Soon to be mom with a question!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2005
Soon to be mom with a question!!
8
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 11:16am

Hi all!

My name is Amy and I'm a member of the pregnant after IVF board. We're expecting our first in January.

We're in the process of buying all the gear and getting the nursery ready -- my DH is a talented wood worker and his building our changing station and crib. We recently had a friend over who just returned from a 3 year stint living in Germany. She saw our standard changing pad and exclaimed "OH THOSE suck! You want a european styled changing table". Apparently, they are bigger (i.e. wider but almost as long as the U.S. version) and allow you to place the baby with her feet towards you. In other words, you aren't changing the baby/toddler while standing sideways to the (next to their side). She seemed to think this was easier.

This kinda made sense to us since, when do you ever see a mom changing a baby on the floor sitting next to the child...the mom is always at their feet. But changing stations work the other way. We're confused and don't know what's best...But since DH is building it we can do whatever IS best. Any opinions?? Any BTDT's with some insight???

OH, and if you do think the European Pad is the way to go, anyone know where to buy a pad and some covers?????

Amy
29w2d

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2006
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 11:56am

I can only offer up what I did because it's the only btdt experience I've got.

European or not, I didn't waste my money or time or space with a changing table. For the angle of the baby when changing true, it is so difficult for me to change from the side vs. change with the feet at me. I have better handle on those squirmy body parts that inevitably fling the poo. I just had a fluffy towel folded in half on the floor to change both kiddos. If it got soiled it could go into the wash easy enough. I could change the baby comfortably, and if I were downstairs in the living room I wouldn't have to go upstairs to the nursery to change on the changing table. It seemed like such a waste having a changing table in the nursery because 99% of the time we were in the living room.

With Caroline we did have a dog, with Christopher we didn't, but I would fold up the changing towel and hide it in an end table drawer in the living room with the diapers and wipes so it didn't get dog hair all over it.

That's just my own opinion and what worked for us.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2003
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 12:03pm

Congrats, Amy! As far as the changing table, I find standing next to the kiddos easier, but that's just my preference. My dh is left-handed and I'm right-handed, so being able to face them whichever way is easier for us has helped keep the peace. Congrats!


Edited to add: Our changing table broke b/c of all of our moves, so what we do now is put the changing table pad (waterproof, but soft and fluffy for their bare butts) on a long dresser. Works great for us! Two pieces of furniture in one, and it's a full-size long dresser, so we have had plenty of room as they're getting taller.



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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 12:23pm

Hmmm, I've never seen the european changing table. I will say, though, that just because the long side of the changing table is against the wall doesn't mean you can't still stand at the foot of the child instead of beside it, you just need one end open. And I second the pps that after the first several weeks I hardly ever changed the babe at the changing table. We kept the pad in the living room under an oversized ottoman and just pulled it out and sat on the floor most of the time.

That doesn't make it a useless piece of furniture, though, you need somewhere to keep all that baby stuff, and since my kids are grown I've converted it to toy storage with some inexpensive buckets from Target, very handy. The best place I've seen to get the pads and covers are Babies R Us, but I'm sure you can get them at Wal-mart, Target, Meijer, whatever's easiest.

HTH
Erin

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2006
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 12:54pm

First off, Congrats!!!

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Registered: 03-17-2005
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 1:23pm
Congratulations!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2006
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 1:59pm
I agree with your friend I have a pack and play and that's the way I change my baby and when I have to use the sideways ones out in public it sucks so bad so I would go for the european one like your friend suggests it will make your life easier believe me....good luck with the baby and the birth ...Melinda
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Registered: 03-25-2005
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 4:32pm

Congratulations and welcome.




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Registered: 11-18-2004
Wed, 11-15-2006 - 6:33am

hi

I agree with almost everyone about the changing on the floor! It's the easiest and the most convenient. I however, do have a changing station. We have been in a 2 story house for the 2 houses we've lived in since my 18 mos. was born. It was easier when they are babies to have a place to change him right away. I don't have a changing table though, I think those are a waste of time and money. I have a long 6 drawer dresser. It was unfinished when we bought it and painted it red. I think having something that is multi-purpose is the way to go. Then again we move alot so I am all about organization. If you do go with a dresser or something like it then just double check the width of the pad you want to buy...some are pretty wide and may be to wide for the piece of furniture you want.

;)