How to Choose a Changing Table

As a prospective parent, you may wonder how hard it could possibly be when it comes to learning how to choose a changing table. But you'd be surprised at the little details that can make your life easier when you have them, and a nightmare when you don't.

The first consideration should be how long you are going to be using the table. Is this a short term item, that you need to move around the house as an infant moves with you? In that case, an adjustable, foldaway that is designed for lighter weights and younger children, will do.

However, if you're looking for a durable piece of furniture that will serve you and the child as they grow, you'll want to look at something more functional, and with features that will make caring for your baby, easier.

Many parents choose a changing table that goes with the décor of the child's room, whether that is natural wood, hand-painted design, or even brass tables. And to get the most out of their purchase, the style they choose usually includes shelves, drawers, cupboards, or a combination of all three.

The top level of the changing table, should have at least a four inch deep rim, to give you a reasonable enclosure for very young infants. Belts for restraining the baby come with most tables, and should be used at all times.

What comes under that level, is a matter of preference. Some models of changing tables will have one or two shelves with a lip around the edge, to prevent things from rolling off. Other styles will come with baskets on the shelves to help you organize your baby care items. And more deluxe models may have a shelf, plus a cupboard underneath, and possibly a cupboard to one side that is made to hold the diaper pail. These provide the best and longest lasting value, because once the child is out of diapers, they convert to dressers, play tables, and storage areas.

When choosing a changing table, don't forget to check the weight and/or age limit. The more weight it is certified for, the more durable and sturdy it is likely to be.

Visit http://www.MalcolmsWeb.com and sign up for free weekly tips that will take the mystery and fear out of parenting your precious little one.

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

A man checks stock prices online at a TD Ameritrade brokerage Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008 in New York. Wall Street struggled to find a direction Wednesday, as investors, already nervous about the fate of the nation's top automakers, scoured more economic data in search of some relief. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)AP - U.S. stocks looked to extend their losses at the open Thursday as investors found little relief from worries about the fate of Detroit's three automakers and broader fears about the struggling economy.



In this April 22, 2008 file photo, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, left, followed by current Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right,  smiles on Capitol Hill in Washington.  Democratic officials say Daschle has accepted President-elect Barack Obama's offer to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.  (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File )AP - President-elect Barack Obama has started his Cabinet selections by naming several Washington insiders to top posts. Now, he may be reaching out to outsiders, including Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, who reportedly is the lead choice as secretary of the Homeland Security Department.



Auto industry executives, from left, General Motors  Chief Executive Officer Richard Wagoner; Chrysler Chief Executive Officer Robert Nardelli; and Ford Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally, testify on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, before a House Financial Services Committee hearing on the state of the auto industry.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)AP - A plan to give troubled U.S. automakers billions of dollars in government-backed loans is on life support, leaving the fate of hundreds of thousands of workers and Detroit's once-venerable car companies hanging in the balance.



Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 in Washington, before the House Financial Services Committee.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)AP - Pounded by a fierce financial crisis, the country is sinking deeper into economic despair and is likely to be in the hole well into next year, forcing more Americans into the ranks of the unemployed.



A gopher frog sits in the hand of Audubon Zoo curator Nick hanna  in New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008.  For the first time in 10 years, a pond in south Mississippi got enough rain this year to let gopher frogs, one of the nation's most endangered animals, turn from tadpole to frog without human help.  (AP Photo/Bill Haber)AP - With the Bush administration on the verge of relaxing regulations protecting endangered species, Democratic leaders are looking at ways to overturn any last-minute rule changes.



In this image provided by NASA Astronaut Steve Bowen participates in the mission's first session of extravehicular activity Tuesday Nov. 18, 2008 as construction and maintenance continues on the International Space Station.(AP Photo/NASA)AP - Astronauts vowed to double-check, even triple-check, to make sure a bag of tools is properly tied down during a spacewalk Thursday so it doesn't float away like one did earlier this week.



U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt speaks at the opening for the new U.S. Food and Drug Administration office in Beijing , China, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration opened a new office Wednesday in China's capital, its first outside the United States, as part of a new global strategy to ensure the safety of trillions of dollars of imports.(AP Photo/ Elizabeth Dalziel)AP - China announced a complete overhaul of its dairy industry Thursday to improve safety at every step — from cow breeding to milk sales — saying its worst food quality scandal in years had revealed "major problems."



AP - D'Zhana Simmons says she felt like a "fake person" for 118 days when she had no heart beating in her chest. "But I know that I really was here," the 14-year-old said, "and I did live without a heart."

US actor Ben Affleck walks through a camp for displaced people, Wednesday Nov. 19, 2008, near Kibati just north of Goma in eastern Congo. Affleck is currently in Congo on his fourth trip over the last year, hoping to understand firsthand one of the world's worst humanitarian crises of this century. (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)AP - Ben Affleck is trying to draw more attention to the conflict in eastern Congo, where some 250,000 people have been displaced by violence.



In this Oct. 9, 2008 photo, Dallas Cowboys' Adam 'Pacman' Jones prepares to participate in practice at the Cowboys training facility in Irving, Texas.  Jones' suspension was lifted by the NFL on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008,  just over five weeks after the Dallas Cowboys cornerback was banned for another violation of its personal conduct policy.  (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)AP - The NFL is giving Adam "Pacman" Jones another chance. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Wednesday the suspended cornerback has been reinstated by league commissioner Roger Goodell, but he must miss two more games — this Sunday and the following game on Thanksgiving. He'll be back Dec. 7 at Pittsburgh.



Governor of the National Bank of Hungary Andras Simor attends a conference at the Budapest stock exchange on November 20, 2008. (Laszlo Balogh/Reuters)Reuters - World economic misery spread on Thursday with forecasts of a global recession running well into 2009, Japan's exports to Asia falling for the first time in six years and job losses mounting.



Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano speaks during closing ceremonies of the 26th Border Governors Conference in Los Angeles, August 15, 2008. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)Reuters - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's top choice to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing multiple sources.



A pedestrian walks along a side street in Seoul November 20, 2008. (Jo Yong-Hak/Reuters)Reuters - World stocks dropped to 5-1/2 year lows and oil hit 22-month troughs as investors reacted to dire Federal Reserve warnings on the economy and fears about the viability of major U.S. auto makers and bank giant Citigroup.



Leaders of the U.S. automotive industry testify at a hearing held by the House Financial Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, November 19, 2008. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)Reuters - Chances dimmed that a last-minute plan being crafted by Republican senators, with White House support, to provide $25 billion to bail out U.S. automakers would receive enough backing from Democrats to pass before the end of this week.



Reuters - A pact allowing U.S. troops to stay in Iraq for three more years has a chance of being approved by parliament despite some heated opposition, Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said on Thursday.

Sharon Papo (R) and her partner Amber Weiss display their wedding rings after exchanging wedding vows at City Hall on the first full day of legal same-sex marriages in San Francisco, California June 17, 2008. (Erin Siegal/Reuters)Reuters - California's Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a legal challenge against the state's voter-approved ban on gay marriage and let the ban stand in the meantime.



A computer keyboard is seen in this 2005 file photo. (Catherine Benson/Files/Reuters)Reuters - A Missouri woman established a fake identity online to torment a vulnerable teenage girl who later committed suicide, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday in a trial that is being closely watched by the burgeoning social networking industry.



A boy stands at the site of suspected U.S. drone attacks in the Janikhel tribal area in Bannu district of North West Frontier Province November 19, 2008. (Stringer/Reuters)Reuters - Pakistan summoned U.S. ambassador Anne Patterson on Thursday to protest over missile strikes launched by pilotless drone aircraft against militant targets in Pakistan.



US auto giant executives wait to testify before the House Finincial Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Fears of an implosion of the US car industry have continued to weigh heavily on investors' minds as the AFP - Governments scrambled to cushion the impact of the finance crisis Thursday with France launching a sovereign wealth fund and China unveiling a jobs protection plan as the car industry made huge new cuts.



A picture taken in 2007 shows the Delight cargo ship anchored in the port of Hamburg, Germany. Somali pirate attacks have spun AFP - Russia announced Thursday it would send more warships to combat piracy in the waters around Somalia, as the Saudi owners of the Sirius Star negotiated with the pirates holding their oil tanker.




Top List of Baby Girls Names - Choosing Perfect Baby Names for Girls

The list of baby girls names that are the most popular can... Read More

How Toddlers Can Benefit From Using Computers

It's a fact of life that we live in an electronic age... Read More

You Have a New Person at Home: Babys Fourth Month Guide

Baby is into her fourth month now.Mom's milk is best.Breast milk is... Read More

Baby Room Decor Tips & Hints

When you plan for a baby room decor, the best thing would... Read More

Tips and Tricks for Introducing Solids to Your Baby

Helping your child move from breast breast milk or formula to solids... Read More

The Top 10 Fun Things for Parents and Toddlers to Play With

1. Give your child a spray bottle of water and watch them... Read More

Does Your Baby Necessarily Need Shoes?

When you came up with such question, what will be your answer?... Read More

Potty Training in One Day - Can You Really Potty Train in a Day? What Does It Mean?

Sounds great ? doesn't it?Or does it sound too good to be... Read More

Baby Expense: What To Do When Baby

As you probably know, baby expense should be high on your list... Read More

10 Items of the Well-Stocked Diaper Bag

Does your diaper bag have everything you need in it? Of course,... Read More

Under Carpet Heating In The Nursery ? To Help Your Baby Sleep Through The Night And More!

As new parents, we all want what's best for our babies. There... Read More

Baby Shower Invitation Cards

Baby Shower Invitation Cards are a time saver for the hostess. It... Read More

Coping With Colic

A new baby with colic is one of the most difficult problems... Read More

Baby Sleep Tips

Getting a baby to adjust to a normal sleep schedule can be... Read More

The Making of a Mini-Model

Baby modeling isn't an exclusive art - nor is it as potentially... Read More

The Character Traits of the Typical Libran Baby

Your Libra Baby..September 23 - October 22Libras can be really beautiful babies.... Read More

Baby Products ? Essential Baby Products, Which Ones Do I Really Need?

There are many essential baby products a new parent must purchase. Cribs,... Read More

Baby Showers To Remember

Every mother wants an enchanting baby shower for her new baby ranging... Read More

Heres What to Expect at a Baby Shower

A baby shower is a great way to welcome a new child... Read More

Weaning A Baby Onto Solid Food

The best time to wean your baby onto solid food is at... Read More

How Much Water For Baby?

While drinking more water is a good idea for everyone, especially during... Read More

A Babys Sleeping Pattern

Sleeping..A newborn baby spends most of her time on two things: sleeping... Read More

When To Start Teaching Your Baby (2)

With you or without you, your baby will be learning from the... Read More

Should Your Baby Sleep In Your Bed?

Should baby sleep in her own cot or in bed... Read More

When Should Your Baby Wear Shoes?

There is actually a bit of controversy about this question. Some pediatricians... Read More

Top 3 Must Have Books for Your Baby or Toddler

Reading is one of the most important things you will do with... Read More

Baby Shower Party Game Ideas to Keep Your Guests Entertained

Baby shower party game ideas?? This is the question which comes to... Read More

The Truth About Baby Bedding

Imagine your little baby in her nursery. So happy in the colorful... Read More

Facts You Should Know About Baby Shower Etiquette

Whether you're hosting a baby shower for the first time or not,... Read More

To Invite or not to Invite the Dad to the Shower?

Do you invite dad to the baby shower? As per the old... Read More

Choosing a Personalized Baby Gift

Have you been invited to a baby shower or asked to be... Read More

Mobiles For Babies Can Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Mobiles are well known for its effectiveness in capturing and keeping baby's... Read More

The Average Growth In Babies

Growth charts are tools your pediatrician can use to keep track of... Read More

How to Choose a Diaper Bag

Even though it's a popular shower gift, you may want to choose... Read More

Five Reasons For Preparing Your Own Baby Food

Are you unsure whether you should make your own baby food at... Read More

Childrens Bedroom Furniture - Three Mothers Share Their Buying Habits

Just two months ago, a group of mothers from three generations (Gen... Read More

How to Make a Lovely Baby Shower Cake

Baby shower cakes are terrific centerpieces for showers. Guests always laugh when... Read More

Using Baby Signing To Communicate With Your Young Child

Baby Signing..Around 20 years ago, two American doctors discovered baby signing and... Read More

Intersting Baby Facts - Strange But True!

* A baby is born every seven seconds.* Babies are born with... Read More

Aromatherapy For Babies

Before reading this article keep in mind that most doctors don't recommend... Read More

Baby Shower Invitations Ideas

The first thing you need to do before you order invitations or... Read More

Baby Gift Registry

A furniture gift registry helps us streamline to the best choice. Through... Read More

A Birth Announcement That Is Both Practical and Sentimental

The best birth announcement is both practical and sentimental. Welcome your new... Read More

Advantages Of A Sheepskin Underlay For Babies

Sheepskin offers unique advantages as an underlay for babies. One of the... Read More

Baby Shower Gifts Are Not All The Same

When one talk about shower baby gifts, it is clear they can... Read More

Will Kids Eat Vegetables? Yes, They Will!

You have made the decision to grow your own vegetables. It's a... Read More

Benefits of Making Your Own Homemade Baby Food

Making your own homemade baby food will ensure that what your child... Read More