Recommendations for location of changing mat

[sugarcandyskull]

I wonder if anyone has any helpful brainwaves which may help me work out what to do regarding changing mat/tables! All rooms are relatively large rooms but our only spare room is in the loft with a steep staircase to it so we plan to leave that as is and keep baby in with us for the first 6 months-ish until we move. Although the rooms are large, there's no obvious spaces for extra furniture such a changing table, but if that seems like the best option then I will figure something out!

Now to get to the actual question, apologies for the rambling, should we get a designated changing table? And if so, for our bedroom or the bathroom? Or should I just have a changing 'kit' in each of the rooms (lounge, bathroom, our bedroom)? The layout out of our house involves a lot of stairs, if that makes any difference. Lounge downstairs - flight of stairs - bathroom - flight of stairs - bedroom.

Apologies if this was long winded, just occupying my brain while on maternity leave!

I wouldn't bother. Even if you did find it useful, by the time baby starts rolling they aren't particularly safe! I always end up on the floor in whatever room I'm in, so maybe just get a few nice baskets with supplies in each of your main rooms - lounge, bedroom, bathroom, etc.

Wouldn't bother with a dedicated table as they quickly grow out of them. I'd have a changing mat for use in the living area and bedroom along with nappies, wipes, etc. Enjoy the rest of your mat leave before baby arrives

Changing mat that goes behind the settee when not in use? That’s all we did and changed them on the floor. Comes in handy for nappy off time on top of a towel as well.

I couldn’t be fucked going to a designated area just to change a nappy.

I didn't even think about them being pretty useless once he's rolling about - I knew I would get some brainwaves asking rather than trying to figure it out myself

I'll make up some little kits for each room them, saves up and down the stairs 13455 times a day

I did little kits and loved it. Only two mind you, one in the living room and one in the bathroom. Just a travel mat, cotton wool, nappies. Much simpler (and cheaper!) than changing tables.

Our mat slid nicely under tv unit in living room and put nappies etc in one of the units drawers.

Changing a baby on a carpeted floor grosses me out. SIL's living room carpet is ruined by explosive poo stains even though she uses a plastic mat. No idea why anyone would do that if they have a tiled bathroom they could use instead!

I can only recommend you getting a proper changing table. Personally I have found this to be by far the best and most essential baby equipment we invested in. I would go for a decent size one too, that doubles up as a chest of drawers. We have an IKEA one that we still use daily with our 32 month old. We have ours in the bathroom and that is also the place I would recommend to anyone who has the space. Even if you don't use cotten wool and warm water for every nappy change (we do), there will be plenty of times you will be glad for the relative proximity to the sink... It also makes bath time easier as you have all you need right there to get your baby dry and cozy. I personally would also not like the smell of nappies in my own or the babies bedroom - no matter how frequently you change the bin - once they are on solids it just pongs

It also sounds as if the bathroom is the most central place for you. There won't be many nappy changes at night, so I would not worry about night time trips down the stairs. Finally - I would not really like to have the clutter of the changing table in my bedroom.

Some great advice on both sides, thank you all! I do like the idea of having a changing table in the bathroom so a little central station but wasn't sure if the idea was better than the reality! Thanks again all, I'll keep pondering

I agree that there are some very useless changing tables! If you are getting one, get one with a proper top and a changing mat that prevents accidental role off. Obviously don't leave your baby unattended...

Here is a link to the IKEA one that works so well for us. It is large enough for our son to still be changed from the front (I prefer this to side on changing).

www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/childrens-ikea-products/baby/changing-tables-nursing/sundvik-changing-table-chest-of-drawers-white-art-90256727/

For the first couple of weeks post partum changing the baby on the floor wouldn't have been at all comfortable for me. We used a changing mat on the coffee table. A dedicated piece of furniture seems like overkill - I would use a coffee table or chest of drawers

I always found it much easier to quickly change a 9 month old with a portable kit in situ, than have an argument with a 9 month old about stopping whatever they were doing to go and use the dedicated changing space!!

I had one on top of a chest of drawers in my bedroom and one under the sofa in the living room.

I always put it on the floor, so if they rolled or pushed backwards it wasn't a disaster. Ds2 liked to push away so I'd change him with his body between my legs so he couldn't wriggle free.

B&M fold up mats for about £1.99 - one for upstairs one for downstairs and one for change bag.

Also fantaatic mn idea of a basket of wipes, nappies, cream, muslin and spare outfit for up and downstairs saved my life in the early days!!!

Dont do what i did though and do the first change in hospital on the WRONG SIDE OF THE MAT therefore breaking it in nicely with a poo stain on the non wipe side - doh!

Change mat lived behind sofa, next to sofa a had basket with nappies, wipes few baby grows, vest etc.

Upstairs I just changed baby on my bed after bath etc and kept nappies etc in there to

I think you’re over thinking somewhat, but that’s what one does!

We had a mat on top of a chest of drawers in the baby’s room (with a non slip mesh under it from eBay or something), with the nappies etc in the top drawer. This arrangement still is use with youngest who is 2.3.

And another mat under the sofa with a nappies etc in draper in the tv unit. Also a stack of supplies in my bedside drawers for night time changes which I did on a towel (or often just on my lap) in bed.

Changing a baby on a carpeted floor grosses me out. SIL's living room carpet is ruined by explosive poo stains even though she uses a plastic mat. No idea why anyone would do that if they have a tiled bathroom they could use instead!

Poo stains tiles too, you know. And it’s a lot cheaper to clean a carpet properly than change a bathroom floor...

I would just get a cot top changer. Do not waste your money and space on a separate changing table. I liked being able to remove it and carry it around the house as needed as well as to bring with us when traveling (by car) to see family. We kept it in our bedroom in the early days and would bring it downstairs during the day (we lived in a drafty old cottage so only kept the heat up in a few rooms, so didn't want to be carrying her all over just to change her when I could do it where it was nice and warm). But it was nice to have the option to use it over the cot, especially when she was older. When she weighed more it started to hurt my back getting up and down from the floor or bending over the bed, so it was good to have something that could do both.

The best piece of advice I was given was that babies can't fall off the floor. As a result I always changed DS on a matter on the floor.

I loved my changing station. Keeps everything together and I think changing nappies in the living room is minging

We had one mat upstairs and one downstairs. He downstairs one slides under the sofa. Used existing dressing table for early days, then floor. Or got DH to do the changing while I was still sore post c section.

Change mat in living room with little basket with all equipment, and a second one in our bedroom. My two would have been horrific to change on a table.
You do end up doing nappy changes in the middle of the night, unless my two were odd... Nappies are fine inside nappy sacks till morning. When they can be transported to the wheeliebin. Never used a nappy bin, just straight to bin for us. It's just a case of what works for you.

Another bathroom changer here. Just so much more hygienic, sink and nappy bin right there. I prefer keeping poo and wee out of my living and sleeping areas. We started off with an over the bath changing unit from amazon which we were able to easily take down for using the shower. When DD was older we bought a nice big changing mat and changed her on the bathroom floor.