Baby changing table top or over cot?

[Rosehyd2]

We have a really lovely solid pine chest of drawers at the perfect height to change baby on, buts it's only 42cm deep. This isn't wide enough to just put a changing mat on top as there's no extra surface around it for stability.

We don't have room for another unit in baby's room [or any other room] and it seems silly to buy a whole new unit when the current one has great storage and we own it already.

I've been told changing tops that go over the cot are really annoying and heavy when you have baby in one arm etc.

Should I ask my husband to fix a raised wooden border to the top of our current chest of drawers so a changing mat could just fit inside it?

I'm a FTM so have no experience. Your opinions welcome please!

Titty! I would ask your husband to put a raised border round the chest of drawers
#everydaysexism
Can you explain Titty how you find this phrase sexist.
She asking her husband can be do something for the baby's changing p!ace.
What is she supposed to do demand her husband does a household job
insist her husband does a household job
What the hell are you taking about??
Sexist!! My arse.!!!!

I don’t think titty read the full post.

I would say do the raised border idea, but at only 42cm wide it isn't going to last you very long safely I wouldn't think, with or without order so I would just use it for the first 3-4 weeks, never leave baby unattended on there and then move to another option hopefully once your sciatica is better(?!).
We used the top of our Hemnes dresser for a couple of months at the start when we needed to change DD upstairs, but it was 55cm deep I think. We then moved to the floor in her room.
I'm now expecting twins and we are going to get a second hand changing unit this time for the bedroom just to avoid twice as much bending down, plus extra space to store twice as many nappies etc. Think I may get something for downstairs too. Just all about making life easier this time plus I'm 3 years older than with DD....

KMoKMo. Maybe Titty did not read the full post but it irritates the hell out of me, when people throw the sexism accusation around. I

@TillyGolightly - one of the options the OP suggested was to ask her husband to fix it. Presumably she knows her skills and his and knows he is best placed to do this job. I don't think it's sexist for another poster to say she should ask him.

I had a pine chest of drawers with a solid sloped edged changing mat on top...it could've been a cot mat with the feet screwed out...it was heavy and solid...I pulled the drawers out a little from the wall and it sat well on top..

Used the drawers to keep all my nappies Muslins towels cotton wool etc in...had room at the end to put a top and tail bowl on for washing..

I always used it for changing...hate the smell of poo in a living room and changing bums in front of visitors...I also washed bums rather than wet wiping as a result...

Loved it..

@itsonkyme totally agree

I got one of the cot top changers very similar to the link Alexandra posted, however since DS was in moses basket then a space saving cot that was very low, it wasn’t much use and since I had a c section I just went and got a changing table from Ikea for like £25 and just use the cot top changer on top of that. Still use it now and he is over 1.

I’d probably modify the unit you already have since you don’t have space for any more furniture and the cot top changers can be awkward to get on and off one handed. Also if you end up with a c section, less lifting etc.

Thanks everyone.

Saying my husband could put a raised edge around wasn't sexist. He can work wonders with wood and tools whereas I'm more the painting, furniture selector, and flat pack builder. Each to their own skill set, gender aside.

Interesting point about baby soon out growing the narrow changing top. I hadn't thought of that.

I'm not really sure what to do as we don't have space for an extra unit. The floor isn't an option if my sciatica stays.

And for those that don't understand the raised edge need - it's because the surface is narrow. By putting a simple changing mat on top it would cover it completely, and potentially hang over the edge a couple cm. I don't want to risk putting baby anywhere that doesn't feel secure. Obviously I would never leave them unattended but I wouldn't want them hanging off the edge slightly whilst I'm trying to change them.

As I said...take the feet off a cot changer and put it on the chest of drawers...

Pulled out a bit from the wall it will be quite steady...I changed mine up until a year or two on it..

As I said...take the feet off a cot changer and put it on the chest of drawers...

Pulled out a bit from the wall it will be quite steady...I changed mine up until a year or two on it..

I’d just put a wooden border around it. A lot cheaper and easier in the long run.