Choosing a changing table for newborns

A smoother and more pleasurable daily routine can be achieved by selecting the ideal changing table for your infant. Knowing where to begin can be overwhelming due to the abundance of options available. You can use this guide to sort through the important characteristics and factors and select the ideal changing table for your baby’s requirements.

Knowing what makes a good changing table will help you choose one that fits your space and lifestyle, from safety features to convenience. We’ll look at various designs, materials, and styles so you can make an informed decision that will benefit you and your child in terms of comfort and functionality.

Diaper changes can be made more convenient and everything you need is always close at hand with a changing table that takes into account features like size, storage, and user-friendliness. Let’s explore the features you should consider when selecting the best changing table for your child.

Feature	Description
Size	Choose a table that fits your space and provides enough room for diaper changes. A standard size is around 36 inches wide.
Height	Ensure the height is comfortable for you to avoid back strain. Most changing tables are between 30-36 inches high.
Safety	Look for tables with safety straps and high sides to prevent the baby from rolling off.
Storage	Consider models with shelves or drawers to keep diapers, wipes, and other essentials within reach.
Material	Opt for a table made from sturdy materials that are easy to clean, like wood or laminate.
Portability	If you need a changing table that can be moved easily, look for a foldable or lightweight option.
Style	Choose a style that matches your nursery decor, whether it’s modern, classic, or whimsical.

What is it and why is it needed?

A changing table, sometimes just referred to as a "changing table" in everyday speech, is a specially designed space used to care for a baby. As the name suggests, the infant is typically changed and wrapped on such a table.

You can also use it for preventive massage, air baths, morning hygiene practices, and skin treatment after taking a bath.

Some people question the need for it because, even with the smallest model, a changing table takes up space in the room. Simultaneously, you don’t have to spend money on additional furniture because you can change the baby’s clothes and diapers practically anywhere, like on the parent’s bed or the sofa.

Nonetheless, the majority of parents who choose to purchase only have good things to say about this kind of furniture. They claim that a changing table lightens the physical burden of new parents because it eliminates the need for the infant to be swaddled on a bed or other regular low table, which puts stress on the arms and back.

When an adult changes a baby who is partially bent over, they also block the light. The notion that a changing table is superfluous completely shifts when we consider how frequently diaper changes, outfit changes, massages, and other procedures are done on a baby throughout the day.

Pros and cons, what can be replaced?

Convenience is without a doubt a changing table’s greatest advantage. With the least amount of time and effort, the mother quickly changes the baby after setting it down with the essentials. With its constrictive sides, the baby will be secure on this type of table. Parents will find a product much more valuable if it is movable and portable (e.g., a table they can take on vacation or use as a bathroom).

Since most models have shelves built in, parents will always have easy access to all the essential items for their children. There’s no reason to leave a little unsupervised to get a fresh diaper or some cream. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about sporadic "wet accidents" because of a waterproof coating, even though the sofa’s upholstery may sustain serious damage in such an event. Precise dependability and usefulness are what make the singers so well-liked by recentlyweds.

• Some tables are very overall and occupy a lot of space in the children"s room or parent bedroom, reducing free space;
• When using a changing table, you should constantly be on the alert – do not leave the baby alone, fix the wheels, watch for sharp parts;
• highly functional models have a fairly high price.

A changing board can be the most straightforward substitute for a changing table. It is made up of a rigid foundation that a waterproof mattress is placed upon. This kind of board is reasonably priced and can be used on a bed, a regular chest of drawers, or another surface.

Its shape is like that of a tray, with the edges raised to form sides and a flat middle section.

Low functionality, instability, and the inability to store the child’s belongings are some of its drawbacks. A changing mat is an even more straightforward variety. It doesn’t have a hard base like a board does; instead, it has waterproof upholstery on top and a soft, hypoallergenic material inside that holds its shape well. Such a mattress is typically laid out on a bed or table to change a child.

Up to what age is it needed?

The number of months that a parent should use a changing table should be decided by them. The item is frequently most in demand between the ages of one and six months, but you should pay attention to the baby’s mobility first. By the time the baby is three or four months old, he or she may be too active to use a changing table. Nonetheless, the changing table’s service life can be greatly extended if safety measures are followed.

Minimum requirements

A changing table needs a few fundamental characteristics.

