You want to make diaper changing an easier and less painful task, but don’t know how?
Diaper changing tables can be a great blessing for you.
We give you a full guide on the various types of changing tables and how they will help you out.
After all, diapers need to be changed 8 to 10 times in a day.
It can be a real painful task.
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Table of Contents
What is a Diaper changing table?
A diaper changing table is nothing more than a small platform that is raised.
A person can stand comfortably while laying the baby safely on the table to change the diaper.
There are usually rails on the table to ensure that the baby does not fall.
The table also provides storage for extra diapering supplies.
You will usually find a diaper table in a nursery set.
Do you Need a Changing Table?
People generally overlook or ignore purchasing Changing tables, because they feel it will not be useful once the baby grows up.
Also because it is not a nice looking piece of furniture and does not go well with the room.
Some reasons that may make you go in for one
1. You or anyone else that changes the baby’s diaper will have a designated area where the diaper will be changed.
You do not have to worry about someone changing a diaper on your couch, tables, or even on your bed.
Let’s face it, we are talking about bodily waste here.
No one wants that stuff all over their furniture.
This will ensure that the babysitter or whoever is changing the baby is not going to be placing the baby on the floor to change their diaper.
Who knows what kind of germs are down there?
2. While you can’t get out of diaper duty, it is possible to make diaper duty a little easier on you.
The best way to make diaper duty easier is to have a changing table.
It is going to help ensure that you are not bending over uncomfortably and putting pressure on your back.
It is also going to ensure that you are going to have all the necessities and other supplies that you need within arm’s reach.
3. You are going to be using it many times throughout the day.
A baby will need their diaper changed 10 or more times each day.
4. If you have had a C-section, it is going to reduce the amount of pain that you deal with as your body heals.
Types Of Changing Tables
Changing tables have evolved over the years but one thing remains the same.
It is important to have a designated area for changing diapers.
There are many different types of changing tables available today.
Tables are made of metal, plastic, and wooden material.
Metal Changing Table – Click on Image
Plastic Baby Changing Station – Click on Image
Wooden Changing Station – Click on Image
Some are made for especially for corners, some that can be folded and stored in a corner or under the bed.
Multi-purpose ones like crib combo and playpen combo are available.
No products found.Crib combo – Click on Image
PlayPen combo – Click on Image
Some must be assembled, and some are movable, as well as changing table toppers.
Movable Changing Table – Click on Image
No products found.
Changing Table Toppers – Click on Image
There are changing tables that have open shelves where baskets are used, some have drawers and some have cabinets.
Changing Table with drawers – Click on Image
Changing Table with cabinets – Click on Image
There are some that are a combination.
Combination Changing Table – Click on Image
There’s no shortage when it comes to the different types of styles of changing tables available.
Important features to consider in a Changing table
1. Safety
A changing table needs to be safe for your baby.
It needs to have a safety strap.
When your baby is a newborn, he or she will not be able to move around on the table.
However, when they get older, these straps are going to ensure that your baby does not end up falling off the table.
You will also want to ensure that the changing table has a railing which is just another way to ensure that the baby does not fall.
While the railing is not going to stop an older baby from falling, (which is why straps are so important) it does help to protect smaller ones.
Check for any sharp edges, loose pieces or things that your baby may grab and pull down and get hurt.
When you are purchasing your changing pad, you want to make sure that the pad is the size that is recommended by the manufacturer.
This is also going to help ensure that the baby is safe when you are using the changing table.
2. Storage
There are a few different options when it comes to the type of storage that is available in changing tables.
There are tables that have open shelving which is going to make it easy to quickly reach the items that they need.
These items are usually stacked in plain sight.
If you do not want these items to be visible, you can also use baskets to hold the different supplies.
Some changing tables have drawers.
The drawers are great for storage and they keep all the changing items out of sight.
Of course, you can also get a drawer/shelf combination that will allow you to keep smaller items such as nail clippers and diaper rash cream in the drawer while still storing clothing and diapers on the shelves.
Many people opt for drawers because the drawers hide items from the baby as it grows and keeps them from exploring the changing table as a toddler.
We all know what a mess can be made with diaper changing supplies.
3. Height
The height of the table is going to be very important.
There are changing tables that are as short as 36 inches and go all the way up to 43 inches.
If you are a shorter person you do not want a tall changing table and if you are a tall person you do not want a short changing table.
4. Secure the Table to the wall or any other furniture
It is also important to make sure that you are going to be able to secure the table to the wall.
You can purchase furniture straps or anti-tip devices.
If the baby tries to climb on the changing table that it will not tip over on them.
What Do You Need In Your Diapering Table?
Having a changing table means that you can be well prepared when it comes to changing time.
But what do you need in the table?
1. Diapers & Wipes
This is a no-brainer.
We all know that you are going to need a lot of diapers and wipes when you have a baby.
It is important to keep the changing table nice and stocked so that you do not run out of stock when you really need them.
2. A Diaper Pail
Make sure that the pail is right next to the changing station so that you don’t have to toss the diaper across the room and miss.
There is no specific type of pail that you will need to purchase, simply get one that works best for you.
3. Lotion
Make sure that you have whatever lotion your pediatrician recommends for your baby.
Also keep any creams that you will need for their umbilical cord, or circumcision.
You don’t want to end up having to undress the baby again later in order to treat the skin.
4. Organizers
If you are using a changing table that has shelving you are going to need organizers.
You are of course going to put all your supplies into these organizers.
5. Clothes
Always make sure that you have at least a couple of changes of clothing for the baby at the changing table.
This is going to ensure that if things get a little messy you will be able to clean the baby up and get the baby’s clothes changed without having to go look for anything.
6. A couple of toys
As the baby gets older you are going to want to have a few of their favorite toys handy for them to focus on while you change their diaper.
This ensures that they are not reaching down and grabbing handfuls of whatever is in their diaper while you are changing them.
Try to have something nearby that is going to keep the baby distracted and those little hands busy.
7. Hand sanitizer
You want to make sure that you are sanitizing your hands after every diaper change.
You do not want to end up spreading germs to the baby or around the house.
This is especially important if the baby is sick.
While it is very important for you to wash your hands after every diaper change, the sanitizer is going to keep you covered until you can get to a sink to wash up.
Conclusion
As you can see there are various types of Diaper changing tables and before you buy one, it is important to understand your needs and get one accordingly.
You may find that you want to have a second changing station in your home.
This is especially helpful if your changing table is upstairs and you spend a lot of time downstairs with the baby.
Some people even find that their main changing area is not even in the nursery and that is perfectly fine as well.
As a new mom, it is important for you to do whatever works best for you.
