Are changing tables and rocking chairs nursery essentials?

[dal21]

Hi there - I am 24+1 weeks along with my first and starting to kit the nursery out. The nursery is not huge and I dont want to kit it out with stuff I wont actually use. So my question is this. How essential are a rocking chair/ changing table in the nursery? Did you have them? If so did you use them? Were they a must have?

Let me know your thoughts as I keep going round in circles! Much appreciated!

thanks

In response to OP, no you don't need either.

If you dont have room in nursery, is there somewhere else in house? Rocking chair in your room as baby will be there for a few month (Im guessing) and changing table downstairs? Or like the others suggested on that goes over the cot
L

I bought a glider chair and the motion made me feel sick!

I wish i had used the money to buy a changing table as when I change DS at my friends its so much easier.

Our nursery didn't have space for either.
We had a cot top changer but as dd was in our room to start with we rarely used it and just had a changing mat on the floor which went under the bed when not in use. Didn't have a rocking chair but did get a chair in our bedroom for night feeds which I used for a couple of days then just fed her in bed.

We have one of those Ikea chests-of-drawers with changing table thing on top. Was well worth it IMO - partly for the storage space, partly as I've found it right for me when changing nappies - when we've been away and had to do it on the bed or floor, I've always found it awkward.

We have a rocking chair (from before children), and I don't think I bf in it once in 2 years of bf.

Well had two children and fostered three more without either of the items you named.

Suprisingly enough we even survived without a moses basket. Shock.

Oooh wanted to add something else...we bought a Graco travel cot that had a changing attachment to it. Left that down in the living room for changes during the day and now it doubles up as a playpen and somewhere to plonk DS safely while I'm hoovering and also as travel cot when go away, so its a 3 in one purchase as it where!

Also survived without a nursing chair.

Did not have either.When babies tiny and were in room with us I would just change them on mat on our bed,or on mat on floor..Did not have rocking chair.Tended to bf in bed,on sofa,buses,park benches,shops,cafes .....

Save some money and buy some lovely stuff for yourself.

changing table - yes - but not a standalone - we have one of those chest of drawers which you can put a padded change mat on. Baby loves it and so do I - saves my poor back. Its been his favourite place since he came home - probably because his face is very close to ours and we have lots of playtime on there. I never leave him alone on it and if I have to turn away I leave my hand on to make sure he doesnt slip off. If I have to leave the room, which is rare, I pop him in his cot for a minute. Its no big deal. Rocking chair no - we got a glider - it doesnt fit in the room and although its nice and comfy its now rarely used and when it is I don't 'rock' anyway. Find it irritating.

Rocking chair definitely not a necessity pls they are expensive. Just make sure you have a good chair to sit on, ie not a sloppy couch cos it can hurt your back (or our crap couch did mine)
We just had a change try on top of the cot good as cheap and saves you bending down alot, but not really a necessity i suppose

Actually I am totally incensed. To my mind, it just goes to show that the business of having babies has become just that. A business.

Because mums-to-be are so proud and happy - let's just sell them totally unnecessary things at vastly inflated prices.

It's simply not ethical to take advantage of pregnant women like that!

Rant over.

Sorry

We have this one
The one in the main pic. It's a chest of drawers with a flip-down changing table which become useful shelves once your baby's out of nappies.

Totally agree,Quattrocento.

bad idea for me tolink onto ikea (have been trying to get dp to take me there for ages but he always says he doesn't know how to get there } now he doesn't have to tkae me

Quatrocentro people were selling footprints and handprints / photos of your newborn in the HOSPITAL after birth, a young girl said i want to buy it but my baby is in special care
it was disgusting
for it to start so young

hello! just read op.

complete waste of time in my opinion!! bought a beautiful changing table - turned out to be the perfect spot for throwing clean washing on. Used maybe twice - just found it easier to change dd on my knee/bed/couch.

Same with rocking chair... God, dont think Ive ever sat in it actually.. maybe once to put my shoes on.. its basically a very large, annoying, in the way ornament in dds room

Very, very, very best of luck with your new arrival!

Completely unnecessary imo. Changing mat on the bed at night time and on the floor during the day downstairs.

Neither are remotely essential but if you have space and someone offers you one, then you'll make use of it for a while.

Well I would take the money, which could be considerable, particularly if your fancy might be for a nice Georgian or Victorian nursing chair, and stick it in the bank for your little one.

But first, I would spend around £12 on a copy of Affluenza.

Quattrocentro - I meant if you were offered a cast off one.

Oh yes NKF agree - sorry -

Although the term "essential" doesn't seem to sit well alongside "changing unit".

I'm with Thalia and others on a changing table to save your back; have a very cheap Ikea one, though anything (chest of drawers, etc.) that's about hip height will do. Glider rockers are lovely (I was given one) but certainly not an essential.