When you go shopping for baby, remember to include a baby change table. Before we had them, we would simply place baby on the bed or any other clean, safe surface and change them. This had its problems; it was unhygienic – you only have to think of a soiled diaper to know that you don’t want to change your baby just anywhere. It was unhygienic for baby too; you may place them on a surface that turns out not to be very clean.
And thus the need for a baby change table. You get one select station where you change diapers, making it easy for you to ensure that it’s kept hygienic. It also comes with storage for all your baby changing supplies – if you already have a baby or are preparing for one, you know these can be quite something. A baby changing table also means that you don’t risk contaminating the rest of the house by changing baby just anywhere.
Another little considered but useful advantage is that you get to change baby while standing upright. Many times, right after birth, bending every so often will give you a sore back. Babies soil themselves often and that it takes at least a few minutes for each change. Try to do it while standing upright.
There are many kinds of baby changing tables, so how do you choose? Here are some things to consider:
1. Go for Sturdy
We don’t even want to think a table that could sway and give way, but there are such products in the market. Choose one that’s sturdy enough, and think ahead because baby is growing. You will probably stop using it at 2 or 3 years so factor in weight gain till then. To know if it’s sturdy, first use your eye and hands. Some manufacturers will have a tag on the table that says just how much weight it can take. Some tables will come with a rail around then to keep baby from rolling off. Check how sturdy this is as well –look for a rail made of wood, not plastic or cheap aluminium.
2. Check the height and width
You know the feeling of a halfway stoop for just 3 minutes. You don’t want this. Neither do you want a baby change table that you can’t see over – it’s not safe. Get one which accommodates both parents height. The height also determines the amount of storage space you get. Look at the width, which may not be so significant at the beginning but becomes so as baby grows older and bigger and begins to roll over and try to sit up.
3. Look at storage
This is really important in a baby change table. Just how much you can stash away and out of sight until you need to use it. It should come compartmentalized because then it’s easy for you to be neat and tidy and find what you’re looking for. On average, it should be able to hold a minimum of a day’s diapers, changing creams and lotions, baby wet wipes and a few clothes. It should have a place that can take little things too. Some babies are fussy and cry during a change so a toy or 2 should go in there, as well as a thermometer. The importance of having all things that you need to change baby close at hand is so that you never leave them unattended for even a minute during a change; they could just decide its time to roll over…
4. Storage
Many parents-to-be don’t think about this until they actually face the problem. How easy is it to dismantle and pack away your baby change table? You may need to travel and you want to take it along. If you can get one that can fold, it’s an excellent choice. It also means that you can fold it and keep it away during potty training so that your toddler won’t see it and make associations.
Your choice of a baby change table is as important as any other choice you make for your baby, but with these few pointers, you should be able to find a good one.