Change Table or Change Mat...

[InGi]

Hey guys just wondering (sorry if theres already a thread on this topic) Ive been told by a few people that change tables come in really handy so everything you need is in the one place, but then when ive told some friends (who already have kids) im looking at getting one they say they're just a pain in the bum and they really start to hurt your back and its better to just get a portable mat that you can move everywhere. If you already have kids what did you find worked best for you?, and if this is your first what are you going with the table or the mat?
thanks :)

[Herchy]

The table is a good idea I think.... it comes with a mat, so if it gets annoying, just take tha mat off it;)
We only bought the mat and made our own table out of an old computer desk. Plenty or draw space, a good height and plenty of storage space underneath.;)
good luck.

[Butterflies&Hurricanes]

Hmmmm the whole change table thing is weird. Some people swear by them and others hate them. My friend says she couldnt cope without hers... so I decided to get one when we had DS... I used it when he was newborn, but only when we were upstairs (lived in a double storey back then) so when DS was going to be bathed or going to bed or already been asleep etc. When downstairs I prefered to just change him on the floor with a portable mat. Then we moved to Australia and I never bothered getting another one. I also found once DS started wriggling about more I just didnt feel it was safe having him that high up. I certainly would change him on one as a toddler Eeeek he would be on the floor on his head in no time!!
So for me personally... I say dont bother! Along with a baby bath. Waste of money!!

[HarvestMoon]

I bought a change table/bath in one. It really wasn't worth it. I use it for the bath but that's it. I find it easier just to change ds where ever.

[candiee]

i didn't have one with DD didn't really see the point, i thought it was so much easier sitting on the bed/lounge and changing them, when she got bigger and on the move more it was easier on the floor.
a total waste of money in my opinion, but some people swear by them.

[QTB]

ijust changed bub on the bed for the first 3 months ish, then brought a change table... BEST thing i ever brought - we still use it for all changes now at 2.3yrs and have never had him try and run off or anything. love it :D

[k8y]

I'm going to get a change table. I'm not sure if I'll use it or not, but I'm going to have one there just in case I find it really useful. If I don't I'll sell it on ebay.

I know it probably sounds a bit fiddly, but for those who are considering not getting one for fear of bubs falling off - don't they come with straps now too?

[K1W1]

I had a change table with DS and I loved it, I ended up selling it cause we moved to australia, when I fell preg with DD I decided I would get another one, so we did, and its the best thing ever, I do have a portable one as well, that I can use where ever in the house if need be

[QTB]

I know it probably sounds a bit fiddly, but for those who are considering not getting one for fear of bubs falling off - don't they come with straps now too?

i dont use the strap on mine. i just never leave him on the change table by himself. everything i need is on the c/t :)

[Butterflies&Hurricanes]

I know it probably sounds a bit fiddly, but for those who are considering not getting one for fear of bubs falling off - don't they come with straps now too?
Hmmm cant say I've seen any with straps (apart from the ones you find in public toilets etc.) Will go have a look....

[k8y]

Along with a baby bath. Waste of money!!

I've seen those cheap little sit up things (no idea what they're called :confused:) in Big W. You prop bubs in it in your normal bath so they're not laying flat in the water and apparently one of DH's friends wives swears by hers so I am going to get one. But I wouldn't waste money on a baby bath either.

[elwoodgal]

Go the Change table !
I have problems with my back & my partner is tall so the Change Table was ideal.
The CT has a safety belt. I changed my girl on the table until she was toilet trained at approx. 2 3/4 years. She never fell off. I found it terrific on my back. Going out & changing her on the floor at other people's homes was hideous as she could get away, wasn't strapped in & would crawl, walk, run away.
Each to there own. I wasn't going to buy one as I thought it was a waste of money but my friend with 2 boys told me they were invalauble & she was right.

elwoodgal

[k8y]

Hmmm cant say I've seen any with straps (apart from the ones you find in public toilets etc.) Will go have a look....

fluffball I've seen them in babies galore. They're probably in other stores too, but I just haven't looked around much yet.

