How to choose a changing table for a baby?

When a newborn arrives at your home, one of the most common activities, alongside feeding, is changing diapers. At the early stage of a child's life, you will repeat it even several times a day. A changing table for a newborn baby can be a very useful and helpful solution. Although it is not an essential element of the baby's layette, it helps to create a separate corner for changing diapers, where you will always have all the necessary products at hand!

Before we move on to choosing the right model and asking questions such as: whether a soft or hard changing pad will be better - let's start from the beginning, focusing on the features and characteristic elements of the structure that should stand out the best changing table. What to pay attention to when choosing a changing table? Below we suggest which changing table may be the best for you and your child.

What is a changing table?

As you may have already guessed, this is it a special piece of furniture or padthat will make it easier for you to change your baby's diaper. Usually it is a soft filled rectangle with a waterproof cover material. The sides are usually slightly taller than the rest and their purpose is to provide safety for the toddler during any of his movements. Depending on which model you choose, The baby changing table may contain additional elementssuch as belts, shelves, cabinets and drawers.

Is a changing table necessary?

It is not an essential element of a newborn's layette, but it can turn out to be extremely useful. Allows safe and hygienic change the baby's nappy in a designated place. Remember that you do not have to decide on the most expensive solutions. If you do not have a large space to develop or your financial situation does not allow you to buy an extended version of the changing table, it is enough to choose a special mat. There are many options.

Depending on the types, there are, for example, a hard or soft changing table, a chest of drawers or a cot changing table. Choosing which changing table is best for you - it depends on yours your own preferences. In the case of changing tables, you should not worry about assembly issues. In most cases, you will find out how to mount the changing table on a chest of drawers or a cot before reading the assembly instructions.

Regardless of the changing pad you choose, it should primarily be:

• safe for the child,
• easy to keep clean,
• convenient and practical for parents.

Which changing table to choose for a child?

The best changing table for your toddler should have all of the above features, in the further part of the text you will learn why you need to pay attention to them.

Where to change the baby?

A place to change should be first and foremost safe. Toddlers like to squirm, so when changing a diaper, they must not be taken out of sight, even for a moment. Ideally, you should equip yourself with a changing table that will allow you to do so hygienic and safe change the baby's nappy. It can be a changing table for a chest of drawers, a cot or even a portable mat that will allow you to choose a convenient place for you to change a nappy.

Where should the changing table be placed?

It all depends on your decision as to which changing pad you choose. Will it be, for example, a hard or soft changing table. The availability of various models means you can put it on baby cot, chest of drawers or attach to wall. Whichever option you choose, it's important that you have everything you need to change your nappy on hand. You will learn which changing table for a chest of drawers or a cot to choose from in the further part of this article.

Changing mat for a cot: how to assemble?

Familiarize yourself with the models available on the market and decide which one best suits your needs.

Types of changing tables:

Changing table - cover for the cot

In the most popular solution, which is a stiffened surface, covered with a colored oilcloth - easy to keep clean. Of course, we do not put the toddler directly on the oilcloth, but on a fresh tetras or flannel diaper. The overlay is available in two sizes: 70 x 50 cm (for a 60 cm wide cot) and 80 x 50 cm (for a 70 cm wide cot). When buying, check all the seams of the oilcloth, make sure they are relatively soft and plastic, and that they will not crumble at the slightest bending of the filler.
The disadvantage of such a changing table is that it is suitable for a child in the first months of life, i.e. in practice up to about 4 months of age, no longer. The advantage - a really affordable price. The equipment will also work well in small rooms.

Wall-mounted changing table

Extremely practical because it can be mounted at any height, so you can easily adjust it to your height. It comes with shelveson which you can store all the accessories necessary for care - oil, wet wipes or anti-chafing cream. Generally, it can be folded up, so it takes up little space. Before buying, however, be sure to check its permissible load and remember about this parameter when the child is older and reaches this maximum weight.

