Modern changing tables are multifunctional and easy to use. They can serve as both a full-fledged place to store accessories and things for a newborn, and the main decorative accent in a children's room. But their main purpose is comfortable care for the baby. Changing tables are in demand precisely because of their functionality, reliability, attractive appearance, safety and undoubted convenience when changing a child.
Leading furniture manufacturers adhere to certain standards in the manufacture of changing chests of drawers, tables and cabinets. The main dimensions used are designed for maximum comfort of mother and child, overall ergonomics of the product, reliability, integrity, and durability of the structure.
Basic size range: height – 850 mm, depth – 550 mm, width – 750 mm. Further, the dimensions change in increments of 50 mm, both up and down. When purchasing a changing table for a newborn, you need to take into account the proportionality of the model (the stability of the overall structure depends on this) and the height of the person caring for the child.
Many factories produce non-standard models for swaddling in order to please the buyer as accurately as possible.
Why do you need a changing pad?
Before the baby is born, it seems to parents that there is no special need for this piece of furniture. And only with the arrival of the baby do they begin to understand all the advantages of a changing place:
- relieves mommy's back: it is much easier to care for the baby when he is at the level of your chest than to stand bent over the bed. Your spine will already face a difficult test when the baby begins to ask to be held;
- a children's changing table is a place for hygiene, massage, hardening, and storage of things;
- This is the baby’s personal space, which can be processed without fear for his health.
Bathroom diaper
Those parents who can boast of a large bathroom place a changing station there. To do this, you can use a folding or stationary table made of moisture-resistant materials, or purchase a multifunctional model - a changing table with a bath.
Changing table with bath photo
Changing table with bath
Thanks to this model, you don’t have to take your baby to another room after bathing and change him there; all procedures can be done right in the bathroom. The changing pad and bathtub are located at a convenient height, so that the mother will not get tired while bathing and changing the baby. In addition, the bath can be equipped with a convenient hose for draining the water; the main thing is to place the table near the plumbing fixtures.
Agree, having a changing station in the bathroom is very convenient - immediately after bathing, you can change the baby’s clothes, without a sudden change in temperature, which the baby won’t really like. If you appreciate the convenience of caring for your baby, but there is simply no space in the bathroom, then get a changing board that can be installed, for example, on a washing machine.
Changing table photo
There are also models with a diaper and a bathtub that are installed directly on an adult bathtub. But they are not very popular in our country, so they cannot be found in stores, but today it is possible to buy goods with delivery from any country - use it if you really need it.
Bath changing table
Types of changing pads
There are a huge number of furniture designs for kids. They differ in the method of fastening and, what is especially valuable, in the presence of additional storage space.
Construction methods
The assembly principle of different models of changing tables is different.
Folding wall
The changing table, which is mounted on the wall, is almost invisible when folded. Due to the lack of support, it is necessary to make some efforts to create a stable structure.
This is necessary so that it can withstand a weight of up to 10 kg. The hinged lid of the product must be installed on gas lifts, which will allow it not to close spontaneously. It would be nice to build several shelves in the wall part of the diaper changer. In this way, you can not only organize a storage system, but also provide additional stability to the base.
Suspension
The design of a hanging changing table is made of a board, sides and supporting corners. All these elements must be cut out of chipboard and connected using self-tapping screws. For better fixation, it is better to fill the holes for the screws with glue.
Portable
A portable changing board is good for its mobility. To make it you will need chipboard sheets, an electric jigsaw, self-tapping screws, a primer and paints and varnishes.
The base of the product consists of a board, the length of which is 90-100 cm, and the width is 60 cm. The sides have a length equal to the length of the board, and their height should not exceed 10 cm. You can build an additional side at the head of the structure. Its length in this case should be 60 cm.
The parts are connected with screws or self-tapping screws, and at the end of the work the entire table is primed and painted.
