Do I Really Need a Changing Table for Baby?

When I was preparing for my baby’s arrival, I had my nursery planned out – I wanted to make sure I had all the essential items ready. From my research, I don’t think a changing table was something you need and now that baby J is 10 months old, I can say it’s something that is just “nice to have” at first… and almost useless after.

I found it more helpful to change him on by bed after the first month. I should note that you should make sure you have a mattress protector or a waterproof pad under your sheets – trust me on this. It also helps to line the bed with something to avoid having to change your sheets in the middle of the night. So the mattress protector acts as your last line of defence.

If you’re a new parent and you have your heart set on a changing area, here are my thoughts as a fellow mama:

Choose a dresser

Or a changing table that converts into one. I still found it helpful to have some kind of storage unit to keep all of my baby essentials together. One thing to keep in mind is that you’ll want to choose a table that is low enough for you to change diapers on – I used the IKEA Hemnes dresser and I found that once the baby was slightly heavier… it was not easy for someone with my short 5” frame to navigate on.

Choose a wipeable changing pad

You technically don’t need a changing pad either. But if you were to buy one, I recommend something like the Keekaroo Peanut changer because you can wipe it clean if accidents happen. Plus you don’t need to buy the changing pad covers.

Now that baby J is much more active, I find it’s easiest to change him on the floor. Since I have the peanut changer already, sometimes I’ll toss it on the ground and seatbelt him in to slow him down a little. Or I’ll just follow him and change him while he’s standing.

One final note about the changing pad. This is also very helpful if you have other baby friends. It’s an easy place for other moms to change their babe, especially if there’s a poo explosion.

I hope this helps you make a decision that works best for you and your family. In my experience, these are two items you can save money on and spend it elsewhere.