You will use this area several thousand times. Fifteen minutes of thought now saves a lot of back pain and fumbling later.
The one-hand rule
One hand stays on the baby at all times. Everything you need must therefore be reachable with the other hand, without stepping away, turning around or opening a cupboard across the room.
Babies roll earlier than parents expect, often for the first time on a change table. Never step away, not for a second. If you have forgotten something, take the baby with you.
Height
The surface should sit at roughly your waist, or a little below. Too low and you will be bent over for years; too high and it becomes awkward to control a wriggling toddler. If you and your partner are very different heights, compromise slightly towards whoever does more changes.
Table or chest of drawers?
A dedicated change table usually has raised sides and open shelves, and is designed for the job. It has a limited life.
A chest of drawers with a change mat on top does the same job, stores more, and becomes ordinary furniture afterwards. This is what most families end up preferring.
Either way, use a change mat with raised edges, and anchor the furniture to the wall. Toppling furniture is a serious hazard once a toddler starts opening drawers to climb.
What to keep within reach
- Nappies, in the current size and the next one up
- Wipes, ideally in a one-handed dispenser
- Barrier cream
- Two or three spare bodysuits
- A change of cot sheet, for the nights that need one
- Disposal bags and a lidded bin
- A cloth for the surface
Anything else belongs in storage, not on the surface.
Lighting
You will use this area at 3am. A dim, warm lamp beside it means you can see what you are doing without waking the baby fully. Overhead lighting at night defeats the purpose of a calm change.
A second station downstairs
In a two-storey home, a basic setup on the ground floor saves a lot of stairs. It does not need furniture. A mat, a small basket of nappies, wipes and a spare outfit is enough.
Safety details worth checking
- The change mat should not slide on the surface
- Nothing hangs above the change area
- Cords, cables and blind chains well out of reach
- Creams and lotions stored where a toddler cannot reach them
- The bin has a lid and sits away from the baby
Frequently asked questions
How long will we use a change table?
Most families stop using a raised surface somewhere between one and two years, when changes move to the floor for safety.
Do I need a change table at all?
No. A mat on a bed or the floor works. A raised surface simply saves your back.
Where should the bin go?
Close enough to reach one-handed, far enough that the baby cannot touch it. A lidded bin makes a real difference in a small room.
See the options
Change tables, chests and nursery packages in matching finishes are available at our Peakhurst showroom.
General information only. For furniture stability and product safety see Product Safety Australia (ACCC).