floor on mat!)

Original poster

Jolleigh · 29/12/2013 01:25

Cariad - I get what you mean about the space thing. But even if people do have the space, I don't get why they pay over the top for the purpose built table. Surely it's not all about the raised edges?

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Original poster

Jolleigh · 29/12/2013 01:27

ã??giggles at Pink changing baby directly on the carpet ã??

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DramaAlpaca · 29/12/2013 01:30

It's all about baby equipment manufacturers finding as many ways as they can to part new parents from their money. Totally unnecessary.

A changing mat on the floor did us fine for all three DC.

RubyGoat · 29/12/2013 01:35

We would never have spent money on one. Thankfully, we were given a second hand one for free, which was used a lot in the first few weeks as I was a) in a lot of pain from all the stitches, & b) really rather chubby due to pregnancy weight gain. Getting up & down a dozen times a day would have pushed me over the edge!

Next time, I think we'll just go for one of those things you can put on top of a table/chest of drawers.

Original poster

Jolleigh · 29/12/2013 01:36

So I've not somehow missed that they have specialist baby bidets built in?

Good to know! Said table used to be my dressing table and was in the spare room with our wardrobes. 'Spare room' is now the nursery and I wasn't really using my dressing table for anything more than drying my hair. So I bought a changing mat, plonked it on and looking around, seem to have saved myself a pretty penny on what is effectively a table with a changing mat built in.

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WeeTeaJenny · 29/12/2013 03:31

We just used a changing mat for first baby then for second bought a cheap changing table for £20 from ikea, very simple light coloured wood and bought lovely bright storage baskets for underneath to pop the nappies and wipes in . looks neat and trendy / colourful in our little ones bedroom x We only went for one second time round as I thought I was going to be recovering from a ceaserean so didn't want to be bending ... turned out to be a normal birth but still very good . Don't need to spend a fortune to get something nice x

Franchini · 29/12/2013 08:54

We still use a changing mat on top of a chest of drawers. Dd is two! New babies arriving in march. Same thing for them.
Just have to be careful that everything is within reach so you can hold baby/dd. But everything is in the top draw!

hubbahubster · 29/12/2013 08:55

Changing mat on top of chest of drawers has done fine for us. Shelves above the drawers with baskets for nappies, wipes etc - job done!

Reiltin · 29/12/2013 08:58

I have an ikea changing mat (blow-up edges on 3 sides) that I have on top of a chest of drawers. Don't waste your money if you have something that will do. Even if it doesn't work, you can pick something up after baby's born.

Mabelandrose · 29/12/2013 10:17

A waste of money...

Artandco · 29/12/2013 10:22

We just used a changing mat. At first ontop of chest of drawers, then either on bed with towel under or on floor.

scaevola · 29/12/2013 10:27

It's a marketing ploy for a (highly time limited) item.

I'd be a bit wary if using anything glass topped though, just in case regular small vibrations (kicking etc) weaken the glass and it then shatters unexpectedly.

Mabelandrose · 29/12/2013 10:28

A waste of money...

EwanHoozami · 29/12/2013 10:29

I'm firmly in the don't buy-unnecessary-crap camp but this was actually the best purchase I made. DS2 is nearly 2 now and when he's out of nappies i'll sell it or use it as shelving in their room. Saved my back and my sanity!

I've use it 5/6/7/8 times a day for over four years now so cost-per-use makes it totally worth it.

East Coast changing unit

SaucyJack · 29/12/2013 11:41

No idea. I've always been a lap changer. Not least because I'm far too lazy to get up and go and stand in the bedroom every single time the bubba needs a clean nappy when I can do it just as well still sat on the sofa.

comfyonesie2 · 29/12/2013 11:43

Changing mat on a chest of drawers worked for us (1st DC is 12 now and we still use the chest of drawers!)

Panzee · 29/12/2013 11:45

I never worked out how to change on my lap! I use a mat on the floor.
Would a glass topped table be a bit slippy though?

Original poster

Jolleigh · 29/12/2013 12:00

It would have been Panzee but we have one of them rubber mat things you're supposed to put under a chopping board to stop it slipping and it does the job perfectly.

And to the poster who asked about the glass possibly shattering (I'm on my phone, sorry) - it's a sheet of glass specifically made and toughened for table tops so has been made to withstand quite a battering.

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Shellywelly1973 · 29/12/2013 16:16

24 years of parenting. On dc6. Never had a changing table. Bought changing mats but I always end up changing them on my lap.

I was thinking about a changing mat for the new baby but I know I won't end up using it.

SoonToBeSix · 29/12/2013 16:18

You don't need a special table but glass doesn't sound safe.

Foxeym · 29/12/2013 16:35

On DC3 and doing the same as with others, changing him wherever I am. On floor, lap, sofa, Moses basket etc, never saw the need for a special changing place, to be honest the thought of traipsing upstairs every time he needs a change seems a real pita :)

BrianTheMole · 29/12/2013 16:39

It is about the raised edge. But its a waste of money and space. Mat on floor is safer.

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