How to set up your changing table
A changing table is one of the places where you will spend a surprising amount of time in the early days with baby.
Here you change nappies, wipe up spit-up, find clean bodysuits, sing little songs, comfort, apply cream, clean up and perhaps also practise tummy time and give baby massage.
That is why it makes good sense to think a little about how the changing area should be set up. And it is also cosy to prepare the changing area as the due date draws closer.
The most important thing about the changing table is that it works in everyday life. That it is safe, easy to see and easy to use, even when baby is restless, the nappy is full and you only have one hand free.
Here is our best advice on how to set up a changing table that is practical, calm and pleasant to use for mum, dad and baby alike.
Choose a secure and stable changing spot
The first and most important thing is that the changing spot is stable.
Whether you use an actual changing table, a chest of drawers with a changing mat, a changing mat in the bathroom or another solution is not the deciding factor. What matters is that baby lies safely and comfortably, and that you have enough room to change a nappy without having to balance cloths, nappies and a restless baby all at once.
Many choose to put the changing table in the bathroom, because there is access to water. Others have it in the nursery or the bedroom, because it fits better into everyday life. If there is already an older brother or sister who also needs to be kept an eye on, it can be practical to think about not having to go too far away from them when baby is being changed. Older siblings can get up to an unbelievable amount of mischief in a very short time.
There is no single right solution. The best changing spot is the one you will actually use, and can use with peace of mind.
Keep the essentials within reach
When baby is lying on the changing table, you should ideally be able to reach the most important things without having to turn away.
That includes:
- nappies
- flannels
- muslin cloths
- nappy bags or a bin
- a clean bodysuit or a change of clothes
- cream or ointment
- a towel
- possibly a dummy, teething ring or another little item that can keep baby occupied.
It may sound trivial, but it makes a big difference. Especially when baby gets bigger and more active.
A good rule of thumb is: if you use it almost every day, it should be within arm's reach.
Think in small zones
A changing table quickly gets messy if everything just lies in one drawer or one big basket.
It can therefore help to think in small zones.
A zone for nappies.
A zone for cloths and muslins.
A zone for care products.
A zone for spare clothes.
A zone for rubbish or laundry.
It doesn't have to be advanced. Small baskets, drawers, containers or fabric bags can be enough. The point is simply that things have a fixed place, so you don't have to spend time searching.
And yes, there will be days when it all goes to pieces anyway. That is completely normal. The system doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to make it a little easier to find your way back to order again.
There are many lovely solutions for organising the changing area. Fabric bags, baskets and boxes in beautiful colours that make you happy are a good choice. You will be spending many hours here. A good idea is to choose materials that can be washed thoroughly. For example, boxes and baskets that can be washed thoroughly with water and soap, or textiles that can withstand a trip through the washing machine.
Make room for extra clothes
You might think you just need to change a nappy.
And sometimes that is all that needs to happen.
But at other times you discover that the bodysuit needs changing too. And the trousers. And the socks. And perhaps the cover on the changing mat. And perhaps your own top too, if it has been one of those really good days!
That is why it is a good idea to have a little extra clothing close to the changing table.
A couple of bodysuits, socks, trousers and perhaps a sleepsuit can be nice to have lying ready, so that you don't have to leave the changing area to find them.
Especially in the first months it can save both time and patience.
Choose soft and practical textiles
Textiles matter a lot in a changing area.
A good changing mat should be nice for baby to lie on, but also easy to wipe clean. Consider having a small towel lying on the changing mat as a base. It is nice for baby to lie on and doesn't feel cold on bare skin. It is also practical to swap it for a fresh one and throw it in the washing machine when needed.
In addition, muslin cloths are absolutely indispensable, and you can hardly have too many.
Do choose textiles that can be washed again and again. It sounds incredibly practical, but washability is one of the most underrated things when you are in the middle of baby life.
It is welcome to look nice. But it also has to be able to cope with everyday life.
Create calm with the right light
The light at the changing table should be practical, but it doesn't have to be harsh.
During the day, natural light is lovely if the changing area is somewhere that makes it possible. In the evening and at night, a softer light can be a great help, so that baby doesn't become too wide awake during a nappy change.
A little lamp with dimmed light can make night-time nappy changes calmer. Red light is the very best if you want to avoid baby – and yourself – becoming too wide awake. Om
Have something simple for baby to look at
When baby gets a little bigger, it can be nice to have something at the changing area that catches their attention.
It could be a little mobile, a picture, a single mirror, a contrast figure or a little item that is only used at the changing table.
Make sure you also have a spare dummy to hand, for the times when baby is tired, upset or has perhaps thrown it far away.
Remember rubbish and laundry
It is not the most exciting part of the changing table, but it is one of the things you are glad to have sorted.
Have a solution for used nappies close by. It could be a nappy bin, an ordinary bin or nappy bags, depending on what works for you.
The same goes for clothes and muslin cloths that need washing. A small laundry basket or bag nearby makes it easier to keep the changing area reasonably tidy.
Safety first
The most important thing about the changing table is safety.
Baby must never lie alone on the changing table, not even for a moment. Even very small babies can move more than you think, and suddenly the first turn or roll comes without warning.
Always keep a hand on baby, and make sure everything you need is within reach before you start.
If you are missing something, take baby with you.
It may sound a little fussy, but it quickly becomes a habit. And it is one of those habits worth holding on to.
Much more than nappy changes
The changing area is primarily a practical place, but many actually find that it is also a good station for, for example, tummy time or baby massage.
If you put a mirror on the wall behind the changing mat, it suddenly becomes a brilliant place for baby to lie on their tummy and explore their own reflection.
The changing area is also a lovely place to give your baby a massage, for example as part of the evening bedtime ritual, because it is a good working height for you, and because baby is used to “this is where we lie”.
I wish you lots of fun setting up your changing area, and hope you get many cosy hours here.
With love,
Sara
