FTM - over thinking changing table, advice please!

[Secontale]

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 😁

You'll change them on the sofa, the floor, your lap etc etc.

But. 10/10 for the diagram. And yes B is easier as they get older.

Ahh that's the drawers we were looking at, we have one in our bedroom and it is a great ergonomic height for changes for me and hubby. I also want a little lamp, and need space for the kit for reusable wipes (and eventually reusable nappies too). It's great to hear your experience!

definitely going to do that too, but it's so shallow you couldn't even get 2 mugs on it ...

I can't believe how many useful replies this thread has got! Thank you so much for your advice! Next week's antenatal class includes something about nappy changing (we have to bring a nappy and a teddy bear I assume to practice on) so I'll try doing it sideways and see how I get on! I assume my newborn will be as easy to change as a teddy, right...????
Off to bed now, thanks again all 😊xx

Maybe you could have a fold out shelf like those ikea ironing boards?

Sideways was fine for me.
Always changed her nappy in her room on the changing table.
I never felt the need to change nappies in the living room or hurting my back on the floor.
A lot people I know never had a changing table. I wouldn't be without one!

I also had a little caddy that I stored nappies etc hooked on the side of the changing table.

I never had one, just changed them in the living room on the floor as that was the room I was mostly in, couldn’t be arsed traipsing up and down the stairs to one designated space! Had a proper big padded mat for the first and then got rid of it as it was just a space waster, used the one that was in the changing bags for subsequent babies.
But I’m quite mobile, no bother getting up and down to change on the floor and it was then a nice opportunity to just stay on the floor with them without any risk of them rolling (one of mine could roll from the day after they were born 😱 little weirdo 😂), and I didn’t have a c section so didn’t have that to contend with either.

I have a bad back and I’ve always found it easier to change sideways. Plus stops them rolling off.

DS1 I changed every nappy on the changing table (well Malm drawers from ikea with wedge changing mat). DS2 has been changed almost solely on whatever surface I have to hand downstairs….

Never used the changing table with DTs.

Seriously? I can't be the only one wondering this right? 😳

If your using reusable it’s also far less likely you will just change anywhere in house. It’s easier to have change area as can then have space for putting dirty nappy out of baby reach also whilst you finish changing them, then put baby in cot or on floor safely whilst you sort nappy out after etc.

Ds room had toilet next door for hand washing, poop flushing and getting warm water to clean butt, so more convenient.

Mat on top of normal chest of drawers. I found the bed was better once they moved too

C Section here plus bad back issues so we did a cot top changer with sides on it and a foam wipeable mat on top in his nursery. All upstairs changes were done in there.

For downstairs we had a travel cot in the corner of the living room that had a bouncer and a cot top changer on top of it. This was perfect for daytime naps and to keep all the baby changing things in too.

I over thought this a lot too so I completely understand where you are coming from 😊

Please don't worry too much. I've never used the changing table atall. Changing mat on the floor/bed/sofa, depending on which room we are in when baby needs a change!

Do not worry about having a special changing table. Total waste of money. Put a mat on the top of a chest of drawers.

Definitely get a mat for downstairs and a small box with nappies, wipes, nappy sacks, cream and I used a lot of flannels to properly dry the cleaned bottom.

I also had a mat in the bathroom and I used to grab it for my bedroom and change on the bed. I kept extra changing supplies in my bedroom.

Cheap mats are fine. Don't get duped into buying special expensive ones.

Get a travel changing mat and when you go out take a couple of nappies, thin pack of wipes, mat, a couple of sacks plus a baby grow or something light and easy to change baby into in case of poo leaks. You don't need to carry tonnes in a changing bag. Try and go minimal Unless you are on a lengthy day trip.

For out and about minimal will do. Be prepared for a poo leak though. I used to take an entire outfit until I realised a simple babygrow and maybe vest is fine.

I was the queen of carrying tonnes of stuff with ds1. I learned by ds2 that you don't need special clunky changing bags, changing stations etc.

Just noticed your using reusable wipes. Definitely need a station for the stuff to go with that. Clean box, dirty box etc.
make sure you have the wet bags for when out and about as they are so handy!

Also I was lucky and no skin issues so baby had wipes from day one

What about something in the bathroom? Then water and laundry facilities are all there.

@Secontale I have a Ikea Hemnes chest of drawers (huge amount of storage!) with one of these on top

https://www.vertbaudet.co.uk/universal-changing-table-topper-nuage-white.htm?ProductId=705011333&FiltreCouleur=6349&FiltreTaille=TU&cmpid=SEA_GS_0001001001&gclid=CjwKCAjw3oqoBhAjEiwA_UaLtqMUVWGetw897MsbwKMIwaRSfJVyQ9udoTShk3D9f8LYTcI7-s5SAxoCg3cQAvD_BwE

Lots of space on top of the drawers for a caddy etc and you just add your own changing mat. We use it every single morning when DD wakes up and every night after her bath. She's 16 months currently

I always used a mat on the floor (or anywhere) for my eldest two in fact the changing table that was in my eldest child's bedroom was a complete waste. For my third my back wasn't great so I bought a cheap changing table with shelving and kept it downstairs in the corner of the living room and it was very handy.

Three kids and I don't think I ever changed them on anything other than on a changing mat the floor. You can move it around the house with you (although we mainly used it in the bathroom) and it's safer as there's no chance they might wriggle off the edge of the table. So much baby stuff you think you might need is unnecessary.

to be honest a changing mat on the sofa or carpeted floor or a rug is much safer. the baby cannot fall from it and they can and do wriggle a lot especially as they get older.

B is easier.

You'll be mostly changing downstairs anyway so won't worry about it!

i'm being abit dense maybe but what are you going to be recovering from? are you having a c section? i've had 3 children and was up and down on floor a few hours after having them changing nappies etc. We never had a changing table just a changing mat that could be just carried from room to room