A chest of drawers with a changing table or a changing table for a chest of drawers

A convenient, stable solution, perfect if you have one lots of space. Equipped with drawers, it will allow you to have all the things a child needs at hand - not only cosmetics, but also diapers and clothes. An interesting solution may be the reverse version, i.e. a changing table for a chest of drawers - in stores you can easily find changing mats that are intended to be mounted on a chest of drawers. Then you can use the piece of furniture you already have. The question of how to mount the changing table on the chest of drawers should not be a problem, as the assembly is usually very intuitive. In summary, it is a cheaper version than buying a chest of drawers with a changing table, and much more convenient than a bed cover.

A changing table for a chest of drawers is a good idea so that when the child grows up, it can be dismantledrestoring the chest of drawers to its original appearance. There are many models available in stores, which should help you decide which dresser changing table to choose.

Changing table

Made of wood or furniture board, equipped with shelves, often with wheels (when choosing, pay attention to whether the wheels can be blocked - this is a necessary condition for safe scrolling).

Soft textile changing pad (changing mat)

Certainly, when deciding how to choose a changing pad, you will consider whether you want to buy a hard or soft changing pad. The latter - is a cheaper option, but is a more convenient variant of the hard version made of planks. It is generally quilted, sometimes covered with a waterproof oilcloth. You can put it on the selected piece of furniture. It will be perfect if you want to change your toddler, e.g. on the couch. It will also replace the changing table on the dresser. Practical, especially if it is machine washable. Some models are available complete with a bag that can be mounted, for example, on a pram or placed in the trunk of a car. Thanks to this, the soft changing pad will also fulfill its function while walking or traveling.

Car changing mat

Made of waterproof fabric, mounted to the headrests of the front and rear seats, perfect for travel, additionally equipped with practical pockets.

Inflatable changing mat

You can easily put it in your purse and just take it out and inflate it at the key moment; has raised sides and a soft headrest. You can also find a model with a cotton overlay, Velcro fastener, or an attached pump or repair kit.

What baby changing table to buy? Which changing table to choose for a newborn?

Before you buy, check out a few of the models and see which one will be the best. Take note the amount of space you can devote to the changing table, its size, construction, whether you want a soft or hard changing table, as well as the quality of workmanship. Take a close look at each of the products that interest you. Try shaking it to see if it wobbles when you move it harder. As a baby grows older, it may begin to fidget more and more when changing diagonally, so it is important that the changing table is stable and safe to use. In addition, check it from all sides and check if it has any protruding elements, sharp edges that could hurt your toddler.

What to put on the changing table?

The best changing table should also be easy to keep clean and friendly to baby's sensitive skin. Most of the changing mats are finished with artificial materials that are not pleasant to the touch for babies, so it is a good solution to buy an additional cover or sheet dedicated to a specific model. It should be made of high-quality material. In this case, it will work great Cottonpleasant to the touch, absorbs moisture well and ensures air circulation.

The most convenient changing table

Also, don't forget about your own comfort. When choosing the best changing pad for your child, follow these steps with your own preferences and the amount of space you can devote to the changing table. If you don't have much space, a changing mat or cot cover may be sufficient. If, on the other hand, you have more space to develop, consider changing tables with a frame, a changing table for a chest of drawers or wall-mounted kits, so that you always have everything at hand.

Until when will the changing table be useful?

The use of different models of changing tables depends on the weight and height of the toddler, as well as his activity. Remember that these are very important parameters that determine the safety of your child.

Scrolling - what, how much?

"When to change a newborn baby?" - probably every mother asks herself this question. However, it is not possible to clearly indicate when to change the baby. However, there is a rule that says that the smaller the toddler is, the more often he should be changed. The skin of a newborn baby is very thin and sensitive and the bladder has a small capacity. Therefore, your child will take care of his needs very often.

When to change a baby?

In the first months of a child's life, they need to be changed as many times as there are fed. Initially every 2-3 hours, then every 3-4 hours. If your little one is asleep, don't wake him up to change things. However, to make his sleep as comfortable as possible, put on a good, moisture-wicking diaper for him.

First things first - changing or feeding?

Each baby is different. You will get to know it in time daily rhythm your child's body and you will develop appropriate habits. Before this happens, however, always try to change your baby around before feeding. Newborns and infants like to fall asleep during or immediately after feeding, it is important that they wear a clean nappy. This way you will prevent chafing of your baby's bottom. However, if during feeding you see signs that the baby has a dirty diaper, change it again.