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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Changing Table Thoughts
KatiesCorner 08:59 AM 10-03-2014
I just started my daycare at the end of August. I've been changing diapers on a foldable changing mat on the floor, next to a little lockable cabinet that holds diapers, extra clothes, wipes, creams, etc. (the mat folds and goes in the cabinet when I'm done) With all my nieces and nephews, we changed them on the floor or a couch, so this seemed natural.
I have since discovered that with my states diapering guidelines, it is harder. I have to wash the child's hand when I am done, so that means I either have to leave to mat on the floor while I do it (which I don't like because my other crawlers want to play with it) or put it away dirty only to come right back and get it out, clean it, go wash my own hands, and wipe down the cabinet handles. All of that to say that I'm looking into other options, namely, a changing table. What do you guys do for diapering?
If I got a changing table, I'm required to have one with a rail. Obviously, my diaper creams and such have to be locked up, so I would need one with at least one drawer I could safety-proof. Or should I get another lock box like I keep my medicine in? I'm supposed to keep one hand in the baby if I use a table (another reason I originally opted for the floor) so I'd need access to anything I need to be something I can do one handed.
Also, I use my living room as the main play space, and the adjoining bedroom for naps. Would you put the table in the main room so you could see the other kiddos while you changed diapers? Or in the nap room so the kids didn't mess with the baskets of clothes and diapers? (If I didn't have one with only drawers) suggestions appreciated because I don't want to spend money on anything that I won't use very long, so I really want to think this through.
I have since discovered that with my states diapering guidelines, it is harder. I have to wash the child's hand when I am done, so that means I either have to leave to mat on the floor while I do it (which I don't like because my other crawlers want to play with it) or put it away dirty only to come right back and get it out, clean it, go wash my own hands, and wipe down the cabinet handles. All of that to say that I'm looking into other options, namely, a changing table. What do you guys do for diapering?
If I got a changing table, I'm required to have one with a rail. Obviously, my diaper creams and such have to be locked up, so I would need one with at least one drawer I could safety-proof. Or should I get another lock box like I keep my medicine in? I'm supposed to keep one hand in the baby if I use a table (another reason I originally opted for the floor) so I'd need access to anything I need to be something I can do one handed.
Also, I use my living room as the main play space, and the adjoining bedroom for naps. Would you put the table in the main room so you could see the other kiddos while you changed diapers? Or in the nap room so the kids didn't mess with the baskets of clothes and diapers? (If I didn't have one with only drawers) suggestions appreciated because I don't want to spend money on anything that I won't use very long, so I really want to think this through.
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:14 AM 10-03-2014
I used to have a changing table but if you have more than 1-2 in diapers it is a PAIN to be lifting up and down up and down up and down. I have 2's in diapers and they are heavy. I just switched to mats on the ground and it is actually easier for me simply because of the lack of lifting involved. I have a diaper bag plastic covered mat per child and it goes in their cubby.
There was someone on here who used their bathtub as a changing table...they built something special on top of it and that was neat! You might search for it.
Here is another thread with options: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showth...changing+table
There was someone on here who used their bathtub as a changing table...they built something special on top of it and that was neat! You might search for it.
Here is another thread with options: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showth...changing+table
Annalee 11:17 AM 10-03-2014
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I used to have a changing table but if you have more than 1-2 in diapers it is a PAIN to be lifting up and down up and down up and down. I have 2's in diapers and they are heavy. I just switched to mats on the ground and it is actually easier for me simply because of the lack of lifting involved. I have a diaper bag plastic covered mat per child and it goes in their cubby.
There was someone on here who used their bathtub as a changing table...they built something special on top of it and that was neat! You might search for it.
Here is another thread with options: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showth...changing+table
Some changing tables have steps attached. I don't have one, but I have seen them in catalogs! I used to have a changing table but if you have more than 1-2 in diapers it is a PAIN to be lifting up and down up and down up and down. I have 2's in diapers and they are heavy. I just switched to mats on the ground and it is actually easier for me simply because of the lack of lifting involved. I have a diaper bag plastic covered mat per child and it goes in their cubby.
There was someone on here who used their bathtub as a changing table...they built something special on top of it and that was neat! You might search for it.
Here is another thread with options: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showth...changing+table
KSDC 12:43 PM 10-03-2014
I have my changing table in our main play area. My sweet husband installed a long shelf for me above the changing table. It is big enough for ALL the diapers, wipes, spare clothes, lotions/powders.
I like that it right where the other munchkins are playing. And, I am just around the corner from the bathroom, so easy access for hand washing afterwards.
I like that it right where the other munchkins are playing. And, I am just around the corner from the bathroom, so easy access for hand washing afterwards.
KSDC 12:46 PM 10-03-2014
Another thought - A friend of mine used to do daycare. She had a small closet in her bathroom. She set up a changing station in that closet! It was awesome with drawers underneath the changing table and shelves above. All flush with the door. Then, when she was done, she could close and lock the door to keep munchkins from getting into things they shouldn't.
craftymissbeth 12:59 PM 10-03-2014
Originally Posted by KSDC:
Another thought - A friend of mine used to do daycare. She had a small closet in her bathroom. She set up a changing station in that closet! It was awesome with drawers underneath the changing table and shelves above. All flush with the door. Then, when she was done, she could close and lock the door to keep munchkins from getting into things they shouldn't.
My changing table is in a closet just off of the bathroom. Its nothing impressive at all, but I'll try to take a picture later on.Another thought - A friend of mine used to do daycare. She had a small closet in her bathroom. She set up a changing station in that closet! It was awesome with drawers underneath the changing table and shelves above. All flush with the door. Then, when she was done, she could close and lock the door to keep munchkins from getting into things they shouldn't.
Crazy8 01:10 PM 10-03-2014
I have a regular changing table, couldn't imagine not having one. I rather lift a child then get down on the floor and bend over them changing them. I have a shelf above with supplies and 2 diaper organizers on the wall to hold a handful of diapers for each child. We don't have any regulations on things being locked up, just out of reach so the shelf works.
KatiesCorner 06:16 AM 10-09-2014
Thanks for your thoughts, everyone. And for the link Entropy, I thought I had searched the forum but I guess I did a tag search, which was less helpful.
The hand washing part means I have to lift them either way, which I didn't fully think about before hand. So lifting them to the table, then carrying them to the sink will probably turn out to be just as easy as what I've been doing. Luckily I did notice that my regs say a changing table needs a railing, OR safety straps, not both. So the dresser/changing table combos could work, and then I could keep things in drawers. I originally thought it had to have a railing, and few of the combos do since they are made to just be a dresser eventually.
The hand washing part means I have to lift them either way, which I didn't fully think about before hand. So lifting them to the table, then carrying them to the sink will probably turn out to be just as easy as what I've been doing. Luckily I did notice that my regs say a changing table needs a railing, OR safety straps, not both. So the dresser/changing table combos could work, and then I could keep things in drawers. I originally thought it had to have a railing, and few of the combos do since they are made to just be a dresser eventually.