So far, we’ve posted mostly big stuff with heady topics (more of that coming!). We want to use this for smaller posts too, like advice on products or must-have baby gear.
In the vein, do we need a full-blown changing table, especially for the 1-to-2-year-old we’ll be bringing home? We were at Buy Buy Baby last night, and several changing tables just looked like a surface with a changing pad affixed to me. What about a 2×4 Expedit from IKEA? I mean, we have three already.
At that age, I’d say floor is the way to go. If you want, get a changing pad and put it on the floor to cushion a little. But changing table is unnecessary, imo, esp. if you get the kind that is obviously a changing table and not also a dresser, or something.
I think I’m convinced on not getting a dedicated changing table. Such a thing offers little enough long-term use, and little enough unique utility that I think we can safely skip it. I’ll look into changing pads, though.
I’ll let you know in about 6 months – ha!
Really though, Will is starting to grow out of his a bit and he’s not even a year. My initial thought is that you wouldn’t need one at the age that you’re aniticipating. Though, if your plan is change him/her on the floor, that could start to wear on your back a bit, so you might want to think about that too.
What we’ve done is use a low dresser (about waist height, we use this – http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30180542/#/90159571) that you then put something like this (http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?SKU=15039531&RN=7002&😉 on. We used the floor for our older son when the baby came and was using the only changing pad we had, and it’s not easy on your back/knees/etc. Even if the child you adopt is two when they come home with you, you’re still looking at probably a year of diapers if it’s a boy, possibly less if it’s a girl. I know I wouldn’t want to do floor diaper changes for a year, let alone longer.
I agree with Nikki: the floor is the way to go.
Never thought I’d be typing blog comments on toddler diaper changing practices. 🙂
We opted to skip the changing table and change our little guy on the floor using thin changing pads (like this: http://www.amazon.com/Kushies-Deluxe-Flannel-Change-Bubbles/dp/B00568MOOG/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1344911289&sr=8-14&keywords=changing+pad) or even towels. I know every child is different but I discovered that our son is terrified of being changed on a high table while we were en route from Russia.