is this a suitable changing table thing?

[tyaca]

we live in a small ish 2-bed flat. actually, it's not so small, but got the feeling it will be once LO is here in Feb.

Clearing out spare room, sorry the baby's room, and loathe to throw away a coffee table i have in there. wondered if it might be suitable as the changing thing

here's a link to an identical one

cgi.ebay.co.uk/G-Plan-Coffee-Table_W0QQitemZ330170820086QQihZ014QQcategoryZ38205QQssPa geNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Am i MAD???? or would it be fine? the glass bit is really sturdy and secure.

cheers

[Twiglett]

look you don't need a changing table

stick a changing mat on the floor (or if you can't bend in early days pop it on the couch)

changing tables .. schmanging tables

[CarGirl]

I would get a cot top changer, they take up very little more room than a standard changing mat and on top of the cot they are the rigt height.Just stick your cotton wool, water, cream, nappies etc on a chest drawers next to the cot.

[Haylstones]

TBH I never used a changing table, the changing mat would get chucked on the floor and dd was changed there so if that's the only reason you want to keep it I wouldn't bother, especially if you haven't got much spare room. I'd also be a bit wary of the glass as once baby starts toddling he/she'll start climbign and will inevitably end up standing on the table . i'm due again in Feb and planning on doing nappy changes wherever I discover it needs done wither on changing mat or old towel

[NineUnlikelyTales]

It looks like a really uncomfortable height. And babies are really much safer on the floor, where they can't fall off!

We have managed with Ds for 12m with no changing table, just mats on the floor. As soon as they can roll or wriggle they become a hazard IMO and unless you have a bad back there is no real benefit that I can see.

[cece]

Use a mat on the floor or do it on your lap.

[CarGirl]

I had spd, a bad back and bad knees so can't kneel on the floor - hence cot top changer with raised sides!!!!! Agree floor is the safest place for them!

[mollymawk]

I would recommend not having a changing table at all. Have the mat on the floor then it doesn't matter if you need to go away to get something mid-change.

[NappiesGalore]

i literally never used the changing tables we had. not even once.

[tyaca]

ty all

the floor it is

who needs furniture, huh?

actually, a relief to think that if i can't use something i already own, then at least i won't have to buy something new

[hatwoman]

it's way to big. but probably quite a good height (you'd kneel at it I guess). I agree with the others though - you don;t really need one - use the floor or if you have a chest of drawers the right height just use that. I had one of those cot-top ones - because I thought it was save space but I never used it

[lizziemun]

i use a changing mat on the table, as i can not bend as i have a weak lower back.

[Pheebe]

I'm going to vote for a changing table! I had a terrible back after DS1 and there was no way I could ever change him on the floor. Chose one from mothercare with raised sides and open top and bottom (they do a lovely stripy one at the mo) hence still using it with DS1 and he's now 3(mainly to get him dressed as my back is still bad)! Its brilliant for storing all the nappy change and bathtime gear so the bathroom isn't totally cluttered and we could wheel it into the bedroom when DS was poorly to avoid disturbing the neighbours in the middle of the night.
I never liked the idea of changing him anywhere in the house as it meant having stuff ready all over the place (not good in a small place). For me the bathroom is for toilet stuff so a changing table was the best of all worlds as far as I'm concerned.
phee

[claraq]

All those who changed on the floor obviously did not have a c-section . We have a lovely one from IKEA which has drawers underneath and can be folded away and become shelves after the baby is out of nappies. But it is sturdy enough that we can still change our two-year-old on it...

[WinnieThePooh]

claraq, We also have a unit friom IKEA. Ours is the TASSA cupboard though (now discnitnued unfortunately) We bought it 5 years ago when I had DD1. DD2 is due any day and we are using it again. We will take off the changing table top when I no longer need it and still use the cupboard.

I prefered using the changing table as it used to go for my back changing on the floor.

[RGPargy]

Never had a changing table. always used a changing mat on the floor!

[trixymalixy]

I changed DS on the floor for a bit, but then moved onto using the changing table as my back and knees were killing me. It was such a relief to not have to kneel down anymore!

[Tigger13]

I have two large boys and even now that ds2 is almost 2 i still use the changing unit (mine is a set of drawers with edges on the top, it has been one of the best things I have bought, it keeps any smells upstairs stops him wriggling to get any toys which he would on a mat and we have great singing and chatting times when he's on it.

Can be a pain when you need something out of reach but learnt quite quickly to plan what I was doing!

Also good for grandparents ............

[preggersagain]

i have a changing unit and its a godsend as dt's always used to escape when i was on the floor changing them (and i wasn't quick enough to scramble up and catch them!) at least on the unit they don't even try! cot top changers are really good though, will be using one this time around as my box room doesn't have enough room for the changer!

[notanotherone]

cot top changers are brilliant... was always a floor/bed person, but cot top is a god send

[Holymoly321]

Have to say yay for units - had section for DS and was unable to bend over, but still use it now and he's two - he knows he can't wriggle off!

[scooterdooter]

I think the debate is always going to be black and white re floor or table! but with a C-section the floor was just not an option, impossible to get down to or up from with a baby. we have our washer & dryer in the bathroom with a worktop unit on it, so moved the washing powder over and hey presto, changing area! put in cheap bathroom cupboard above for nappies etc, still using at 9m only one incident when he tried to roll off but he doesn't now, knows he has to stay up there. big plus is that it is in the bathroom so close to water. other thing is to have a couple of toys on the mat to entertain and perhaps a mobile or we have piccies on the bottom of the cupboard for him to look at.

[Gemy]

I'm pro-changing table. We bought one of those long chest of drawers (that have 2 rows of 4 drawers) that was long enough for changing mat, creme, two kinds of nappies, wipes and some toys. And with all those handy drawers, all her other stuff that I needed to hand was in plentiful supply. I never got on with doing it on the floor, ended up with my hair falling on my face all the time, and I just preferred having DD at a comfortable height.

Of course, it's all personal preference. Why not try spending about 5 mins kneeling on the floor doing something and see if you find it comfortable, or not?

[ScaryScaryNight]

You have GOT to be kidding, right? You want to keep a glass top coffee table in your baby's room?

I wouldn't keep it there, but I am always overcautious. Accidentally you drop something on the table, it breaks the glass, glass flying, you better hope the baby is not with you then!

As for changing table, I like the drawer style ones with a detachable changing top on the top. When baby is no longer in nappies you can detache the changing top and still have your chest of drawers.

Chest with changing top


Ikea also have a wall mounted changing table, that flips up when not in use where you still can store your changing accessories such as wipes and creams and nappies on the inside.
Ikea Wall Mounted Changing Table

I had a Mamas & Papas Unit with bath:

Mamas&Papas

When baby started sitting up and there was a risk of him falling off (at six months) I had a simple changing mat on the floor wich I stored under his cot.

But, get rid of that coffee table.....

It doesnt matter HOW sturdy the glass is, faced with a kicking little baby you can soon have a disaster on your hands. I shiver when thinking og glass penetrating soft new baby skin, and worse baby's little organs.