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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Changing Table vs. Changing Pad
Provider_Manda 06:14 PM 05-31-2012
What do you have, and what do you prefer ? I have a wooden changing table that we have had since my son was born..he is 2 now. And I use it all the time, most of my dck are in diapers..But I have noticed here lately we are having a issue with climbing and an issue with space. I have one room with toys/cubby/books and changing table. I am sick of the clutter, but now it is becoming a safety issue.

I have read where some use just the pad on the floor...How does your parents feel about that ? I have some parents that will use my changing table, and I wonder what they will think if I get rid of it..I just need idea's I have nowhere else to put it..and now with the climbing issue, I don't want anyone, including my own son to get hurt...Please help !!!
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mema 06:23 PM 05-31-2012
I just use a pad on the floor. It's easier than having to lift the older ones up.
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Kym2098 06:24 PM 05-31-2012
I have no room for a changing table myself, I'm lucky I still own my daughters pack n play that has the attached changing table that flips out. Very handy!
If it weren't for that it would be a pad on the floor.
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quailsgarden 06:29 PM 05-31-2012
I found the change table took up too much space. I sold mine and kept the pad. Now I use it on the floor. Much easier for sure.
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Provider_Manda 06:33 PM 05-31-2012
So where do you store you pads ?
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DCBlessings27 06:34 PM 05-31-2012
I've always just used the pad on the floor. I just have the travel kind I fold up after I sanitize it. I can keep it stored away without any problems. My parents are aware that I use a changing pad and have never had issues with it.
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WImom 06:41 PM 05-31-2012
I use a pad. Each child (I only have two right now not fully potty trained) has their own pad and it folds up into their bin of diapers, wipes. I will lay it out on top of their bin to dry. (Which is stored up high)
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spud912 06:52 PM 05-31-2012
I have a large pad that can handle everyday use and cleaning. My "changing table" is the extra counter space in my bathroom where the pad is placed. It fits perfectly between the wall and the sink. It sometimes gets a little cramped with the bigger kids, but they all seem to fit fine. The diapers are stored in storage drawers under the sink. When I have guests over on the weekends, I store the pad in the bottom compartment of my linen cabinet (also in the same bathroom).

I have this pad:

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mema 06:56 PM 05-31-2012
Originally Posted by Provider_Manda:
So where do you store you pads ?
I also just have the travel one that comes with the diaper bag. I just store them with the diapers.
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wdmmom 07:50 PM 05-31-2012
Pad on the floor! The table I had wasn't stable enough to hold onto some of the chunkers I took care of. I also had one that liked to roll. I determined it much easier to get a kinder mat and change them on the floor. It saves me the hee-ing and ho-ing of getting them up to a table and the liability of a fall or roll is eliminated.
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countrymom 06:48 AM 06-01-2012
I change on the floor too. So much easier and quicker. Now the only thing I did notice is that my pants seem to wear a bit more on the knees.
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Creek 07:01 AM 06-01-2012
When I first started and all my kids including my own were in diapers I had a change table in the play room. As the kids got bigger, and out of diapers, the change table went out. Now that I have more kids with diapers, we change on the floor.
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sharlan 08:02 AM 06-01-2012
I use receiving blankets on the floor.
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MyAngels 09:05 AM 06-01-2012
I use a folding pad on the loveseat in my family room. It's nice and big for coverage, but folds up for storage, plus it saves my knees from too much wear and tear getting down on the floor .
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Unregistered 10:34 AM 06-01-2012
I use a changing table that is a dresser drawer changer combo. My husband put a counter top on top of it and it is a great changing area now. I love it. Works great for me. I have a pad on top of it and use receiving blankets between each child or if the blanket gets dirty. I just replace it with another one. Kind of like paper at the Dr.s only softer. It is big and bulky but saves my back from being hunched over on the floor- I am hunched over and on the floor enough of the time
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Crazy8 10:44 AM 06-01-2012
I am the opposite - I love and wouldn't give up my changing table. I even just bought a new one last summer. Sure I'd love to have the space in the room instead but it kills my back and knees to change diapers on the floor - I usually only have 1-2 kids potty trained, rest are in diapers so I change diapers often.

I also store all my nap mats on the shelves of the changing table - without that table I'd still need a place for all those so its not really like it would be "free" space anyway. I've never had an issue with kids climbing on it.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 10:55 AM 06-01-2012
I love my changing table. I use the top drawer to store diapers/Pull-Ups for my 2-year-olds, and the bottom two drawers to store craft supplies that don't need to be in the open (ex: the giant refill glue bottle, giant paint refill bottles, cotton balls, etc.).

My Preschool has three rooms devoted entirely to it. We are not in need of additional room, so having it take up 2-3 feet of space is not an issue for me.
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Heidi 11:08 AM 06-01-2012
Originally Posted by WImom:
I use a pad. Each child (I only have two right now not fully potty trained) has their own pad and it folds up into their bin of diapers, wipes. I will lay it out on top of their bin to dry. (Which is stored up high)
Hey, I am in WI too. Even though each child has their own, you still have to clean AND sanitize it the same way, right?
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Willow 11:17 AM 06-01-2012
I have a couple of pads for use on the bathroom floor (they were actually labeled as nap mats I found at Walmart, plastic covered foam deals that fold up, much cheaper than an actual changing pad when I found them clearanced at $2/mat).

I like having a few because I bleach between each kiddo I change and I don't want to wait around for one to dry until I can move onto the next kid. Spray, wipe, leave to air dry...but still able to whip out another one and move right onto kid number 2, repeat, repeat, etc.
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Heidi 11:39 AM 06-01-2012
Originally Posted by Willow:
I have a couple of pads for use on the bathroom floor (they were actually labeled as nap mats I found at Walmart, plastic covered foam deals that fold up, much cheaper than an actual changing pad when I found them clearanced at $2/mat).

I like having a few because I bleach between each kiddo I change and I don't want to wait around for one to dry until I can move onto the next kid. Spray, wipe, leave to air dry...but still able to whip out another one and move right onto kid number 2, repeat, repeat, etc.
That's a great idea. My new dcb is not potty trained, but is quite large for a 2 1/2 yo. I was already wondering how I was going to get him up on the changing table!
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Heidi 11:39 AM 06-01-2012
Does anyone diaper with the child standing?
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Abigail 12:40 PM 06-01-2012
Originally Posted by Heidi:
Does anyone diaper with the child standing?
Mine in "training" get diapered standing but this is in the bathroom. I have a changing table that I would never go without. I don't like being on the floor for multiple children 20 times a day. My changing table is a dresser with edges someone built and holds the pad perfectly! It has three drawers and stores everything nicely and is very sturdy. I paid $125, but have seen them sold for $50 or so, I just didn't want to wait for a good deal.
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