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Original poster

FTM - over thinking changing table, advice please!

100 replies

Secontale · 14/09/2023 20:45

Hi lovelies,
I am 31 weeks and the countdown is on ... trying to get the nursery sorted. Looking at changing tables and I like the idea of one on top of a chest of drawers so that you have the extra storage. But I'd be changing baby at a sideways angle, won't that be harder?? Isn't it easier if they are facing you? See my beautiful illustration here where the baby is in pink and the person doing the changing is either green for option A or orange in option B. Wouldn't option B be easier for changing or AM I OVERTHINKING?? Seems the chest of drawers options you can buy are generally set up as per option A. With the layout of our room, it would be difficult to set it up so I can stand at the side of the chest of drawers without losing valuable storage space. I am currently thinking a changing unit which gives me option B, and then a small chest of drawers next to it which I can store the changing things on top of, and the clothes inside. I am thinking in option A I'd be twisting awkwardly to do a change compared to option B which looks more ergonomic.
Any thoughts for an over-thinking FTM?
Thanks 😁

FTM - over thinking changing table, advice please!
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Hercisback · 14/09/2023 21:01

Mat on the dining table sorts out downstairs bending.

Original poster
Secontale · 14/09/2023 21:02

User9088 · 14/09/2023 20:53

I always change from the side, even if I'm changing on the floor. You'll soon get the hang of whatever your set up is. If you prefer the drawers then I would get them. If you do get a table though they usually have good storage space for baskets/boxes so you might not need drawers as well depending on what else is in the room (wardrobe?)

Also, love your use of a diagram!

The diagram not my best work haha but got the point across 😂I definitely need drawer space - we live in an old house, the room is small and has strange angles, no room for a freestanding wardrobe. It has a built in floor to ceiling cupboard but it's too shallow for hanging things really.
Thanks for the reassurance that we'll get used to it!

OP posts:
buckingmad · 14/09/2023 21:03

Didn’t buy a changing table. Always changed on a mat either on the bed during the night or on the lounge floor during the day.

im too lazy to be going up and down the stairs more often than I have to 😂

Original poster
Secontale · 14/09/2023 21:03

ShirleyPhallus · 14/09/2023 20:53

Sideways is way easier, that way you can hold their feet above their head with one hand and wipe with the other

but I agree with the others, get a wedge mat and a chest of drawers and you’re fine

thank you!

OP posts:
Mintearo7 · 14/09/2023 21:03

Same as above, mostly just used changing mat on a double bed. Have their feet towards me. If they roll about they have somewhere soft to go before they reach danger zone. Much easier, versatile and safer imo.

Whyohwhyohwhy123 · 14/09/2023 21:04

I mainly changed on mat on the bathroom floor even after a cs. It was easier. I did go upstairs for anything other than a wee nappy.

bettynutkins · 14/09/2023 21:05

I also hardly ever used ours. I had a changing mat down the side of the sofa that I could grab when downstairs and a caddy with everything we needed for changes and did it downstairs. If upstairs I just did it on our bed, again couldn't be bothered moving room. I had a caddy in my room anyway for night times so had everything I needed.

FFSWhatToDoNow · 14/09/2023 21:05

Never had a changing table. Changed DD on the bed, sofa, floor…..

Singleandproud · 14/09/2023 21:05

foam changing mat £14, waterproof and soft for baby to lay on.

Original poster
Secontale · 14/09/2023 21:05

Morty12 · 14/09/2023 20:55

I never changed any of mine sideways, I suppose you could but it never occurred to me. Aren't changing tables just for newborns? I Would be worried about them rolling off. I just used a changing mat on the floor, with the changing stuff in a basket.

I think once they start resisting the nappy change it's time to move off the changing table! And if a specific changing table has a limited life, then I probably am best placed to get a chest of drawers as it'll last years x

OP posts:
Ohthatsabitshit · 14/09/2023 21:08

If you have a utility room, the counter in there is the best imo for nappy changing.
Sideways is easiest with a shelf above for supplies. Where are you going to keep the dirty nappiest bucket?

Original poster
Secontale · 14/09/2023 21:11

Ohthatsabitshit · 14/09/2023 21:08

If you have a utility room, the counter in there is the best imo for nappy changing.
Sideways is easiest with a shelf above for supplies. Where are you going to keep the dirty nappiest bucket?

