Change table - yay or nay?
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Topic: Change table - yay or nay?
Posted By: clover
Subject: Change table - yay or nay?
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 11:00am
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Hey there,
Just wanting some opinions on change tables and if it is worth having one or not. People seem to either love them or hate them. Also, thoughts on a folding one rather than a solid one with the two shelves underneath (which would be good for storage but I imagine also an opportunity for a lot of mess). I quite like the plan folding Mocka one http://www.mocka.co.nz/baby-change-tables/folding-change-table-baby-change-table.html - here . Any thoughts? Thanks! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: bopmum
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 11:08am
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I'm glad we didn't buy one and just borrowed. We didn't use it for very long prob till DS was about 4 months. The one we had was a plastic one with a bath under the change part which was GREAT when he was a new born as didn't have to lug the bath round.
I would say, in my opinion, don't spend a lot of money on one as you may not use it for very long. The one we have now sits in the corner of DS's room collecting dust! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Jacobsmumma
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 11:15am
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We have a plastic one with bath underneath too and DS grew out of the bath quite early. But we still use the change table for all his changes and he's nearly 15mo. My DH is 6ft 6in so needs to use it. I'll prob get told off by Plunket or someone but he stopped attempting to roll off it ages ago. I use the bath to store stuff which is good. We'll use it for the second bubby too so it'll have been well and proper used in our household. Sorry I prob wasn't any help as you'd asked for advice re folding ones, just thought I'd give you my 2cents worth ------------- 
(9lbs 6ozs) 
(11lbs 4ozs) |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 11:19am
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Well, I'm only four weeks in, so it's obviously only early days, but I love our one (which has a bath like the others mentioned). It's so nice not to have to bend down to change him, it's a space to store all the towels / flannels / nappies etc right where you need them, and I love being able to bath him in the living room where it's warmer and there's more space to move round.
I think Lisette's right, we'll only use the bath while he's quite little, but I'm sure I'll keep using the change mat / storage space. And you can sell them on TradeMe once you're done... -------------   
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Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 11:39am
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Thanks Lisette and Hopes, Jacobsmumma I was only wondering if the folding ones were any good at all, if you think the structured ones with the bath are better then that is certainly helpful! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 11:41am
| I loved mine. I got a 2nd hand fold up one on trademe for $15 and it got used for nearly the entire first year. I just put a couple of plastic boxes underneath on the fabric shelf and used some ribbon to keep them there so I had plenty of storage. |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 11:53am
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I would get one.
Mine was a life saver, I ended up with an emergency CS with my DS and I wouldnt have been able to get on the floor to change him as I was just so so sore after having him. With DD, I used it a bit, but after her elective CS I was much better and could get on the floor and change her. ------------- |
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 12:24pm
I just bought a change mat and used it on a chest of drawers when she was little. Shes a very active wee thing so we had to stop changing her up high before 5 months. Now my favourite places to change her are on the spare bed in her room (i sleep there sometimes) or on her change mat under the playgym so she lies still for 3 seconds  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MamaT
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 12:35pm
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I still use mine every day. I don't know what I'd do without it. DS has never tried to roll off it (yet) and like someone else mentioned it saves my back. I use the shelves to store blankets, towels, nappies and some clothing - it is great to have it all there if/when needed (especially when we were having to change him and the bed twice a night)
I have one of the touchwood ones with the two shelves and a drawer and it has been fantastic having that extra storage space, we have well and truly got our moneys worth from it. -------------  
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 12:36pm
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Lily hated the change table, not sure why, maybe being strapped down did it? Anyway I also found it easier to lay her on a blanket or towel down on the ground or bed and change her (in the early days you have a few accidents but after a couple of months it stops!) also just kept wipes and nappies handy for places where I changed her which was usually our bed (night time changes) and the lounge next to the couch.
I had a normal birth so either was fine but can understand the whole csect thing too! Ours had a bath and that was great too! But she out grew it by 5 months so we started bathing with her in the big bath and now the change table never gets used. MIL got it new for us for about $150. The style you have linked above is what my mum had and she loved it! She wanted to get me one like that. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: stefany3
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 12:58pm
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I have one of the plastic ones with the bath underneath too, but he outgrew it after a few months. but like someone else said, great for storage!
And I love the 2 shelves underneath for nappies/towels/wipes etc. I LOVE changetables. I still use it now, at 16months old, and he knows to not roll around on it. I hate changing him on a bed or the floor as it's such a PITA! 