[k8y]

Go the Change table !
I have problems with my back & my partner is tall so the Change Table was ideal.

DH is quite tall so thats good to know, makes my decision firm on buying one now :)

[QTB]

mine has straps - i got it from target :)

[Butterflies&Hurricanes]

OK just looked... so there are ones with straps. I just had the wooden change table that didnt have straps. I still wont get one though... I just dont see the need. Like I said before, some people love them others dont. The only way to find out how you feel about it is to try it.

As for the bath (sorry off topic), we bathed DS in the bathroom sink while he was still tiny! then once he got too big for it, he went into the bath with DH or myself.

[HarvestMoon]

I know it probably sounds a bit fiddly, but for those who are considering not getting one for fear of bubs falling off - don't they come with straps now too?

Yep, mine does. I would say it would be a pretty standard safety feature these days.

[InGi]

thanks for all the replies its good to get an idea on what other people think too. I think ill go with the change table that way i can have everything i need right there and dont have to worry about forgetting to get something when im half way - through being as forgetfull as i am!
Then i suppose if it doesnt work or i dont like it i can always sell it :D

[supermumof3]

i had the chanhge table with ds and i loved it, it saved my back sooo much. mine didnt have straps but as my son is mr adventure i pretty much had to have a hand on him at all times while he was on it and it just became second nature. he never fell off it once, come to think of it its prob the only baby item or peice of furniture i would own that he hasnt fallen off. i also had a few really cheap plastic backed change mats u can get them anywhere and we used those heaps like when out or in the car easy to just throw in the wash mach too

[danielle13]

We never bothered getting a change table 'cos I'm a shorty and they're all a bit high.

We just got a change mat and usually changed her in the cot (still do).
The change mat was a lifesaver when we lived in a 2 storey place - we never went upstairs for ANYTHING during the day and I could just change her down on the floor or on the couch.

I can see how it'd be useful but not for me.

[Milk_Monkey]

We got one with DS and still use it everyday. But i also change him on the couch and on our bed.

I found it really useful in the first few months, and as long as i distract him with a song or a toy he doesnt usually roll around too much. In fact sometimes its trickier on the couch/bed because he has more space to roll around and squirm away.

[Jade's Mum]

I've brought one from target, it comes with straps and matches the cot i brought. I brought it for mainly the height, i think i would find it hard on my back if i had to "bend over" say if i was to change baby on a bed or on the couch. It comes with a change table mat so if i ever want to i can take that out and use it on the floor. Also my nappy bag came with a portable fold up changemat so i can use that if we're out. It's just the right height for me, and ive had a sore hip most of my pregnancy so it'll help with that too. I don't see it becoming a problem for me and bubs and im sure ill get much use out of it.

[our little treasures]

I used mine on occasions but come to think of it it wasn't really needed. I now find changing her and dressing her much easier on my bed!!

[emm11e]

I found a little hint for those not using change tables, one which I am going to adopt!

I read in a pregnancy mag about sewing (or in my case have my mum sew) some small bags with ribbon ties then include a couple of nappies and some wipes and other changing items and leave them in various spots around the house. That way if you need to change the bub's nappy and your not near the bedroom etc you can change the baby with the items that are in the bag. I think that is particularly helpful if you live in a two storey house! Plus from what I saw in the mag they look great!

[DeeJay]

I wasn't going to buy a change table with DD1, but I got it with the cot package. Soooo glad I did. I love it. I still use it and DD is 2.

As for baby bath, I agree, waste of money!

[Mum2Riley]

I had just the matt for a few months whilst we were staying in our unit, waiting for house to settle! OMG, couldn't wait to get the change table. My back was hurting so much as I would put the matt on the bed and change DS there.

Love my change table! it's the perfect height and no more sore back!

[mumofsamuel]

I was given one so will use it for sure. I have had back problems for years so that is the main concern for me. Doesn't help with your question at all but I think I would still want one if I wasn't given it for the same reason.