When parents make a list of essentials for a newborn, they must include a crib, a stroller, a small bath, and many other things. Not everyone's list includes a changing table, although this thing makes the life of a new mother very much easier. In addition, you do not have to buy a changing table, you can easily make it yourself.
Benefits
A small child has to change clothes at least several times a day. Newborns often change their diapers, change clothes after and before bedtime, change clothes before going out. In general, it turns out at least 5 changes per day. Women after childbirth often complain of back pain, so it is very difficult for them to bend over the sofa each time. The changing table makes changing your baby much easier.
The changing table also it is very convenient to carry out gymnastics and massage for the baby. It is a hard and even surface that is considered ideal for carrying out these procedures. In addition, in the first months of a child's life, when the doctor often comes home to conduct an examination, such a table is also very useful.
From a safety point of view, the changing table is in a better position than a regular sofa. Usually, a diaper has shelves and drawers where you can store diapers and cosmetics for a newborn. Thus, when changing your baby's clothes everything you need is right at your mom's hand. Even when the baby can roll over and crawl on its own, the mother will always be there to hold him with her hand. Changing dressers will help mom until the baby reaches the age of 1 year.
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Changing tables are of the following types:
- soft changing boards;
- stacking diapers;
- special dressers;
- suspended models;
- transforming diapers.
The first option is considered the simplest and most economical, since it is easy to do it yourself. This board can be transported and installed on the required surface. It is equipped with special bumpers that prevent the baby from falling. There is a special waterproof material on the surface of the board. The changing board is very convenient to take with you on a trip.
The frame for the shelf can be wood, plastic or metal material. Its design includes several shelves or drawers, as well as a hard or soft changing board. At the changing station shelf table small items such as diapers, wet wipes or cosmetics can be stored.
Special the chest of drawers-changer provides quite a lot of storage space for the baby's things. It differs from the previous version in greater capacity. The changing board can be removable.
But it should be borne in mind that such a chest of drawers requires quite a lot of space and is not suitable for a small room.
Ideal for small spaces suspended models of diapers. They are wall-mounted and can be folded back if necessary. They can additionally have pockets for storing small items. Their folding mechanism is very space saving and easy to use.
Convertible tables more difficult to manufacture, but they will last longer. When the child grows up, they can be converted into a children's table, at which it will be convenient to play and study.
Choice of materials
When making your own tables, you need to carefully select the necessary materials. The most important condition is that the materials must be safe and environmentally friendly.
The ideal material for the frame is natural wood. But in terms of cost, it is significantly superior to other options. In addition, the wooden frame will be quite heavy. Therefore, its cheaper counterparts - chipboard or MDF are often preferred. Their strength is sufficient to make a reliable frame.
A soft changing board is made using filler and waterproof material. The filler can be foam rubber or holofiber. The latter option is hypoallergenic, which is especially important for newborns. A cheap and practical alternative is a terry towel that needs to be folded several times. To make a waterproof surface, use ordinary oilcloth, which is available in pharmacies.
When using varnishes or paints you need to make sure they are environmentally friendly and non-toxic. There are special materials that are designed for decorating a children's room and furniture. They dry quickly and do not have an unpleasant odor. It is important to hide all accessories and small parts well so that the baby does not get hurt.
Suspension
The stationary changing table, attached to the wall, is very convenient to use. The space underneath can be used to store toys or other baby items. The design of the wall hanging diaper includes a board, side boards and corners that support the frame. In accordance with the required dimensions of the future table, a drawing is drawn up, according to which parts are cut out from chipboard or wood.
Such a diaper does not rest on any surface, so special attention must be paid to ensure that its design is durable and safe. She must support the maximum possible weight of the child.
It is important that the wall on which the structure will be attached is strong. Plasterboard walls may not support the hanging diaper.
Folding
The fold-out changing table also mounts to the wall, but it saves even more space than a stationary one. When folded, it is almost invisible. As in the previous version, it is important to take care of the reliability of the structure, since it has no support.
The part of the structure that is mounted on the wall can be additionally equipped with shelves for storing small items. Thus, everything necessary for changing the child's clothes will be at the mother's hand. In addition, the presence of additional shelves will make the structure even more stable.
The hinged cover of the diaphragm is installed on gas lifts. This prevents spontaneous slamming or opening of the structure.
The fold-out changing table can also be adapted for the bathroom. But due to the high humidity in the room, you need to carefully choose the material for the homemade diaper and paint. Water-repellent paint will prevent the framework from swelling and mildew.
Portable
Portable changing tables are convenient because they can be fixed on any surface, be it a baby cot or a bathtub. They are changing boards with bumpers on both sides.
To make a homemade portable table, you need to purchase several sheets of chipboard, sanding net. The details are most conveniently sawed with a jigsaw. You will also have to use fasteners, primer and paint.
As a base for the diaper, you can take a board about 1 m long and 60 cm wide. The length of the side boards should correspond to the length of the base, their height does not exceed 10 cm. You can also add a third plank at the head of the child.
First you need to sand the frame and prime it, and then apply paint. The structure is fastened with screws. A pad is needed on a hard surface of the board. It could be a homemade mattress.
Chest of drawers
It is quite possible to make a changing chest of drawers on your own from scratch, or to take as a basis the chest of drawers available in the house and improve it a little.
If there is a ready-made chest of drawers of suitable height at home, it is enough to make a changing board for it. To do this, you need to measure the length and width of the chest of drawers. And then cut out the corresponding board from the chipboard sheet.
If there is no suitable tool at home, you can make a custom job at a building materials store.
Foam rubber is applied to the resulting plate, adding 2 cm on each side. Next, oilcloth is cut out with allowances of 20 cm. Foam rubber is glued to the board and the whole structure is wrapped with oilcloth. It should be well taut. You need to fix the edges with a furniture stapler.
You can attach the board to the chest of drawers using special Velcro fasteners. There are very strong fasteners that will prevent the board from moving along the surface of the chest of drawers. When the baby grows up and the changing table is not needed, it will be easy to remove and remove the fasteners from the chest of drawers.
It takes much more effort to make a complete chest of drawers with a changing board. Accurate measurements and calculations will be required. Of course, it will be easier for someone who has at least some carpentry skills. But a self-made changing chest of drawers will correspond to all the necessary sizes and wishes of the owners, which means that it will fit perfectly into the interior of the room.
Changing table variations allow everyone to choose the model that best suits all requirements. Homemade tables can help you save a lot of money.
At the same time, this thing in terms of functionality and practicality can be easily attributed to the list of a mandatory dowry for a baby, because it greatly facilitates the life of a mother.
You will see how to make a changing table with your own hands in the next video.