When a new baby joins the family, it’s important to think about the day-to-day care requirements. The changing table is one piece that frequently becomes the center of attention in nurseries. Although this piece of furniture may appear luxurious, it is an essential part of the everyday routine of taking care of a baby.
A changing table offers a designated, secure area for changing clothes and diapers. Raised sides and shelves or drawers for easy access to wipes, diapers, and other essentials are common features in its design, which also serves to prevent unintentional falls. This arrangement guarantees that all necessary items are accessible and increases task efficiency.
A changing table can also aid in keeping the nursery organized. Having a dedicated space for changing diapers allows parents to maintain other nursery surfaces tidy and uncluttered. Having this organization can help you manage the hectic days of taking care of a newborn.
Ultimately, the goal of purchasing a changing table is to simplify and ease daily tasks. It offers a workable answer to a widespread requirement, improving convenience and safety in the formative years of parenthood.
The need for a table
Let’s first determine if you really need a changing table or if you can live without one. Again, no, you cannot.
A changing table is a very necessary item, even though it isn’t used for its intended purpose for very long.
It is not necessary to stand hunched over the bed; it is bad for your back. It has enough weight from the pregnancy.
Crucial! At the very least, give it some rest and tend to it, because your back muscles will be under a lot of strain as the baby grows.
What to do with a baby on a changing table?
Let’s now discuss the necessity of a changing table. The name makes it obvious that this item’s primary function is to swaddle a child.
These days, a lot of people agree that swaddling should be phased out. Since it limits the baby’s movements, this procedure is unnecessary for anyone.
However, the truth is that the infant was comfortable and serene in the mother’s small womb before birth. After birth, he is placed in an entirely new environment with no memory of his former residence.
Crucial! The purpose of swaddling is to help a newborn gently acclimate to the outside world by replicating the environment in which the child spent a considerable amount of time feeling comfortable.
See the online course Happy Motherhood: Methods of Gentle Care >>> for more details on swaddling, including when and how long to do it for and when to stop using it.
But aside from this, there are a ton of other activities you can do with the infant on this table:
- change clothes;
- change the diaper (read the article What diapers are best for a newborn>>>);
- treat with powder;
- clean the nose;
- smear with cream, etc.d.
A changing table is also essential for gymnastics and massage. It takes at least 15 to 20 minutes to complete these tasks, and it is difficult to stand hunched over the bed for that long.
The changing table can be used worthy purposes even after the time for swaddling and gymnastics has passed. You can load it with different baby care products.
Additionally, some of these tables’ drawer models work well in place of a children’s clothing closet. In a child’s room, diaper changing tables are a worthy addition to the interior design.
What a changing table should be like?
After discussing the necessity of purchasing a changing table, let’s address the issue of how to make a changing table selection.
It must first fulfill a few requirements in order for its use to be comfortable and convenient. Consider the following factors when selecting a changing table:
It needs to be at least 70 cm long and 60 cm wide. It should fit a baby comfortably who is at least three months old, with room to spread his arms and legs.
When placing the baby on the table, avoid bending over or standing on tiptoe. It should be roughly 15 centimeters from its surface to your elbow-bent arm.
- There should be shelves or pockets on top for essential things: diapers, nappies, etc.. All this should be at your outstretched arm"s length.
- It is desirable that there are drawers or shelves for baby things under the tabletop. This is very convenient.
- There should be free space below so that you can come close to the changing table, and not reach for the tabletop.
After taking into account each of these factors, you should be able to select the most practical and useful model out of many.
Note: To avoid having to go outside every time a diaper or other item gets dirty, there should be a basket for used laundry next to the table.
For new parents, a changing table is a must-have piece of furniture because it provides a designated, orderly area for changing diapers and taking care of the baby. It offers a practical and secure space at a comfortable height, lowering the possibility of back strain for caregivers and keeping all required supplies close at hand. A changing table makes changing diapers easier and makes sure all the supplies you need are accessible and neatly arranged for your baby’s care. Its useful design also includes built-in storage.
Models
The changing table comes in a variety of forms. Each model has advantages and disadvantages. You can choose from the following list of changing table types that I will be listing:
- Changing board.
Switching out the board
Naturally, this choice cannot be referred to as a table; however, the model still accomplishes its primary tasks.
This kind of changing table has the benefits of being inexpensive, portable, and small. There won’t be much room for the board. It is portable and adaptable to various locations.
One drawback is that there aren’t any more shelves or drawers.
- Another budget option is a mattress.
Filler and oilcloth are used to make it. The changing table is ready when you place it on any surface.
The benefits of this model are the same as those of the first option: you can place it on any hard surface and move it to wherever is most convenient.
The lack of room for items, such as baby care supplies, is a drawback.
- Wall-mounted box with a folding tabletop.
There are shelves on this model for items. The drawback is that you can’t fit much in them due to their small size. Just the bare minimum: a few diapers, powder, cream, and diapers.
The requirement to mount on the wall is a drawback.
A shelf that can be restocked
It may or may not have wheels. Ikea offers these types of changing table models.
The main upper tabletop and multiple shelves make up the design. The necessary items have a designated spot. The model’s mobility is appealing as well. You can move it to different locations because of the wheels.
- Changing table with a chest of drawers.
A dresser with a changing table inside
Its upper section is a changing tabletop. It also needs to have a changing mattress placed on top of it or a blanket placed over it and another diaper placed on top.
The model’s drawers are a plus. You can fill them to the brim with items. This will be a respectable substitute for a closet.
- A bed with a built-in changing table. In such models, a child can sleep up to 10 years. The long-term use is attractive here.
Whatever model you select, keep in mind that the materials need to be safe for the infant and the environment. Additionally, confirm that the changing table cover is dirt- and moisture-resistant.
Crucial! If the model has wheels, they need to be locked in place to prevent movement.
| Convenience | Changing tables provide a designated space for diaper changes, keeping everything you need within reach. |
| Organization | They help keep diapering supplies organized and easily accessible, reducing the chances of misplacing items. |
| Comfort | Changing tables are designed to be at a comfortable height, reducing strain on your back during diaper changes. |
| Safety | Many changing tables come with safety features like straps or rails to help keep your baby secure during changes. |
A changing table provides parents with a practical and cozy area to change their child’s diaper. It simplifies and organizes the process by keeping all the required supplies close at hand.
One major benefit of a changing table is safety. It provides parents peace of mind by keeping their baby safe and secure during diaper changes thanks to its raised edges and safety straps.
A changing table can help prevent strain on your back over time by preventing you from bending over all the time. When changing diapers frequently, being at the proper height really helps.
