Changing Table - Alternatives?

I never really liked my changing table. So I just got a cute mini utility bag (from Thrity-One Gifts) that had an open top that I put the diapers, traveling wipe container, and a changing pad. On the sides I put lotion, nail clippers, butt creams, and anything else little I would need for diaper changes. Then I would just carry the bag to where I wanted to change the baby like the couch or on the floor.

When my kids were little we had a pack-n-play that had a diaper changing station that could be attached or removed. That is what I used most often as the pack-n-play lived in the room where we were most often. If that was not convenient I would just put a blanket down on the floor and change them on the blanket.

I used an old fashioned "student desk" (the kind they made for home use before computers). I stuck a changing pad on top and put all the diapers and wipes in the drawers. You might be able to pick one up at a second hand shop.

You can get a changing table pad at Babies R Us... or wherever... for pretty cheap and you can put it on any table top or dresser or desk. We did this in our babies rooms, put the changing table on top of the dresser rather than buying a stand-along changing table. Does your pack-n-play have a changing table feature? You could do that too.

We never had a changing table at all. We just used a changing pad on top of my daughter's dresser when she was a baby. We kept wipes and diapers right next to the changing pad until she was old enough to grab the diapers and throw them - at that point I kept the diapers in a small basket on the floor. If you don't have a dresser on the first floor that you could use maybe a desk or similar piece of furniture. Since it's a temporary situation you could even put a changing pad on your dining room table - if you have one and won't be eating regular meals there. As a last resort you could just put a changing pad on the couch on top of some waterproof pads whenever you need to change a diaper. You could move it out of the way when you're not using it and just set it up whenever you need it.

Good luck with your new baby!

Well let's see there is the couch, the floor, an ottoman...

I did buy a changing table and NEVER used it. I used all of the above or any other flat surface. You could simply lay a towel down and change baby on it.

I know a lot of people that use their changing table regularly but that was just one more thing I bought and never used.

Congratulations on your new arrival!

Changing tables are small! And so expensive!! I am pregnant with my 4th (a total surprise!) so I basically have to start all over again. I always used the top of whatever dresser I had in the room that was considered the "nursery." Since those rooms are now occupied with older children and there isn't any room for an infant to move into, I'm putting this new baby in my room until a better solution comes up. I, too, looked at changing tables because all the dressers in my house are being occupied and I can not exactly go into my older childrens rooms in the middle of the night, risk waking them up just to change the baby on their dresser. Plus, I need storage space to hold all the essentials I will need on hand and a changing table is just too small to accommodate what I need. I went to the walmart web site and found a changing table/dresser combo. It's white, has three fairly roomy drawers, and to the right of the drawers is a door where there is one shelf that adjust to 3 different slots. It's not all wood but it was reasonable enough to afford and it fits in a little corner of my bedroom. For me, it's perfect! I found a changing table at the Salvation Army but when I looked at just how flimsy it was and how little storage is would allow underneath, I knew that it was not going to work. IF you have your heart set on a changing table, you might consider consignment shops and the Salvation Army. I know I've seen them in those places in my area.

You can just buy the contoured changing table pad. Then you can move it to wherever is convenient. The coffee table, the counter, the floor. Just set up your own station. :)

I would just have a changing pad and change the diapers on the floor or couch. I wouldn't invest in anything particular. I used a changing table for a little while with my first, but soon it turned into a place to store things. I don't see a problem with a changing pad anywhere you can find a place. I also did have the play and pack things that had the changing thing on it. Good luck.

We used a laminate desk, the top of a washing machine, the floor, whatever was there! We even used one side of the kitchen counter (reserved just for baby changing) when our son was a newborn!

I never used a changing table at all with either child. In our living room I had a cute small basket with a couple diapers, wipes and a small blanket for downstairs diaper changes

We just used a blanket on the floor. We got a cute basket to keep all the diapers and ointment in so it was easy to pick up and move or keep out of baby number ones way!!! It might be hard to do though at first with bending down...maybe you could do it on the couch on the blanket of course??? You could also move your current changing table down stairs and use a blanket on your bed up stairs.

Good luck

Why not just get a good changing pad and change the baby on the floor in whatever room you're in? A friend of mine with 4 kids had diapers, wipes, and a changing pad stashed behind furniture in her living room and in her den, and it worked beautifully for her. I also used to change my wiggly babies on the floor, because they HATED being restrained, and a baby can't fall off the floor.

I never had a changing table when I had my daughter 16 years ago. I had a washable pad that was made to go on top of a low/wide dresser (ours had a mirror and she loved that!), then I had others (like a large one from a diaper bag). I could change her on the floor and wash it up/sanitize it easily. These came in handy when I began home daycare when she was 3 and the rules required washable surfaces for diaper changing (and we have to spray a bleach and water combo on them to clean after every change).

Back then, I just did not have the money, nor the space for a free standing changing table. Many use bassinets, or the bassinet piece of a packNplay, or the floor with these washable pads, as I did. Be creative!

Congrats on the new baby!