Soft
A soft table can be made from a foam rubber cushion 3-4 cm thick. The top should be covered with a waterproof material, for example, a diaper. Separately for the product it is necessary to sew a cover made of natural fabric, which will have a zipper on the side.
Dresser
To assemble this type of structure, it is advisable to have professional carpentry skills. It is imperative to use detailed drawings indicating all measurements.
Chipboard boards should be cut as carefully as possible. In addition to the boards that come with the kit, you need to check the presence of guides for rolling out drawers, handles, legs, corners, self-tapping screws and self-tapping screws. Tools you will need are a screwdriver, an electric drill, a measuring tape and drills.
The assembly process is quite complex, so it is important to strictly adhere to the drawings and do everything consistently
Whatever model of changing table is chosen, you need to sensibly assess your own capabilities. A little patience and free time, and an individual diaper for newborns is ready.
For more information on how to make a changing table, watch the video below.
Classic table
The classic table resembles a bookcase and takes up quite a lot of space. Clinics are equipped with such furniture. It is stationary, which is not very convenient for use at home.
As an alternative, manufacturers offer a folding changing table. Due to its portability, it can be used anywhere, even in the bathroom. The disadvantage of this design will be the lack of storage space.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the changing table depend on the modification of the product. If the product has legs, then the height should be between 95-105 cm.
The length of the changing board for a child up to six months must be at least 67 cm. From six months and older, within one meter.
The height of the fence or sides must be at least 15.5 cm.Making a changing table yourself
To make furniture you will need sheets of wood, chipboard or MDF. Also prepare the following tools: jigsaw, grinder, fasteners, sandpaper, tape measure, screwdriver, furniture corners.
Requirements
Since it is planned to place the chest of drawers in the children's room, and the newborn baby will constantly lie on it, the furniture must meet important requirements. These include:
- safety - the product can be equipped with one or more shelves, but there should be no sharp corners, glass or mirrors. The material for the production of the structure must be environmentally friendly, therefore it is not allowed to contain hazardous substances or formaldehydes in the composition;
- hygiene - all surfaces must be easy to clean, so cleaning them from various contaminants should not be difficult. If there are covers on various devices, they should be removable and easily washable;
- ease of use - certain models may have many unique elements on the top, and they should be easy to unfold or assemble;
- dimensions - they must be optimal for comfortable use of the chest of drawers for its intended purpose. Therefore, it is not recommended to buy designs that are too narrow, since there is a high probability that it will not be comfortable to care for the child;
- style - although the child is still too small to understand the appearance of interior items, parents should take care of creating a comfortable and pleasant environment. The appearance and colors of the products should be optimal for a children's room.
When choosing a product, many important factors are taken into account. From a chest of drawers with various additional elements, you can get a multifunctional item that is highly durable, hygienic and attractive.
Folding wall table
The furniture saves a lot of space, but is a little more difficult to manufacture. The main criterion for installation is the strength of the walls: it must be made of brick or concrete. To connect the frame with the hinged lid you will need gas lift fasteners.
The design consists of: a frame and a back cover, shelves and a changing area. All parts are cut from MDF sheets or wood. The corners are rounded with a grinding machine, the side cuts are covered with end tape. The assembled frame is connected to the diaper changer using furniture hinges and a gas lift mount is installed.
Which manufacturers can you trust?
IKEA
Features: natural materials, open shelves, pleasant color palette, universal sizes. IKEA offers hanging fabric organizers, comfortable mattresses with protective sides and a folding top cover for changing chests, tables and shelves.
You will find an overview of the range of children's high chairs in this material.
ATON
Furniture from Aton is mainly aimed at children's themes. Film facades made of MDF with relief images of cartoon animals, rounded ends, a sliding top shelf, smooth lines and an aesthetically attractive color scheme are the main aspects in the design of changing chests and tables for newborns.
CHICCO
The main advantages of Chicco changing tables are their mobility. Tables for newborns are usually folding, equipped with a small ergonomic bath, several textile or plastic shelves, wheels with locks and a bulky mattress.
