thread: Change Tables! Too many options!

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    WA
    288

    Question Change Tables! Too many options!

    OK... first time mum here...
    What type of change table did or do you have and pros / cons!

    Yesterday we looked at 3 different types.

    1) The standard wooden change table - with just 2 shelves underneath

    2) A chest of draws with Change table ontop (you have to stand to side of CT)

    3) The change table/bath setup. Where it is plastic and change table lifts off to be able to use bath.

    We really liked the chest of draws one, it would match our cot. My only concern is the fact that I would have to stand on the corner/side of the CT.

    Cheers in advance

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Oct 2005
    Cherry Tree Lane
    1,108

    i wouldnt worry about where you stand- you'll be use to it whereever in no time - we just got funky drawers from ikea and put a change mat on top of that.


    we found we just dragged the change mat to wherever we wree and changed bub on it rather tht the table so the lounge family room etc. was heaps easier for us

  3. #3
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Feb 2006
    melbourne
    11,462

    i wish id gotten one with 2 shelves and some drawers directly under the top to put nappies, creams etc..

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Rural NSW
    6,975

    We used a dedicated change table with our younger two. It's been a great piece of furniture. We still use it to dress our 2yo at a good height (which also limits him jumping and wanting to run off when we are trying to dress him). It is a wooden table with wooden rails to stop baby rolling off... had 2 drawers underneath the change surface and a large space to store nappies (I store my fabric nappies in a basket there). HERE'S what it looks like from above. I find that it's the perfect height and having everything close at hand is great. I couldn't deal with changing our babies on the floor/bed etc... they move around too much.... a table tends to "contain" them.

  5. #5
    BellyBelly Member

    Jul 2006
    1,069

    We have a boori one with 2 draws plus a shelf thing, then the change table on top. We love it. Very practical and looks nice. Except boori are always a bit expensive, but lovely!
    I agree with LSK, you'll get used to and probably just stand anywhere!

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Follow Pandora On Twitter

    Jan 2005
    cowtown
    8,276

    When you say you'd have to stand at the side, do you mean the long side?
    i had a chest of drawers with a build in change table on top, but i stood at the same end I would as a regular change table - the short end.
    I just had it at the end of the cot (so short end at the wall, long side against the cot end) it was very easy to use.

    ETA: mine is a boori one too, with 2 drawers and a shelf.
    Last edited by Pandora; January 6th, 2009 at 11:04 AM.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Rural NSW
    6,975

    Yep, it's best to stand at the short end... standing at the long side would be uncomfy and probably bad for your back.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Feb 2007
    ACT
    681

    With my first two just had a plastic foldup change table....with this dd i splurged and got one from little bear on the internet....wish had with first two. I takes up the whole bath but i can fit my 5 year old in it. it is good because it is in the bathroom, the bath drains straight into the big bath. at standing hight for me. i even use it to fold my clean washing on now. expensive but i think worth it.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    WA
    288

    When you say you'd have to stand at the side, do you mean the long side?
    i had a chest of drawers with a build in change table on top, but i stood at the same end I would as a regular change table - the short end.
    I just had it at the end of the cot (so short end at the wall, long side against the cot end) it was very easy to use.

    ETA: mine is a boori one too, with 2 drawers and a shelf.
    Hi RayRay - yes, stand at the end as in the short end at the wall

    Thanks everyone for the feedback!

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Dec 2005
    6,706

    I have the chest of drawers with change tray on top (KingParrot, if anyone is wondering) and find it fantastic.

    We have the room arranged so that the drawers are just beside the door, so there's plenty of space to stand to change a baby.

    We have the top drawer arranged with nappies, wipes, etc so they are always close at hand (at baby height, essentially, rather than having to reach underneath the table). The other thing - it was suggested to me that closed drawers would be better as once bub is mobile, they'll tend to get into everything in the open change tables and can make huge messes with all of that stuff. With out set up, it will be quite a while before Sam can reach into that drawer to make a mess with wipes, lotions, powders, etc, if he at all can before he's out of nappies.

    BW

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Rural NSW
    6,975

    True about closed drawers BW (that's what ours has too)... and you'll probably find that once bubs knows how to get in that draw you'll be wanting a high shelf nearby. I bought a small decorative shelf from Bunnings and installed it using 2 picture hooks above the change table at that point. I just needed somewhere to pop the nappy rash cream and pins... plus a few special ornaments.

  12. #12
    Registered User
    Follow Pandora On Twitter

    Jan 2005
    cowtown
    8,276

    high shelves are good. we didnt get one in tim and hence got a nursery and baby redecorated in sudocream. I didnt know you could get that much in the normal sized tub.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    WA
    288

    Thanks all!

    butterfly_warrior - good point, I can put mine right near the door too for more room. I think I have made up my mind! Chest of draws it is

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Rural NSW
    6,975

    Ahhhhh! Yes, our first child had Sudocrem Play! it was quite spectacular. I learnt my lesson very well. Hint: avoid tall shelving units in nursery rooms because toddlers and babys often will try to pull themselves up on them or try to climb them creating a big safety hazard. Ideally buy a shelf that can be put up high without any nearby access. I hung a small wall clock above my shelf too, it looked really sweet.

    ETA: How high is the chest of drawers? My change table with 2 drawers is as high as the top of my pelvis, the change surface is equal to my crotch (LOL couldn't think of a better way of saying it) ...any higher would be uncomfortable I would think.

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Feb 2006
    Newcastle, NSW
    4,219

    I have an Infa one where the bath slides out from under the change table.
    It is brilliant. I will be using it again for Bumpty.

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    WA
    288

    ETA: How high is the chest of drawers? My change table with 2 drawers is as high as the top of my pelvis, the change surface is equal to my crotch (LOL couldn't think of a better way of saying it) ...any higher would be uncomfortable I would think.
    Hi Bathsheba. Im pretty sure it would be about my hip height. Will have to go back and have a good look and feel. Thanks for that note

  17. #17
    Registered User

    Dec 2005
    6,706

    Ours is a 4 drawer chest - perfect height for me to change Samuel with no (or very little) bending over. DH is quite tall and has a slightly wonky back, so the less bending for him, the better. He's fine with the height of the chest, too. KingParrot do a 3 drawer chest, which would be lower - didn't like the feel of bending over to do a nappy change on that one at all!

    BW