Key Elements to Look For In Your Changing Station

• Your Baby Diaper Changing Station Should Fit Your Lifestyle
• Your Baby Changing Station Should Fit the Individual Needs of Your Baby
• Your Baby Changing Station should be safe, clean, and stress-free, making your life easier. 

There are a lot of things to consider, but we’re here to help in making it a smooth and effortless process: by the end of this, you’ll be a changing station black belt!

Let’s dive into the qualities above!

Your Baby Diaper Changing Station Should Fit Your Lifestyle

In choosing a changing station, it is important to keep your own lifestyles in mind. Whether you are a very active mommy that spends more time outdoors than indoors, or have a much more chill lifestyle, there is surely a changing station that can seamlessly fit your needs! Ask yourselves these questions when picking a changing station:

• How much time do you spend outdoors?
• Who is going to be using the changing station the most? Is it you, your partner, or your baby’s babysitter? Either way, bring them into the conversation as well!
• Do you travel or move a lot because of work?
• How much space do you have for a changing station?
• Do you have a lot of pets that could treat your baby’s changing station as a playground?

Your Baby Changing Station Should Fit the Individual Needs of Your Baby

Being the person who will spend the most time on the changing station, it is key to consider your baby’s needs when setting up one. For example, if your baby tosses and turns a lot, it might not be a good idea to get an elevated changing table: changing him on your bed while using a changing mat could be a safer option, or even just having a little toy for him to play and get distracted with can make a huge difference!

Your Baby Changing Station should be safe, clean, and stress-free 

Once your baby arrives you’ll have even less time in your hands, so it’s really important to pick a changing station that is safe, easy to clean and hassle-free, to make your life easier. That way you’ll have even more time to spend with your lovely baby!

Beware of sharp edges or small parts, as well as the material of the changing station: opt for a non-porous material that is easy to clean and won’t retain bacterias and germs.

Do I need a Changing Table?

The short question is no, it’s not a necessity. Here are some pros and cons on picking a changing table as a changing station.

A huge advantage of having a changing table as a changing station is that it is definitely better for people with back pains, one of the biggest problems that newbie moms have to deal with. Although you have to be careful when buying changing tables by keeping your own height in mind as well as your physical limitations, especially while ordering online — buying one that is the wrong height would result in you having to hunch your back just to change baby’s diapers, which would then defeat the purpose of changing them in comfort.

The average height of a changing table is between 34″ and 40″, you’ll want to pick one that is as high as your navel, that way when you rest your hands on your baby’s belly your elbows will be at a perfectly comfortable 90° angle.

Here’s a useful chart to help you choose the height  of your baby changing station based on your height.

I hate to be a party pooper (pun intended) but we need to take some disadvantages about this type of changing station into consideration. First off, changing tables might be bulky and the lack of versatility of some models will most likely make you regret buying one. Indeed, most of them don’t have any other purposes other than being a changing station, which could make them obsolete before your little muffin’s first birthday. If you have friends or family members to hand it down to that’s great, otherwise it will just be sitting in a corner of your house, occupying space that could be used in much more productive ways.

Another thing is that the more your baby grows, the more difficult it will be to keep them still, and having to deal with a temper tantrum becomes much more dangerous on an elevated changing station. So if you’re thinking of buying a changing table, make sure that it is steady and that the buckles for your baby are snug and resistant. In other words, you have to make sure that your changing station is baby proofed.

How to Choose the Perfect Changing Station Table

When choosing a changing station table, there are a few things to take into consideration (if you’re not quite convinced yet, skip to the next section to see what your other changing station options are).

• Size: when ordering online, make sure to measure the space where you intend to set up your changing station; even do it twice (it’s better to double check than to have a changing table delivered twice). 

• Versatility: changing tables can be pricey, so make sure that you pick a multipurpose model or that it at least has space for storage underneath it.

• Easy to clean: try to shop for a changing table that is easy to wipe and clean, in case things get messy. Plus, chances are your friends are also going to have babies shortly after you, and changing stations are great hand me downs if kept in good conditions.

• Sharp edges and small parts: it is important that you’re changing station is completely safe for your baby, as they’ll be using it very often; so make sure to check for potential mechanical hazards before buying a changing station table to spend less time in baby proofing or worse, to be forced to buy another one!

• Position: you’ll most likely be in all sorts of pain after giving birth, so having to get up the stairs each time your little muffin needs to get their diapers changed can be very tiring. Pick a convenient placing for your changing station, as close as possible to the nursery room or playroom, and preferably downstairs if your house is on multiple floors.