PAPALONI
Papaloni changing chests have a sophisticated, elegant design. They are made of baby-safe materials, equipped with a large number of drawers and high crossbars for the safety of the baby.
ANTEL
The most popular models of changing chests from Antel are “Ulyana” and “Mishka”. All changing tables are of standard sizes, parts are interchangeable, the fittings are high-quality and wear-resistant, designed for a long period of use. Some models are equipped with wheels. You can assemble furniture factory products yourself using the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
COSATTO
Lightweight structures, mainly made of durable polymer material. A distinctive feature is the presence of a bathtub in the dressing table. Most designs feature open shelves, textile upholstery, pockets for storing baby accessories and a mattress with raised edges.
Photos of changing tables
Advantages
A small child has to change clothes at least several times a day. A newborn’s diaper is often changed, changed after and before bedtime, and changed clothes before going outside. In general, this turns out to be at least 5 changes per day. Women after childbirth often complain of back pain, so it is very difficult for them to bend over the sofa every time.
With the help of a changing table, the process of changing your baby will become much easier.
The changing table is also very convenient for performing gymnastics and massage for the baby. It is a hard and smooth surface that is considered ideal for carrying out these procedures. In addition, in the first months of a child’s life, when the doctor often comes home to conduct an examination, such a table will also be very useful.
From a safety point of view, a changing table occupies a more advantageous position than a regular sofa. Typically, a diaper changer requires shelves and drawers where you can store diapers and cosmetics for a newborn. Thus, when changing the baby’s clothes, everything necessary is immediately at hand for the mother. Even when the baby can roll over and crawl on his own, the mother will always be there to hold him with her hand.
Changing chests will help the mother until the baby reaches the age of 1 year.
Decoration
There are several ways to decorate. Most often, the product is coated with varnish or paint.
The size of the table can be visually reduced thanks to dark colors. You can also decorate the chest of drawers with multi-colored material.
The back wall does not need decoration. It simply won't be noticeable. Decorating the chest of drawers will increase its service life. The color of the fabric can be selected to match the wallpaper.
Manufacturing process
Having prepared all the materials and tools, you can begin manufacturing. First you need to draw a sketch of the future structure. To do this you will need a sheet of paper and a simple pencil.
To build a changing chest with your own hands, drawings and diagrams for which can be found on the Internet, should take into account the height of the parents. You should be comfortable using the product while changing diapers.
Before assembling a chest of drawers with a changing table, you need to finally decide on the location of its installation. This is required in order to adjust the size of the chest of drawers.
Work order.
- Manufacturing of parts.
- Product assembly.
- Decoration of the building.
Having figured out how to assemble a chest of drawers with a changing table, you can begin making the elements.
- First of all, you need to focus on the sides, cutting them out using a jigsaw. These parts have a rounded shape.
- Then you need to make strong side panels. Making such details is quite simple. To do this, you will need wooden blanks with marked markings.
- Afterwards, pieces of any soft material should be secured to the sides. Ordinary foam rubber is best suited. The easiest way to secure the material to the sides is to use glue. The front and back of the side drawers can be made of less durable material.
- The changing table, which is small in size, can be assembled within a few hours. Folding shelves can be purchased at the mall so as not to waste time making them.
The back wall of the chest of drawers should be slightly higher than the sides. Thus, it will act as a stiffener. The selected mattress for the child should fit into the distance between the parts. At the final stage of work, you need to make notes at the place where the parts are attached.
The strength of the structure will depend on how high-quality fittings you choose. The fasteners will allow you to assemble the table like a simple construction set. You can use furniture handles for drawers. Intersectional ties for parts will add reliability to the structure.
From the outside, the fastenings will be almost invisible. The back wall is fixed with self-tapping screws. Hats can be covered with decorative caps. The dresser parts should not wobble after assembly is completed.
