Where to find a good changing table?

[foreignerforlife]

Where can I find a good changing table? I want something that is 1. not too expensive, and 2. can also be used as a normal dresser when we're through the diaper phase. Any ideas where to look? The ones at the baby furniture stores run $400 and upwards, and I really don't want to spend that much. Can I just pop a changing pad on a normal dresser? If I do, what dimensions should the dresser have?

[clutterbug]

We just bought an inexpensive, three drawer dresser...one that matched our crib, Storkcraft, I think.  It's not real wood but it's held up well (almost 6 years old now).  If you go to a place like Babies R Us, they have the padded, contoured change table tops, you could measure so you have an idea the minimum size the dresser top would need to be.  I find the Storkcraft (and any other brand meant to go with a crib) is a good height in terms of back comfort during changing, you could even measure that in store as well...then either just buy it new right there, or go to a used furniture place (cheapest option!).

Actually, you don't even need to go to the store...here is the pad, and its dimensions are listed :)

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4243228

[tracymom1]

We bought a dresser and change the baby on the floor, couch, or on our bed.  By the time they are able to squirm around and roll, I never felt safe using the changing table, anyways, so it just made sense to forgo it altogether.  I do have one of those thick, contour changing pads that I use in the beginning when changing on the floor (I also use it for sponge baths).  I think the reasoning behind an actual changing table is because it has the lip that goes all the way around and a belt to strap around the LO so they "don't fall off" - supposed to be safer.  IDK,  I just don't feel safe with the baby so high up in the air.  Maybe I am a little paranoid! 

[jcregan]

We had a hand-me down one... almost never used it.

But, I did notice that IKEA has a bunch of dressers with changing table tops that can be removed later.

[woodchick]

We put one of the contour pads on top of a regular dresser.  We use the top drawer for diapers and socks and such and put clothes in the lower drawers.  Having everything right there means that we don't even need to leave the baby to get anything. I like having the baby higher up for diaper and clothes changing.

Actually, at the moment our changing table is an old desk. It works perfectly because it has the three drawers for cloth diapers and such and it also has the open space where the chair should go where we have a trash can and the wet bag.

[LaurenAnanas]

We bought a "real" changing table at a yard sale for $20. We did slow cruises by suburban yard sales and on the second morning, saw a changing table in excellent condition. And because it was so reasonable, we had no qualms about painting it a zippy aqua color.

I had planned to go the dresser w/topper route, but this ended up being cheaper and just as useful. Having the baby at counter-height really made diaper changes for the first year that much easier on our backs. We did move changes to the floor around 18 months, but I'm still glad we had the changing table setup for the early months. Now we've gotten a hand-me-down dresser for DD (diapers and stuff in the bottom drawer for easier floor changes) and will move the changing table to the new baby's room.

Whether you do a dresser w/pad or traditional changing table, I do think it's worth it to have an official changing area set up.

[Ola_]

We are also planning to use a dresser (that we already have and don't use at the moment) with a changing pad on top. My backup plan was to get a dresser at IKEA (was looking at one of those Hemnes ones, maybe with different knobs to make it look less IKEA-ish). As far as size I think it depends on how much space you have, the size of the change pad, and your height (i.e. what is comfortable for you).

[Buddhamom]

We personally just use, the floor, couch, bed, etc... But IKEA has a nifty one we just saw last weekend that attaches to the wall and folds up for space saving.

[PAgreenmama]

we just registered for one of those curvy changing pads to put on our dresser.  it was fine but i think we used it maybe 3 times.  the floor or the bed was just easier.  i don't think i'm even going to pull it out this time around :)

[lifeguard]

We just used a dresser & put a contour pad on top. FWIW with chose a taller dresser as well as dh & I are both tall & most (all) change tables on the market are too low for us to use comfortably.

There always seems to be a split on this types of discussions - lots of people say they never used their change tables but we always did. Every diaper change I brought him upstairs to change him 'cause it was easier to have everything right where I needed it & to keep the dirty diapers out of reach of the dogs.

[Italiamom]

Another regular dresser user with a contour changing pad on top!  You can buy the no slip stuff at most big box stores, and put that between the changing pad and the dresser top to keep it from moving around.  Just make sure to anchor the dresser!!

[CookAMH]

This one is on sale

http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=14ae907&DeptID=70676&CatID=77448&SO=0&SelDim=5~&x5view=1&NOffset=2&Ne=5+18+904+949+833&shopperType=G&N=4294940794+4294966489&Nao=0&PSO=0&cmAMS_T=XGN5&cmAMS_C=MERCH&cmAMS_Z=XGN5TOPOFRESULTS&CmCatId=70676|77448

We have one like that.

JCP often has a coupon code online for free shipping. I was able to find one a while back that worked for furniture.

Here's one for $250. http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=187fc3b&DeptID=70676&CatID=77448&SO=0&SelDim=5~&x5view=1&NOffset=2&Ne=5+18+904+949+833&shopperType=G&N=4294940794+4294966489&Nao=21&PSO=0&CmCatId=70676|77448

I bet walmart would have some choices.

We really like the pieces like this as DS's room is too small for a dresser and a changing table. Then later, it can just be his dresser when he's no longer in diapers.