• Safety. Sharp elements are not allowed in its design, so all outlines and edges must be smoothed. In addition, all joints must be strong. The environmental friendliness of the material is also of great importance, so wooden tables with a minimum of metal elements are most in demand.
• Stability. The dimensions of the changing table being purchased are important for this parameter. Large models will be more stable, and therefore safer. In addition, it will be more convenient for mom to look after the baby on a changing table with a large surface.
• Durability. Thanks to high-quality materials, the changing table will wear out less. The durability of use is also ensured by the design of the product, due to which it will become multi-tasking, and not just a place for changing clothes. For example, if you choose a transformable table, you can also store baby clothes in it.

Types

There are many different types of changing tables, with variations in size and other features. Several of them are well-liked choices.

• Removable tables that can be used in the bathroom. This is a convenient compact option for dressing a baby after bathing. Such a changing table is fixed on the side walls of an adult bathtub or installed on a washing machine. In the room, it can be placed on the sides of a baby crib.

• Collapsible models, reminiscent of an ironing board in design. Such portable tables are mobile, because they are easy to take with you to the country or put in another room. Usually these folding devices are made of metal and plastic, equipped with a shelf, and some manufacturers add a bathtub.

• Folding tables that are attached to the wall. They are in demand in situations where there is no space for bulky furniture in the room. After use, such hanging tables rise, taking up a minimum of space on the wall. Often this is a board with a soft mattress, and on the hanging part of the product there are several small shelves for the most necessary things.

• Stationary models in the form of a shelving unit. They are wooden and plastic. In the upper part of such a table there is a mattress for changing clothes, and under it there are several shelves where they keep skin care products and children"s clothes. When the baby grows up, and the changing table becomes unnecessary, the shelving unit can be left for storing things and toys.

Materials

Wood is the safest material to use for changing tables. It absorbs sound well and has a lovely texture. Wood varieties such as birch, oak, pine, and beech are used to make wooden tables. The product’s durability and service life are impacted by the base.

Tables made of conifers last the least. Due to their relative softness, pine models are prone to dents and scratches. Birch, oak, and beech exhibit greater resistance to mechanical influences.

These materials also prolong the life of tables by reducing wear and tear.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that wood has a distinct smell that some babies may find upsetting. The purchased wooden table should be allowed to air for a maximum of two weeks in order to remove any negative effects. To further strengthen the product’s resistance to moisture, it can also be treated with a unique protective compound.

Chipboard is an inexpensive material that can take the place of wood. The certification issued by the company that released the changing table should be used to verify its quality. Some manufacturers lower the overall cost of the structure by combining wood and chipboard, but they also improve safety and wear resistance.

Tables made of metal are very sturdy. They have a long lifespan and are moisture-resistant, but they could have sharp edges that could cut the baby. Items with a metal frame are strong and very functional; they are frequently paired with a bathtub and multiple shelves.

Tables made of plastic are resistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations. Babies also like them because they are pretty and have a vibrant design. But compared to wood and metal products, plastic models are noticeably less reliable and of lower quality.

Plastic tables are the least preferred because they are less stable and have the potential to release hazardous substances into the atmosphere.

Additional functionality

Changing tables typically have shelves that are both open and closed, drawers, baskets, and hangers. These features improve the product’s usefulness by enabling you to store diapers, clean and dirty laundry, baby cosmetics, and other necessities for the baby’s everyday care.

Bathtubs, ironing boards, and bedside tables are all included in the design of individual changing tables. Additionally, there are models that come with heating and a radiant heat source. These changing tables are used in clinics, hospitals, and maternity units for the purpose of examining the child, changing him, and carrying out different medical or therapeutic operations.

Sizes

Different-sized changing tables are available in stores. Their height of 95–105 cm is intended to accommodate women of average height; however, certain models allow the mother to customize the table by adding or subtracting 5–10 cm. Change boards come in two standard sizes. The large one, measuring 77×96 cm, is used with wide chests of drawers, while the small one, measuring 66×69 cm, is intended for a narrow chest of drawers.

The height of the infant must be taken into account when selecting a changing table. A baby up to six months old can have a body length of up to 70 cm if the product is made for them. The only option available to those who do not intend to change a baby older than six months on a changing table is a small board.

Select models with a long tabletop, up to 90–100 cm, if extended use is needed.