We kept a "diaper caddy" in the living room and changed his diaper on a clean towel on the floor or couch.

We had that travelbed/bassinet/change table combo, but it probably costs 75.00 too. The good thing about it was that the baby could nap in there and that I could put him in there and he was safe when I had to walk away for a moment. Maybe you'll find something like that second hand.
I often changed my kids on the floor. I used a padded mat and just put that on the floor when it was time to change them. It worked just fine.

For downstairs I have a pad that goes on top of the changing table. I bought it at target for $20 bucks. I keep it put away against the wall and then when I change a diaper I can change them on the bed or couch. You could also set up a station on top of a dresser.

we have 3 kids and never owned a changing table (we use blanket on the floor, couch, bed), never missed it.

Put a changing pad on the couch. Just put supplies and some extra clothes
in a basket. To me changing tables are a waste of money. Congratulations.

Updated

Put a changing pad on the couch. Just put supplies and some extra clothes
in a basket. To me changing tables are a waste of money. Congratulations.

I've had 2 c/s's and with each I changed the baby either on the couch (on a waterproof pad) or on the changing 'cradle' that comes with out pack n play. The pack n play was much more comfortable in the beginning when you are still tender from the operation and don't want to be twisting around to change the baby on the couch beside you. The pack n play on our living floor was also very helpful with baby #2 b/c I could just put her down to sleep and spend time with my oldest and quickly grab the baby when she woke up again. Bonus: Baby #2 learned right from the start to sleep through the noise in our house!

I agree about using the extra features on a pack and play. That's what we used with our first. I know that after my c-section getting up and down off the floor to change diapers would have been way too painful. Another thought would be to find a dresser that is tall/ wide enough to do diaper changes on. That's what we use with our kids now and we put a changing pad on top of that. I like that the best because when the kids are out of diapers, it will just be a nice dresser.

Changing pad on top of the dining room sideboard. Throw it in the closet when people come over.

I had the same exact situation. I got a Pack 'N Play with a bassinet and changing table thingy on Craigslist for $50. It had an attachment to hold diapers and wipes, pacifiers, etc. And I don't feel like I wasted a lot of money because it's not just a changing table. Of course, if you already have a pack 'n play, that doesn't work out so well, but we didn't. We take the pack 'n play on trips until the baby is out of a crib, so we use it for a while.

We used a pac-n-play with a changing table set up on the top. It was a perfect solution to our cramped living room. I kept a waterproof cover over the bottom and it lasted through 3 babies no problem. It really helped being able to change them at hip level and not on the floor. You can probably find a used one in good condition through Craig's List or similar venues. Good luck!

For my last baby I had 2 things I used. in the dining room I had a buffet. long low dresser type thing. I put one of those padded terrycloth things on it and a little basket full of changing supplies. used that for about a year. in the family room (other end of the house) I had a dry sink which has been in our family forever. My mom got it at a garage sale when I was a kid. I used that as a changing station and it was really better even than the changing table I had upstairs. it had doors under for keeping supplies hidden away and a nice space to change him where he couldn't fall out. I would go to a second hand store and find a nice low dresser or dry sink to use.

We used a pack and play on the first floor that had a changing table set up. Then I could also put the baby down to sleep in it downstairs as well. Best of luck!

We used a nightstand with a pad on top.

When my first little one was born, I didn't even have a changing table. I used an old cabinet that was waist height (on me) and then got a contoured changing pad that bolted to it (so it wouldn't slip off). You can get them on amazon. That thing lasted through all 4 of my children and then it went on to go through 2 more when my friend snagged it for her kids. And to tell the truth, I didn't always use the changing pad anyway, especially after I had my sections. I was even aloud to pick my girls up that high, let alone the older toddlers still in diapers so I usually changed them on the floor (on a soft moisture-proof cloth), or the couch since I didn't have to lift them very high.

Can you just move the one from upstairs downstairs for a while and use a bed or the crib for changing upstairs?

Another option is to buy an inexpensive bassinet for that purpose, that could also be used for naps. Or a pack and play with the changing table insert, although they aren't cheap...

I never used a changing table (and I also had a c-section.) I just didn't see their value... too many other options... just MHO!

Hi--
Get one of the changing table pads and put it on top of your dryer.
J.

Do you have a dresser you can use, or a desk? We used the spare bedroom bed for it, for a while, and put down a couple of towels in case of accidents.

Check the local thrift stores (make sure that they are treating all the furniture for bedbugs, though, before you think about taking it home). A desk or dresser or sidetable might work.

When I had my first everything was spotless, I wiped everything down before placing him on any surface, even if a pad was placed under him. By the time number 4 came along he was changed on the couch with a pad or on the floor, on the floor of the car. We have even changed him by holding him in the air.
Just get a changing pad and keep his diaper items in a basket in the living room.

Throw a towel down on the couch.
Use a changing mat on the floor/couch/coffee table.

We don't have room for a changing table in our house, so the changing mat is on the floor.
Congrats on the new addition!