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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Baby changing unit - is it necessary?

81 replies

babywhen · 16/07/2018 21:36

Most of my friends and family seem to change their babies on mats in whatever rooms they're in so I'm not sure if they're worth buying?

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Sparrowlegs248 · 16/07/2018 21:37

Absolutely not ime. I used a towel on the bed or sofa with both of mine.

ReadingRiot · 16/07/2018 21:38

I just had a mat on the floor. Seemed safer to me

Stroller15 · 16/07/2018 21:38

I didn't use one either - just used a changing mat either on the bed or in the lounge.

Pebblespony · 16/07/2018 21:39

Ha, ha. Complete opposite here. Used it for every change for the last 12 months! We'd be lost without it!

FizzyFeet · 16/07/2018 21:39

Not necessary ime either! We used a change mat on the bed (on the floor once they start rolling - much safer) and just a pretty tub for nappies/ bags/ wipes etc.

Aswad · 16/07/2018 21:39

Can it double up as say a chest of drawers or is it a stand alone unit? If you have the space and funds go for it as I would hace love one due to my back aches. Currently using a plastic mattress though!

AndromedaPerseus · 16/07/2018 21:40

It was essential for me as I have chronic lower back pain

lemonnmeringuepie · 16/07/2018 21:40

I was bought one and ashamed to say I never used it! Found it easier sitting on the floor with a changing mat.

NoNoCharlieRascal · 16/07/2018 21:41

Nope. Mat on the floor does perfectly fine.

Then again ds would only be changed standing up since he was 10 months.

SoyDora · 16/07/2018 21:41

Ours was a godsend as DH is 6ft 4 and found changing on the floor very difficult, and I have back problems so also preferred to be standing.
Totally depends whether you think you need it or not, they’re not a necessity.

Brenna24 · 16/07/2018 21:42

I have known of too many babies who have fallen off them. I think they are dangerous. I just use a mat on the floor.

DrWhy · 16/07/2018 21:42

Yep, a million people here will tell you they aren’t necessary at all and indeed we have coped when on holiday without one but a week on changing him on a bed which is just to low or getting up and down off the floor and my back definitely knows about it. Now pregnant with number two and changing him on the floor is even more uncomfortable.
Changing unit is the correct height, everything to hand, no carting things around between different rooms. Nappy bin next to it and all nappies confined to that and one lot to empty regularly.
I absolutely would be lost without it.

Casmama · 16/07/2018 21:43

I wouldn’t have been without mine- really saves the back.

thisonebreath · 16/07/2018 21:43

I think it depends. I didn't think I'd need one, but suffer from back issues so ended up getting one to save my back as it ended up really painful after a while. I'll be getting one this time from the start.

Ginger1982 · 16/07/2018 21:44

Changing on the floor will kill your back! I love ours. DS is 15 months and still using it!

Wellthisunexpected · 16/07/2018 21:44

I used a cot top changer, saved my back.

DrWhy · 16/07/2018 21:44

Oh and I’ve never worried about him rolling off it as I’d never move away from him while he’s on it, you don’t need to as at least with the one I have it has a storage drawer with everything you need underneath.

SoyDora · 16/07/2018 21:44

Ours never fell off as we never left them unattended. Kept a hand on them at all times.

bonzo77 · 16/07/2018 21:45

Yes and no. We’ve mostly changed ours on the top of a chest of drawers, with all the nappies etc kept in the top drawer. There’s no way DH would have been up and down on the floor doing nappies. Or my parents. Never had a child roll off it either. Youngest is nearly 3 and only wears a nappy for night time, but as he tends to poo in it, he’s still getting the Baby treatment.

RandomMess · 16/07/2018 21:47

Back and knee issues plus used washable nappies. Used a cot top changer for every change at home for all 3 DC, tbf we had a tiny house!

Hellywelly10 · 16/07/2018 21:47

I had one that attached to a chest of drawers. I never used it but the ex did.

HopeAndJoy16 · 16/07/2018 21:47

Another one who didn't have a unit here. We had a changing mat upstairs, and another downstairs and then i used the Next to Me crib for night tine changes (got used more for than than for sleeping!). We just didn't have the space for a seperate unit.

seven201 · 16/07/2018 21:48

We have a wedge mat (the ones with raised edges) on top of a chest of drawers. Got a piece of oilcloth cut to size to protect the wood from any spills. We don't really have space for a separate unit. Have a mat under the sofa for downstairs changes.

Watto1 · 16/07/2018 21:50

I just used one of those puffy mats on the floor with my two. I can see that a changing unit or a cot top changer would be helpful if you have back problems but I was fine on the floor.

Rinceoir · 16/07/2018 21:50

Not needed but very convenient. I found mine handy after c-section as bending was hard. It also functioned as a place to store towels, nappies, bubble bath, and there was a baby bath in it. Not a big problem if you don’t have space but I really liked mine.

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