I bought mine off trademe for about $100. I wouldn't live without it. ------------- 
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Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 1:11pm
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We have a wooden one with a cupboard and drawers underneath. We still use it every day and C is 21 months. It's really good now as I'm finding it really hard to bend forward to change C on the floor being so pregnant
We got the one we did because we had the room for it. Also the change table part (the safety rail/edge) can be taken off and then you just have a cupboard and drawers that already match the furniture
My DH is tall too and hates changing nappies on the floor so that has probably helped in the usefulness factor too I guess. ------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: ereynolds
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 1:17pm
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Though we are only very early into things, our change table has been a lifesaver- or should I say backsaver! I had a C section and so find bending down really hard and my hubby has back issues, so the one we have is perfect. Ours is solid wood with 2 shelves below- borrowed it from my SIL. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 1:26pm
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We were given a folding one with DD which was great, and we gave it away when we were finished with it.
When we were comtemplating what type to buy for #2, we were at a friends place and I caught DD in their babies room trying to climb up the X -Frame part of a folding change table, eeekk! So we got a solid one- the JollyJumper one from Farmers with the bath in and shelves on sale for about $150- we have never used the bath and never internded to, but I liked all the shelves and pockets and it was a lot cheaper than the wooden ones . DD could stand on her little chair next to the change table to "help" me change DS! The wooden ones can later be used as sheelving in a childs room tho- with those canvas boxes which look pretty cool. |
Posted By: Huggles
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 1:34pm
| we have the touchwood wooden change table with a drawer and two shelves. we still use it everyday and DD is 17months old. i am one to use it all the time as i know that i have everything in the one place. I love it! |
Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 2:24pm
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Thanks everyone, I've just this minute brought a second hand touchwood one off TM for $120, with a sand and a paint it should be as good as new. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 2:46pm
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I brought the mocka folding one, havn't used it yet. I liked it cause it folds up and can be put away or used elsewhere in the house. I also intend to change her on the floor eventually and didn't want a solid one cluttering up the room. Also I found the folding one to be a little lower for my short legs. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 2:57pm
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At first I hardly used the change table and would change DS in the lounge on the floor but as he has gotten bigger I have actually found he keeps stiller on the change table than on the floor....so things might change as you go, might get heaps of use at the start or you might find you use more later on! ------------- 
 Oct 11
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Posted By: Babykatnz
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 3:28pm
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I bought a folding one and still use it now, DD has just gone 15 months and theres still plenty of room for her, but it folds up flat, it also has a little fold out shelf which is great for holding all the little things like nappy cream, powder, wipes etc.
Heres mine  ------------- Brandon - 05/12/2003  
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Posted By: HuntersMama
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 4:05pm
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I love ours, its really saved my back. We have a solid wooden table that a friend gave us. We have a folding one at mums at that is great too. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 4:57pm
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I don't think they are a necessity , but if you do get one I think you should get one that you don't have to bend too much, my back ached after labour with C and bending over the change table felt even worse ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 5:56pm
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I still use our and DS is 20months old.
BabyKatnz, I have the same one as you. |
Posted By: Kalimirella
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 6:18pm
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My personal opinion is they are nice only while recovering from the birth (whether natural or C/S) to save the soreness of getting down to the floor and back up again. But once healed its much nicer and safer to change on the floor. Having recently heard a horror story of a mother who quickly reached down for a nappy and her baby fell off the changing table and has now died, well that was when I thanked my lucky stars I don't have one.
Plus on the floor you can take your time, sing songs, play games etc. We just use the same sort of changing mat as you buy for the change table but on the floor. ------------- Kiara is 3 and Teagan is 2, now we're expecting our long awaited 3rd! http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 8:32pm
That was part of my thinking too Kalimirella - I read some stats about how many babies are seen at A&E with "fallen off the change table" injuries 
Plus you are right, change time is often quite fun on the floor. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: shadowfeet
Date Posted: 16 September 2010 at 11:45pm
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I'm about to put the change table away in a few days. It's been great but lately DD's been so active trying to roll off and crawl off the top so we can't be inattentive for even a second. We have one of the ones with an inbuilt bath. I think next time around I'd get one with a replaceable change mat as the one we have has split along the seams due to me leaning on it a wee bit when picking DD up cos I'm such a shorty. We've used the bath once and hated it so havn't used it again. But I love having the out of sight storage so I can just throw things in there. The compartments down the side are useless for things like huggies wipes tubs as they just don't fit. And now DD thinks it's the best to roll over and remove all she can from them and play (chew) them. I hate the scooped shelves too, would be easier with flat shelves for storage. ------------- 
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Posted By: RedHeadDuck
Date Posted: 17 September 2010 at 8:39am
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We've got one, used it once. Hate it.
I kept finding pretty much every time I started changing DS the phone would ring, or the doorbell, so if he's on the ground at least I can leave him there to kick about while I do something else. Also it's a great time to be able to give him some bare bum time!! I usually use a towel or change mat on the ground. I have a wee box thing with nappies and wipes cream thermometer moisturiser etc that follows me round the house for whatever room I'm in! |
Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 17 September 2010 at 8:44am
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Aren't you suposed to strap them in while they're on there to stop them falling off???
