We've been using a bassinet (the one he sleeped in as an infant) to change our son's diapers and he has starting rolling onto his belly a lot, putting his hands in the poopy diaper, and generally making it difficult to change his diaper - especially at night. I recently changed his diaper at a friend of a friend's house and they had a nice changing table that was the perfect height, a mobile to distract him, and a curved pad so he couldn't roll over onto his tummy. Can anyone recommend a changing table kinda like that, but not too expensive and nice and sturdy? Thanks so much.
I wouldn't waste the money and just use the floor. As for getting him to quit squirming and rolling over a little pop on the butt and a firm "NO" should stop that.
M.,
One of the best changing tables I've found is the floor. There is no fear of baby rolling off the table, and when you're done baby can "escape" to go play. I usually sit with my legs in a V in front of me and off we go. I've also used the couch and my bed. We don't have the money or space for a "real" changing table.
Melissa
Just buy the contoured/curved pad at Target or Babies R Us and put it on top of a dresser. They are pretty inexpensive. You can get any inexpensive mobile (IKEA has cute ones) and hang it from the ceiling. Good luck!
You can buy the pad and covers at Babies R Us or Target and put it on your bed or low dresser. Regarding putting his hands in the poopy diaper - put socks on his hands just before you take the diaper off. He'll be busy trying to get the socks off his hands while you finish cleaning him up.
My little one is not here yet, he is due July 31st, but while shopping for nursery items I have noticed people using the lower long dressers with a changing pad on top of it. That is what our plan is, we already had the dresser we just had to move it to his room. Like others mentioned Babies R Us & Target both carry changing pads at a reasonable price.
That said, when I had my first child I just changed him on the floor or in his crib. The floor was so nice because I could move the diaper out of his reach right away. And I could place toys around him to keep him distracted. But I was 15 years younger and I'm not really sure I can handle getting down on the floor and then back up just for a diaper change these days. I guess we'll find out.
Hope you find something that works for you.
We used the bassinet for changing also and from there moved to a curved changing pad on a dresser. I have put pictures on the wall and you can hang a mobile from the ceiling if you want to. The pad runs between $15-$20 - sometimes you can get a used one very cheap or free off craiglist or freecycle.
Honestly I have always used the floor to change my son when he was in diapers. I thought about the changing table - I'm sure it would have been nice to have one. But in all reality it is short lived and I just couldn't justify the amount of money to spend on a changing table.
What you could do with your son is give him a toy or something to distract him while you are changing him. He is still in that phase where he is learning how to move and control his body (hands) so they will flop and move all over the place. Just hand him a toy to play with and keep his hands busy. Good luck.
you can buy the curved pad at any baby store - it isn't part of the changing table. We have a pad on top of a low dresser - works perfectly (and then we didn't have to invest in a changing table that would only last for a few years).
People often sell changing tables at garage sales for cheap and you can purchase the contoured (curved) changing pads at Target or Babie R Us for $17-20 (it should fit on almost any changing table). If you get a changing table with high sides, you should be able to attach a mobile to that easily.
The other option I have found works best with mobile babies is to just have a pad on the floor with your changing supplies near by and change them there so you don't have to worry about them rolling off and falling (even the contoured pads aren't enough to prevent a fall once the baby is strong enough to roll easily). Have a couple of intersting toys there for the baby to hold and play with while you're changing him so you can stave off the desire to roll away during the diaper change. I had a baby who was very hard to distract while I was changing her and I often found I could actually let her stand to while I changed her once she was getting close to walking unless she had a poopy diaper. Toddlers sometimes fight getting their diapers changed and I have used a baby doll next to them and it sometimes works to say "let's change the baby's diaper" then pretend to change it, and then say "now let's change YOUR diaper" or "let's show the baby how you get YOUR diaper changed." This has been a pretty good distraction for a couple of my toddlers and I know other moms who have used that trick with success.
Just remember that these changing issues are typically not long-lived. :)
Blessings,
J. (mom of 5)
Are you moving him to a crib to sleep in next? If so, you might just be able to by the curved pad (it's called a contoured changing pad) from Babies R Us and the set it in the crib when needing to change him.
Another option is the IKEA changing table. The Sniglar table is $40 and there is a $10 pack of baskets to attach on that holds your changing supplies.
M.,
At his age, I say buying a changing table would be a huge waste of money. I would use the floor or the couch or your bed.
K.
yeah, I second the floor! just be sure to have a toy handy to distract him. My 5-month-old has already become such a big squirmer, eh!
I am a 1st time mom to a 12 month old girl and do not use a changing table even when one is available. My girl is constantly testing me at diaper time and its so far the 1 area I have to be firm with my words. If I let it go 1 time she will roll onto her belly, get up and crawl away in 1 swift movement. I use a curved changing table pad that I put on my bed to save my back a little. The toy thing is also crucial. Anything to keep her interested..a piece of paper, whatever. And with the bed or floor method I am able to remove the soiled diaper and keep it far enough away so she doesn't get into it.
Good Luck
M. - I didn't read the other posts, so I may be repeating here....change him on your bed or on the floor!
If he wiggles around give him a toy, and if he still wiggles you gently but firmly tell him "Please don't roll over, mommy's trying to change you!" and hold him in place. Ten months old seems kind of old to be buying a changing table, I never bought one for either one of my kids.
L.
My cousin bought the pad and put it on top of a dresser. They did either buy or build a heavy frame with a plywood bottom for the pad so that the pad wouldn't slip and so they could attach the safety strap to the frame without marring the dresser.
You could also call around to resale shops. One near me had one for months before they sold it.
M.,, toy, or what ever is near by.. Diaper by itself can provide a lots of fun.. My daughter is 8 months and she is active active girls constanly rolling over during changing .. Lately I will grab her and put her on the bed or just put diaper on her face and say all excited Peek-a- boo.. And she is will totaly forget about turning or rolling over.. 10 months old and new changing table= waste of money...