Overview of manufacturers and models

Among the domestic manufacturers of changing tables are "Fairy," "Atoon," "Mozhga," and "Antel." Their product line includes wooden and chipboard items with spacious drawers. Among their drawbacks are their scrolling handles, sharp sides, and brittle drawer bottoms. They also make cheap folding tables in vibrant colors with metal legs.

Expat manufacturers from all over the world produce excellent changing tables. Products from the brands CAM, Beaba, Geuther, Chicco, Cosatto, Feretti, and Stokke are available in stores. Among the price-range options, the IKEA "Sniglar" model is one that is in high demand. It is made of sturdy beech, has an extra shelf, is incredibly easy to assemble, and can support up to 11 kg.

Furniture with a changing table

Transformable tables, along with children’s chests of drawers and cribs with integrated changing tables, are offered by numerous manufacturers of children’s furniture. The extended use period of these models is one of their key benefits. The top cover of a table or chest of drawers is removed once the baby reaches the 6- to 12-month milestone and no longer requires a changing table, at which point the furniture can be used once more.

Other benefits of combined furniture include the ability to change the height on many models by twisting the legs. These models are made as functional as possible by including shelves, organizers, and drawers in addition to other components (a laundry basket, playpen, and ironing board) in the design. Additionally, having wheels on Gabarit furniture with a swaddler is very convenient. They make it possible to relocate the object with the least amount of work.

Usually, these type of tables and chests of drawers have sides on top to keep the baby from falling. Occasionally, the manufacturer includes an option to enlarge the lid. Even if you place the infant on the very edge of the changing board, these devices do not tilt forward because of the shifted center of gravity.

K drawbacks of cribs with changing tables and chests of drawersI blame the high cost, but considering all the benefits, the majority of parents who select this specific style of kids’ furniture say it’s worth it. Larger sizes are also taken into account, so only those with a roomy children’s room can afford such furniture.

Tips for choosing

Prior to making any purchases, you must choose the location for the changing table. The spot next to the crib is thought to be the most practical, but the table shouldn’t be in the direct sun.

Large multifunctional models take up more room, so if your nursery is small, you should consider the folding and corner options.

After deciding on the location and style of a suitable changing table, consider the materials that go into making the model you like. Additionally, indicate the furniture’s measurements, including the table’s height (plus adjustable height), width, length, volume, and maximum allowable load in kilograms. The availability of extra accessories should then be your main concern.

Take note of the changing table’s color and design as well. Most parents purchase a model that complements the nursery’s design. The traditional division of colors into pink and blue for girls and boys, respectively, is no longer in use. The color scheme of dressers with separate changing tables and chests of drawers has a lot more hues.

White is highly sought-after since it is a color that works well in any type of interior. Popular colors for tables include honey, wenge, chocolate, ivory, and walnut, along with models in light gray, beige, and dark brown.

Products with two colors, like beige and brown or pink and beige, are preferred by many parents. Adornments, hearts, teddy bears, cars, and other drawings can all be used as changing table decorations.

What to lay?

There is no need to use oilcloth on top of the changing table because its soft part’s upholstery is waterproof. Typically, the baby’s bedding is a soft flannel diaper to ensure their comfort. It absorbs moisture well and feels good to the touch.

When selecting a changing table for your infant, it’s critical to prioritize convenience, usefulness, and safety. Seek for a table with a strong build, guardrails for added safety, and lots of space for storing wipes and diapers. Its design should fit well in your space and complement your interior decor, and it should be at a comfortable height to reduce back strain. Setting these things in order of importance guarantees a safe and useful changing space for you and your child.

How to use?

A changing table is very easy to use. Once the product’s stability and legs are confirmed, clean the surface and get ready the baby’s change of clothes, any necessary cosmetics, and any care items. Place the infant on the table, then carry out the designated tasks while keeping a close eye on the child.

Selecting the ideal changing table for your infant is a crucial choice that affects both safety and convenience. You can find a table that fits your space and meets your needs by taking into account elements like size, storage, and design. A well-selected changing table keeps necessities accessible and organized, making diaper changes easier.

Consider the features that will simplify your life, like safety rails integrated into the design or height-adjustable features. During changes, these can improve comfort and guarantee your baby’s safety. Recall that the changing table’s style should go well with the décor of your nursery in addition to its usefulness.

Parenting will ultimately become a little easier if you take the time to consider your options and choose a changing table that meets both your practical needs and personal preferences. If you make an attractive and functional investment in a changing table, you’ll be ready for the early days of caring for your newborn.

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