Ahh I wish we had a utility room, but sadly not. Thinking sideways with a shelf above makes sense - also that gives me somewhere to hang the distracting mobile we got given (woollen sheep - so cute!). Think I should still have space for a dirty nappy bucket on the floor next to the chest of drawers ... gets out measuring tape

OP posts:
ChiccoBanana · 14/09/2023 21:11

Cot top changers are very solid. Has a clip for one side and peg type things to stop it sliding around. Also it’s over a mattress so rolling off less of a problem than a chest of drawers (DS never fell off though).

or the ikea sundvik changing table drawers with the fold out top x

Original poster
Secontale · 14/09/2023 21:13

bettynutkins · 14/09/2023 21:05

I also hardly ever used ours. I had a changing mat down the side of the sofa that I could grab when downstairs and a caddy with everything we needed for changes and did it downstairs. If upstairs I just did it on our bed, again couldn't be bothered moving room. I had a caddy in my room anyway for night times so had everything I needed.

caddy is a great idea - one for upstairs and one for downstairs... 🤔

OP posts:
eddiemairswife · 14/09/2023 21:13

I always changed on my lap.

AnIndianWoman · 14/09/2023 21:16

Secontale · 14/09/2023 20:45

Hi lovelies,
I am 31 weeks and the countdown is on ... trying to get the nursery sorted. Looking at changing tables and I like the idea of one on top of a chest of drawers so that you have the extra storage. But I'd be changing baby at a sideways angle, won't that be harder?? Isn't it easier if they are facing you? See my beautiful illustration here where the baby is in pink and the person doing the changing is either green for option A or orange in option B. Wouldn't option B be easier for changing or AM I OVERTHINKING?? Seems the chest of drawers options you can buy are generally set up as per option A. With the layout of our room, it would be difficult to set it up so I can stand at the side of the chest of drawers without losing valuable storage space. I am currently thinking a changing unit which gives me option B, and then a small chest of drawers next to it which I can store the changing things on top of, and the clothes inside. I am thinking in option A I'd be twisting awkwardly to do a change compared to option B which looks more ergonomic.
Any thoughts for an over-thinking FTM?
Thanks 😁

Option A is not only easier but you will get more use out of the table as baby won’t try to pull stunts to get closer to you. DS is almost 4 and we’re still able to use his table to clean him after his (toilet) poos and get him ready in the morning.

welshweasel · 14/09/2023 21:16

Never used a changing table at home for my 2 kids. Changing mat on sofa/floor downstairs and on bed upstairs. I didn't leave my bed once I was in it! We had nappies and wipes upstairs and downstairs.

I've always found changing tables in public toilets really awkward. Each to their own though.

AnIndianWoman · 14/09/2023 21:17

I have a rock solid wooden Mamas and Papas one. Got it third hand from ebay for £10

Hercisback · 14/09/2023 21:17

Only get a bucket of you're doing reusables, and even then I wouldn't want to store in baby's room. Bathroom is best to flush and deal with poo.

Otherwise bag and take straight to an external bin.

WutheringMights · 14/09/2023 21:18

@Secontale cot top changers are very secure - no chance of it becoming dislodged and baby never did roll off. Even if she did, I'd rather she fell into the cot onto the mattress rather than onto the floor.

I continued to use mine until baby was 7 months. Yes, she could roll over but I never left her alone so I was always there to roll her back.

Ohthatsabitshit · 14/09/2023 21:20

Bucket on the floor doesn’t work once they’re crawling. They also smell (a lot).

Ohthatsabitshit · 14/09/2023 21:21

What about putting a shelf in the wardrobe?

Original poster
Secontale · 14/09/2023 21:22

ChiccoBanana · 14/09/2023 21:11

Cot top changers are very solid. Has a clip for one side and peg type things to stop it sliding around. Also it’s over a mattress so rolling off less of a problem than a chest of drawers (DS never fell off though).

or the ikea sundvik changing table drawers with the fold out top x

I do like the look of the Ikea one, especially that it can turn into something else useful afterwards!

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 14/09/2023 21:23

We have the 8 drawer long hemnes drawer unit from ikea. Changing mat ontop. So we changed sideways yes.
We changed every single nappy at home on the high up unit.
Far far better. As ours was long we had space for small lamp for night changes when tiny, space for wet flannels in bowl for bum (reusable wipes), and space to put clean clothes ready to one side.

Ds was toilet trained just after turning 2 and fitted there fine. If we ever had to change on floor or bed at say a hotel or friends house he was a nightmare once moving as woudl try and crawl or run away as it’s like he knew he could. On the mat up high he never attempted

Original poster
Secontale · 14/09/2023 21:23

WutheringMights · 14/09/2023 21:18

@Secontale cot top changers are very secure - no chance of it becoming dislodged and baby never did roll off. Even if she did, I'd rather she fell into the cot onto the mattress rather than onto the floor.

I continued to use mine until baby was 7 months. Yes, she could roll over but I never left her alone so I was always there to roll her back.

That's good to know - might look into that more closely, could solve the issue since the room will definitely have a cot!

OP posts: