How to Create a Diaper Changing Station

Break out the diapers and wipes, it’s time to bring your new baby home! Newborn babies use up to 12 diapers a day during the first few months of their lives. You’ll be changing diapers at all hours of the day and night, so let us make it a little easier for you with these ideas for creating a practicaldiaper-changing station.

A diaper changing station is a must-have for every nursery. It will keep all your diapering supplies organized and help you avoid awkward positions that leave you with a backache. When you can stand comfortably and have everything you need within reach, diaper changes will be quick and efficient.

The first step to creating your diaper changing station is to choose your furniture. You have two options:

This option offers the most storage to keep everything you could possibly need within arm’s reach. The Dresser from Nurture& accommodates a matching Changing Topper to set up a safe and functional changing station. Seven drawers provide space to keep more than just diaper supplies. The matching changing topper provides the perfect place to keep storage baskets, diaper caddy, or diaper bag to carry with you when you’re out of the nursery.

Buying a separate changing table will add another piece of furniture to your baby’s nursery. If you have a smaller nursery, this can make the room feel a bit crowded. Some changing tables may have shelves underneath, but there might not be enough storage space to hold everything you need. A standalone changing table can serve as a second diaper-changing station in a large or multi-level home.

Organization is key to a functional diaper-changing station. When you’re cleaning and changing a squirmy baby, you need your diapering essentials within arm’s reach. Try these tips for easy diaper changes.

If you like to see your supplies at a glance, consider separating everything into bins or baskets. A baby changing table with a large surface area on top is helpful for this kind of organization system.

Hang organizers on the wall near your diaper-changing station. This puts your supplies up at eye level to easily find what you’re looking for and keeps your changing area clear.

Don’t run out of the essentials. Maintain your changing station by regularly restocking the items you use the most. You can sign up for refill subscriptions of many popular brands of diapers and wipes, including through Amazon.

Set up your changing station the best you can before your little one arrives, but be open to rearranging once you start using it. Move things around and reorganize as you settle into your new routine and find what works best for you.

Changing a diaper seems like a basic task, but it’s a good idea to keep a variety of supplies on hand. This list of essentials will help new parents set up their diaper changing station for the first time and remind second-time parents what’s needed in the early diaper days in case it’s been a while.

• Diapers. Whether you prefer cloth or disposable, be sure to always have a full day's worth of diapers on hand.
  
  

• Wipes. Consider a sensitive, fragrance-free option for the early newborn days as your baby’s skin adjusts to the new environment outside the womb.
  
  

• Diaper rash cream. You may not need rash cream for every diaper change, but when your baby’s bottom is irritated you’ll be glad you have it. A cream with zinc oxide provides rash relief and an ointment like A+D creates a barrier to help prevent diaper rash.
  
  

• Baby powder. A basic baby powder is a great way to keep moisture off your baby’s skin. Apply lightly to your baby’s diaper area—including leg creases—armpits, and neck to keep their skin dry from urine, sweat, and drool.
  
  

• Baby lotion. Water and soap can dry out your baby’s skin. Head to the changing station after bathtime to lather up with baby lotion to hydrate your little one’s skin and keep it soft.
  
  

• Diaper pail or small trash can. A stinky stench comes with the diaper-changing territory. Dispose of smelly diapers as soon as possible with a diaper pail or trash can nearby.
  
  

• Hand sanitizer. Washing your hands with soap and water after a diaper change is always important, but hand sanitizer can get you by until you finish dressing your baby and getting them settled.
  
  

• Burp cloths. Spit-up, drool, or a sudden stream of pee: an easy-to-reach burp cloth can wipe up so many messes!
  
  

• Extra baby clothes. When a simple diaper change turns into a strategic blow-out cleanup, a spare onesie at your changing station will come in handy. This is another vote for a dresser with a removable changing topper - spare clothing will be much more accessible!
  
  

• A small toy or pacifier. A little distraction goes a long way when you need your baby to stay still during diaper changes.
  
  

• Extra changing pad covers. A leaky diaper may leave a mess on top of the changing mat. Keep extra covers nearby so you have a clean place to lay your baby every time.
  
  

• A laundry basket or hamper. Toss soiled baby clothes, swaddles, burp cloths, and changing pad covers in a laundry basket or hamper so they’re separated from your clean stash and ready for the wash.

These items make great baby shower gifts, so don’t forget to add them to your registry. You’ll use these baby supplies over and over again so even duplicates are helpful!

A changing table or dresser with a changing topper puts your baby at a height that is comfortable for parents, but potentially dangerous for your little one. Consider these safety features when choosing your furniture and using your diaper-changing station.

Hand-me-downs are great, but not at the expense of your child’s safety. If hardware is missing or pieces are damaged, skip the used furniture and buy new. Check out floor models at nursery furniture stores to inspect the integrity or pay close attention to materials and dimensions when ordering online.

A few inches of side panels will help your baby safely stay in place. Make sure all sides of the changing table are enclosed to protect against rolling and scooting off the edge.

Babies become mobile within the first few months of life. A changing pad with contoured sides and a buckle strap helps keep your baby secure on top of the changing station. Even with these precautions, never leave your baby unattended while on the changing table.

Keep your diapering essentials within reach so your attention can stay on your baby and not on searching for baby wipes or diaper cream.

Like with other pieces of nursery furniture, be sure to anchor your changing table or dresser to the wall. Securing furniture with wall anchors will prevent accidental tipping when your baby pulls to stand up or attempts to climb on the diaper-changing station.

It doesn’t matter how large or small your baby’s room is: you need somewhere to put all the baby things. A dresser that functions as storage and a changing table creates the ultimate, space-saving baby changing station. Nurture& designed The Dresser to be just that.

Customize The Dresser to your needs and preferences when you use The Changing Topper to create a diaper-changing station in your baby’s nursery. The Dresser is made from sustainably sourced wood and non-toxic materials, built to be sturdy and safe for your home. For a smaller nursery space, check out the 4-Drawer Dresser.

The changing topper seamlessly matches the dresser for the look of a one-piece changing station. When you no longer need the topper, you can easily remove it and continue to use the dresser in your child’s bedroom as they grow.

The dresser has a modern, yet neutral design to compliment any nursery decor. You’ll find the dresser in a natural oak or white color that allows it to seamlessly transition into any other room in the house.

When you purchase The Dresser from Nurture&’s online store, it will be delivered to your front door fully assembled and ready to use.

A changing station between 34-40 inches tall is a comfortable working height for most adults. You can find furniture more suited to your exact height by measuring from the floor to your belly button level and comparing that with the dimensions of the changing table or dresser.

Newborn babies will need about 10-12 diaper changes per day for the first few months. As they get closer to their first birthday, the number of daily diapers will decrease. The average baby may use around 2,000 diapers during their first year!

The non-toxic rubberwood, plywood, and MDF oak veneer used to make Nurture&’s dressers are easy to wipe down when cleaning up messes and create a piece of furniture that can last your family many years.

Nurture& is here to help you create a practical diaper-changing station for your baby’s room. You’ll find The Dresser and more premium nursery furniture in our virtual catalog .