Comments on: Early Nursery Ideas

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:10:27 +0000

I think Julie Ann’s comment made the most sense. You do need to consider who will be changing the diapers. And I do think you need a designated changing area, whatever form it may take; you will be changing diapers for many years.

I recently helped out with my nephew and was surprised there was no changing table or designated area. I found it a bit disgusting to be changing a diaper on the sofa or on a bed with only a thin plastic/paper pad for protection – especially for a boy; additionally it was rough on my back. Plus, not everything I needed was at arm’s length; it had to be carted into place, while chasing a toddler. I found the lack of organization for routine baby activities to be apalling. They have had to clean all their bedding more than once when there is an accident. They could have saved precious hours and avoided the mess, simply by having a designated changing area.

I never purchased a changing table for my 2 kids, yet I always had a designated changing area. For my first I used a built in vanity in the bathroom. I simply put a foam changing pad with a pretty cover on the counter and stored all my equipment in the drawers. The biggest benefit was the wall of mirror over the changing area/vanity. Babies love looking at themselves and it completely distracts them during a change. Diaper changes were always easy when there was cute baby to look at in the mirror.

For my second child we had moved and I used an antique dresser for a changing table. I used a foam pad again and sewed a few stretch terrycloth covers to coordinate with the room decor. These can be easily washed. I also sewed a diaper stacker which I hung on a nearby peg rack. Everything was where I could keep one hand on the baby and grab what I needed – including clothes in the drawers. Knowing how successful a mirror can be, of course I hung a mirror right over the dresser!

A changing table can later be used for toys and a low dresser will always be useful in just about any room. Find what you need on Craig’s list or at Target. For me a designated changing area was a neccesity.

By: Anna

Anna — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:27:03 +0000

That change table is beautiful, and I think it would look great in a bright colour.
We have a 3 month old and use her change table all the time, and we love the storage and the look of it too. We have her toys on top of her dresser, so we were happy to have the extra space.

By: Livi

Livi — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:16:19 +0000

I had that same Jenny Lind changing table (and crib). It was passed down from my sister who bought it at JcPenny for her kids are now 18 and 16 (mine are now 7 and 10) – and was still going strong, when I gave it away.

I recommend getting a changing table – and you cannot beat the storage space for diapers, wipes and pj’s – everything is easy to grab one handed (one hand on baby) b/c the shelves are open.

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:59:14 +0000

You don’t need a changing table at all. Put the stuff on the floor in several rooms so there’s always something handy to change. After they can roll over, a changing table is an exercise in terror IMHO.

But, if you feel you must, go with Molly’s suggestion. Spend the money on something you can use for a long time.

By: Molly M.

Molly M. — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:12:42 +0000

Nicole,

Congrats on your pregnancy. I hope you are feeling well.

I really enjoy reading your blog and have gotten a lot of great ideas from it.

As a mother of two, if I may be so bold as to turn the tables and offer a few suggestions for the baby’s room. If you like what Land of Nod has to offer, they have an outlet store in Northbrook. It is well worth the trek from Oak Park. We found dresser we liked online for $400, and I found a slightly nicked version of it at the outlet for $100.

Also, with regard to the changing table. You really only need one for the the first two-three year. I would suggest investing in a nice dresser and securing a temporary changing pad to the top of it. Land of Nod has this option. It offers better storage, you don’t have to worry so much about keeping it neat b/c everything is hidden in the drawers, and you will get more use out of it in the long-run.

Best wishes and continued good health.

Molly

By: themostfantastic

themostfantastic — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:42:08 +0000

the land of nod and target both carry the same jenny lind crib and changing table by the same designer. i think they are both by the company da vinci. i found this out by reading Baby Bargains. target often has free shipping and 15% off of furniture. hope this helps!

By: patricia

patricia — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:19:01 +0000

please beg or borrow and get a crib for a steal, it is used only for 2 years and afterwards, you want to burn it like you will want to burn all your maternity clothes. take it from a mom of 3, those years are fleeting and soon college is staring you right smack in the face! so find a crib for nothing.. and wave that making it lovely magic! (wand)

By: patricia

patricia — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:16:42 +0000

I hope you paint that silver….it would look awesome.
New meaning to “born with a silver spoon, I mean chest!”

By: daisy mae

daisy mae — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:38:51 +0000

We had a bad shipping experience with Target. The crib was $150 and the shipping was $115 which was not mentioned ONE time during the online buying. My MIL only discovered how much it was after checking her bank balance and noticing the charge.
I would definitely go with one you can test out in person. The first changing table we got was really flimsy on top. They all are, but some are worse than others. I wanted mine to last as a bookcase or shelving once the diapering was over.

By: Monica

Monica — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:42:15 +0000

First, congratulations to you and your husband!! Second, you’re style is amazing.
As a mother of 4, I do agree that changing tables are useless at some point, I did the changing diapers (for7 years in a row) mostly downstairs, w/a changing pad on top of a sofa table, and on the bed when upstairs. If you have space in the nursery for the changing table, may be is a good idea to get a low dresser or a low bookshelf that fits the same space and just use a changing-pad on top. Dressers and bookshelf are always useful and easier to blend with any decorating style. Actually, since you already have a nice tall dresser, a bookshelf of the right height (and for the open factor, not to overpower the room with drawers everywhere) might be a better option and useful, use the shelves for diapers and changing supplies, and for books after, because when kids discover the world of books, they pile up quickly.
But if you opt for a regular looking changing table, try to get a second-hand or the one from Target, you’ll definitely won’t want to spend a great deal of money in something you most likely will get rid of at some point in the future.
Also, get as much sleep as you can now, seriuosly! sleep, sleep, sleep; and enjoy every minute of the pregnancy, because as cliche as it is, time does fly.