Build a Diaper Basket
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I’ve never really been one to use a changing table for changing baby’s diaper. Oh, we had a makeshift changing table for the first child or two. But, in reality, once they grew beyond the newborn phase, we took to changing them on the floor, usually on a blanket or portable changing pad. It was just so much more comfortable to sit with them on the floor to take care of business.
Quite honestly, I’m surprised I’m sharing this with the world.
Is this taboo? I’m not really sure.
I bought an honest to goodness changing table at a garage sale when FishChick was born because I felt like that was what you were supposed to do. But, other than store baby supplies, it didn’t really serve its purpose. I didn’t use it once she was a tad bit mobile.
Instead, I have diaper baskets. One upstairs and one downstairs. And in the house where I bathed the kids in the master bathroom, I kept a basket in our room, too. The Diaper Basket is what works for us.
What works for YOU?
Our diaper changing supplies are in the linen closet on a shelf, out of reach of little hands. We have always changed them on the floor. With our first, we had no extra room or money. We just use a plastic mat underneath to protect the floor. Even if we used cloth, I couldn’t imagine using a changing table anymore. Oh – neither of our parents ever used one. Maybe that influenced us?
We actually use our changing table more now than we did when our daughter was smaller (she’s 20 months now). Birth to six months we changed her wherever, although we had a playpen with a built in changing table in the living room and that was perfect. After six months or so (when she started taking her naps upstairs in her crib) we used the changing table all the time. It’s in the bathroom, which works a heck of a lot better for me than being in her bedroom. And, I’ve found when she’s on the changing table she knows what we’re doing and she (generally) won’t try to wriggle away. If I try to change her on the floor…forget about it. She’ll be running off with her diaper half off, missing shoes, and her pants around her ankles. Luckily, we got a really good deal on it, and it’s pretty – so my plan is to use it as a regular bathroom shelf once she’s all potty trained.
We had friends who used a desk and the grandfather built a removable changing table top for it. My husband built a simple and inexpensive shelf and added a removable changing top that is deep, with higher sides. The shelf is tall so it does not hurt my back to bend over (but shorter people have had to stand tiptoe) and wide so there is room past the changing pad for other essentials and toddler feet. He also cut out holes to run straps from the changing pad to help secure it down. I picked out baskets before he built it and my husband designed the shelves to accommodate those. We have used the shelves to store diapers, blankets, burp cloths, toys, etc. It becomes a great toy/book shelf as the child grows and the changing top can be removed, extending the life. We enjoyed this so much that my husband built and painted another removable changing top to match a chest of drawers we got since our second child was born when the first was only 16-months old and they were able to have separate rooms. Now the original shelf/changer is in baby #3’s room and the drawers are sans changer in the big boys’ room.
That’s what we do at our house it’s more convenient than running to a table to change a diaper.
I used to do this in our old house and really should do it here….especially with diapering two here in a few months!
I do the same thing, I have a diaper basket upstairs and downstairs. Both have diapers, wipes, a towel to lay on and diaper cream. Quick and easy!
We’ve always used the floor to change our boys. Even in our tiny apartment with our first baby, we kept a bin of diapers and supplies under an end table. There wasn’t room for a changing table there. Since then we are living in our 2nd two story house. We change our youngest on the floor in his room. The bottom drawer of the dresser holds a rolled up towel and all the diaper supplies. I probably wouldn’t know what to do with a changing table now at all! : ) I thought it was weird that we did it this way, but reading through the comments it looks like NOTHING is weird!
We use the ‘diaper basket’ method as well and have for years! I am still using the ‘western themed’ lined basket made for our four year old boy, but now it houses the two younger girls’ diapers and wipes. Ours is in the living room…or the crossroads to our home.
Blessings ~
We used the changing table when they were little. Now we use the floor, or the patio, or the back of the car…wherever we’re at!
I also keep a diaper basket in the car at all times with diapers, wipes and a change of clothes. That way we don’t have to take a bag with us when we go somewhere.