I think I said on my first post that everyone seems to go one way or the other and this thread is a perfect example. I'll give it a go, if I don't like it I'll stick it back on TM and shouldn't loose anything. Thanks so much for all your feedback! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MrsEmma
Date Posted: 17 September 2010 at 9:00am
We bought one off Trademe for $100 and it looked like brand new. I use it 95% of the time when changing DS. It has been so handy especially like others and having a c-section, it really helped me out in those early days when I was so sore. I still use it now and DS has never tried to roll off it, I keep toys on it to keep him occupied! I LOVE it for storage, below is a pic of ours and it's so handy.
 ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 17 September 2010 at 10:13am
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Love the baskets!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MrsEmma
Date Posted: 17 September 2010 at 12:00pm
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Thanks Clover!
I'm an organisational freak so had to have something to separate everything and keep it tidy  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 17 September 2010 at 12:09pm
I Love ours, wouldnt be without it. 13 Months and still going strong  ------------- Our Angel July 08 Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived 
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Posted By: Speck8
Date Posted: 17 September 2010 at 1:30pm
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I bought one and have never used it!!! DS is 4 mths.
I just found that I prefer to change him on the floor. I feed him, then change him and give him nappy off time and he can play with his toys and of course I don't have to worry about him falling off anything! Plus his room and the change table are upstairs whereas we spend all our time downstairs in the lounge. I do have a sore back - but reckon I'd have that regardless given how much time I spend on the floor playing with him. Need to remember to "bend at the knees" ;) I keep his nappies and stuff just in a basket, so it's still neat and tidy, oh and I have a cool plastic mat on the floor (with a cloth nappy on top) so never any problems with whoopsies! Definitely think a change table was the one thing I didn't need to buy, but will just whack it on Trade Me and hopefully get my money back as I bought it off TM to begin with
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Posted By: MyLilSquishy
Date Posted: 17 September 2010 at 3:13pm
| we have a solid wooden one and i love it. DS rolls EVERYWHERE and can be gone in a flash. but he doesnt even try to roll off the change table. maybe he knows that the change table is time for his nappy? (and a good beard-to-feet tickle by my DP lol) even doing one change on the floor kills my back and i had an elective CS and i wouldve been lost without it. it also keeps all his nappies, wipes, creams, change mats, bits n pieces together in one spot. and DP is 6ft, im 5'9" |
Posted By: monkey33
Date Posted: 20 September 2010 at 7:57pm
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We also have a wooden one - pretty much identical to Mrsemma's.
We use it all the time, barely have changed DS on the floor. We have a strap on ours which isn't 100% safe but does add a bit of safety. He doesn't try & roll off yet and it is great for storage of all the changing bits & pieces. Will last for #2 and I'm sure will resell well when it comes to that. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mcshort
Date Posted: 21 September 2010 at 10:16pm
They do come with straps, but I seldom use ours as we live by the rule 'always keep a hand on baby', it just isn't safe to leave them at that height. - admittedly I still change my 22mth old on our wooden one which is a solid trolley with 2 shelves, it has pretty baskets on the shelves to keep the mess of nappies under control, and it's fantastic 'cause I'm tall and have a dodgy back - so much easier until they can really kick you in the gut though ------------- Mum to two very active boys, born October 2008 and December 2010. Getting excited about becoming a Childbirth Educator, and LOVIN being a birth support to amazing and courageous women! |
clover wrote:Posted By: Renee & Lauren
Date Posted: 24 September 2010 at 11:39am
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Do yo know we got one from our MIL when Jayden was born and we have used it - well I can count on my hand how many times we use it.
We change him in the lounge on the floor (just like we did we DD) but when he gets older and more mobile I think we will probably use the change table. ------------- http://lilyslim.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: tiptoes
Date Posted: 24 September 2010 at 1:29pm
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I've got one of those wooden ones with shelves and little baskets too and love it. We also hung the mobile above it to amuse DS when he's all wriggly. I actually find it easy to change him when he's wriggly up there as there's no where for him to go and no chance of poo on the carpet ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">  
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Posted By: Red
Date Posted: 24 September 2010 at 1:41pm
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I have a Touchwood one and love it, lots of room for storage underneath and we have it against the wall so DD can chat to the animal stickers on the wall. I couldn't imagine having to get up and down off the floor all the time especially in the early days with a sore bottom! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: myonlineself
Date Posted: 24 September 2010 at 6:42pm
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Its funny, most people either say yes definitely or no don't bother, not many people are in the middle. We just use a change mat on the floor, I don't think a change table is a necessity. We only ever had a change mat on a chest of draws for those early months, but they wriggle so much its just easier on the ground. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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