• Style and Color: having a changing table that also looks good with the rest of the nursery room is definitely a plus! Try to match your changing station to baby’s crib and other furniture to make it look extra classy.
  The choice of the color is also important and heavily tied to point no.3 (easy to clean), you’ll want to choose a color that won’t get stained so easily. The quality of the product plays a huge role in this, so make sure to read some online reviews before buying a changing station!

What other Changing Station options do I have?

Well, I’m glad you asked! Here’s a rundown of the changing station options that you have other than the classic changing table:

• Changing pads: they’re usually very lightweight and don’t occupy too much space; changing pads can even be hung on the wall, making them super portable.
  We recommend getting a wipeable changing pad to avoid having even more laundry to take care off (trust us, you’re going to have a lot already!); but still consider buying a fabric cover for your changing station, in case your baby is more sensitive to cold.
  A good changing pad will allow you to change your baby wherever, without having to go to the nursery each time. If you don’t have back problems, this could be the perfect changing station solution for you!

• Dresser & Changing pad: truly a killer combo. This option is probably the most versatile one: the dresser will be necessary until your baby is all grown (and beyond), and the changing pad can be moved around and used in every part of the house (we would avoid using it in the kitchen, but you do you!). The only thing to check is that the changing pad should have anti-slippery strips underneath it as well as a buckle for extra safety.

• Changing Pad with Weight Scale: allowing you to change your baby and checking his growth at the same time, this changing station is truly a game changer! But keep in mind that it is heavier than the usual changing pad, so it might not be as versatile and portable.

• Bath Changing Table: a multifunctional changing station, where your baby can also take baths in complete comfort. You’ll use your changing station anyways to change your baby after giving them a bath, so why not have them both at the same place? This changing station can also be useful if things get messy!

• Wall Mounted Changing Station: yes, we’re talking about the ones that you usually find in public bathrooms. Who says you can’t have one in your own home? This changing station option is a great way to save space, but make sure to have an expert install it so it’s extra safe!

What Toiletries should I have in my Changing Station?

Now that you have your changing station installed, it’s time to fill it with all the toiletries that you need! The list can obviously change if your baby has particular needs, but here are the changing station essentials:

• Fragrance and alcohol free baby wipes
• A good amount of diapers (as we said earlier, you’ll definitely need them); we also recommend to always have a pack of diapers that are one size bigger
• Diaper rash cream
• A diaper pail or a trash can with a lid
• An extra outfit, or at least an extra bodysuit (things might get messy!)
• A pacifier or small toy to keep your baby distracted
• For Mommy: hair ties and hand sanitizer for before and after

After changing your baby you might as well get some other things done to save precious time, so here are some non-essential items that you might want to have by your changing station:

• Moisturizing cream, especially if your baby has eczema
• Baby nail clippers or scissors
• Baby’s medicines and vitamins
• A thermometer
• A nasal aspirator or suction bulb

Pro tip: set up a diaper subscription, so you don’t ever have to worry about running out of diapers in your changing station!

Setting up Your Outdoor Changing Station

Babies are unpredictable, you never know when they’ll get hungry or when they’ll use the bathroom, so you better not be caught unprepared!

After taking care of your changing station at home, it’s time to think about how you’ll want to change your baby when you’re outside. 

Having a lightweight yet sturdy diaper bag is key. We recommend to use a backpack one, rather than a messenger or shoulder bag type, simply because they’re easier to throw on and to carry around. Another option is to find a waterproof bag that can fit under your baby’s stroller, so you can just slip your changing station underneath and don’t worry about it for the rest of the trip!

Try to buy a diaper bag in a physical store rather than an online shop, that way you can actually try it on and see what works for you. By doing this you’ll also be able to check the straps, because you’ll want to find a diaper bag with straps that can be adjusted with ease, but not too much ease: continuously having to adjust them because they move by themselves can be a huge nuisance. Another thing to check is the zip’s pull tabs: huge metal ones will most definitely clink while you walk, and while it can be non-noticeable at first, feeling like you’re wearing cowbells all day can be super annoying!

Inside your selected portable changing station, you’ll have to put the essentials mentioned above, plus a rollable or foldable changing pad or a small mattress protector.

Make sure that the surface that you’re using is well-sanitized and try to wash your portable changing station equipment everytime that you use them in a public place. This way you’ll be able to change your baby in a super hygienic and safe way.

That’s it, now you’re ready to change your baby in complete serenity!

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