April 2007
Features to consider Changing tables and dressers
Safety strap. The changing table you're considering should have a pad that affixes to the table and a safety strap. Changing pads are also sold separately, but use a pad in a size the changing table manufacturer recommends.
Sturdiness. A changing table or dresser shouldn't wobble when you give it a light shake. Test the floor model in the store, if possible.
Wheels. Some tables come on wheels and are designed to be moved from room to room. If you buy a table with wheels, make sure it has brakes that lock so you can keep the table stable when you park it.
Diaper direction. On most changing tables, you have to change your baby from the side. But on a few, such as the Natural Diaper Corner Baby Changing Table by Badger Basket, $135, (www.badgerbasket.com), which features a contoured pad, you can change your baby from head to toe, which some parents find a more comfortable position.
Wood. Depending on how much you'll use a changing table, you may want one with a good pedigree. Pricier changing tables tend to be sturdy and constructed from solid birch, beech, and maple rather than particleboard with a wood finish. If this is your first baby, and you plan a larger family, it may make sense to pay more. It's also worth spending a little more if you plan to convert the changing table into a media center, bookcase, or desk (an option with the Stokke Collection, www.stokke.com). In any event, look for wood surfaces that are smooth and splinter-free.
Height. As we mentioned, changing tables vary in height. Some are as low as 36 inches; others as high as 43 inches. If you're tall, go with a taller table or dresser and secure it to the wall to reduce the risk of tipping. If you're short, aim lower.
Safety strap. The changing table you're considering should have a pad that affixes to the table and a safety strap. Changing pads are also sold separately, but use a pad in a size the changing table manufacturer recommends.
Sturdiness. A changing table or dresser shouldn't wobble when you give it a light shake. Test the floor model in the store, if possible.
Wheels. Some tables come on wheels and are designed to be moved from room to room. If you buy a table with wheels, make sure it has brakes that lock so you can keep the table stable when you park it.
Diaper direction. On most changing tables, you have to change your baby from the side. But on a few, such as the Natural Diaper Corner Baby Changing Table by Badger Basket, $135, (www.badgerbasket.com), which features a contoured pad, you can change your baby from head to toe, which some parents find a more comfortable position.
Wood. Depending on how much you'll use a changing table, you may want one with a good pedigree. Pricier changing tables tend to be sturdy and constructed from solid birch, beech, and maple rather than particleboard with a wood finish. If this is your first baby, and you plan a larger family, it may make sense to pay more. It's also worth spending a little more if you plan to convert the changing table into a media center, bookcase, or desk (an option with the Stokke Collection, www.stokke.com). In any event, look for wood surfaces that are smooth and splinter-free.
Height. As we mentioned, changing tables vary in height. Some are as low as 36 inches; others as high as 43 inches. If you're tall, go with a taller table or dresser and secure it to the wall to reduce the risk of tipping. If you're short, aim lower.
