Do I need a changing table?
Without expecting the birth of a child, parents very often actively plan upcoming purchases in order to surround him with maximum care when the baby arrives. A changing table for newborns is not always on the list of the most popular things, but at the same time, this piece of furniture significantly helps to save time and effort.
The content of the article
Why do you need a changing table for newborns?
Any expectant parent should consider ways to organize their children's room. And at the same time, you must clearly decide what kind of furniture is required for the baby; you need to decide whether you need to purchase a changing table; it can probably be replaced with other pieces of furniture, for example, a large chest of drawers. But we must not forget that this item must first of all be used to make the life of the child’s parents easier.
Choosing the right changing table for a newborn baby is not easy. When choosing this piece of furniture you need to consider some nuances:
- A changing table for a newborn must be reliable. You should not give preference to this furniture made from cheap plastic, as it can be toxic. Yes, this way you can save your budget, but there is a risk of harming your newborn baby.
- Stability of the diaper. If it is an ordinary board or a full-fledged changing table, then it must be stable. The dimensions of the table are also important.The larger it is, the more comfortable it is for adults to swaddle a child and the convenience and safety for the baby increases.
- Material for making a swaddling blanket. The changing table must be non-slip, and the material with which it is covered must be waterproof.
- The baby changer should be at the required height so that parents do not have to bend over. A good choice is a table on wheels if dimensional model options are being considered. So, you can move it around the apartment without effort.
Do you need a changing table at home?
Some people may say that a changing table is a luxury during the birth of a baby. And, it’s true, since, most likely, in every home you can find many perfectly flat surfaces where you can swaddle a baby.
But if this process must be performed 10 times daily, running around the apartment in search of diapers or powder, then caring for the baby goes beyond the definition of happy motherhood.
Attention! A changing table is usually used for children one year of age. But in fact, many parents independently decide until what time they need a changing table, taking into account the developmental characteristics of the baby.
Most often, diapers are used until six months of age, since at this age the child begins to learn about the world around him by moving and with any oversight on the part of the parents, he can fall to the floor.
Therefore, the child’s temperament is a priority when choosing a model from a particular manufacturer. The height of a newborn baby is also of no small importance: the length of the table for putting on diapers should be at least 75-85 cm of the baby’s total height.
What can be replaced
If you do not purchase a changing table, then parents begin to adapt to different conditions for changing the child, kneeling next to the bed, showing their imagination. In some cases, the diaper changer is simply a desk covered with oilcloth.
There are many disadvantages to any proposed replacement:
- if a sofa is chosen as a changing surface, it is not very hard and is not suitable for the child to develop coordination of movement and is quite dangerous due to the lack of installed limiters. Therefore, the main requirements when creating the stability of an improvised changing surface is the installation of sides;
- minimal functionality (there are no shelves or cabinets nearby with tools or proper swaddling preparations).
When purchasing furniture for a children's room, a rational approach is necessary. A changing table is one of the main tools you need to buy. This piece of furniture simplifies caring for the baby and can be a place to store children's clothes. Additionally, you can also read reviews on the forums.