Changing Table
While a bed or floor will do as a place to change baby's diaper, anticipating frequent changes convinces most parents-to-be to add a changing table to their "must have" list. Safety and storage are the focus of conversation when discussing changing tables with your customers, because a child must NEVER be left unattended on the changing table, so it's essential to have all necessary supplies at hand.
Only after ensuring the changing table is in compliance with safety standards is it time to check out the extras and cosmetic features, such as style, color, finish and materials content. You definitely don't want to sell any table not in compliance with the current safety standard: American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F2388-09 states, "This consumer safety specification addresses incidents associated with baby changing tables identified by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Incidents involved collapse, falls from the table, and entrapment in structural members. In response to incident data collected by CPSC, this consumer safety specification attempts to minimize the risk of injury and death due to: (1) falls from changing tables, (2) failure of structural or mechanical components, (3) instability and entrapment in openings in the table structure. This specification also contains requirements for warnings and instructional materials directed to parents or caregivers."
Basic features ensuring the table complies with the standard include: safety rails surrounding the changing surface, no sharp points or edges, smooth and finished surfaces, surface coatings in compliance with lead and other chemical standards and limits, and overall structural integrity and stability. Additionally, new regulations that may also apply include the California Air Resources Board Air Toxics Control Measure standards (which sets formaldehyde emissions limits) if the changing table is made with composite wood materials including hardwood, plywood, particle board, and medium density fiberboard (MDF). While this is solely a California law, in effect it ends up applying to all changing tables sold in the U.S. from major manufacturers. This is because most manufacturers ship nationwide from the same inventory, so if it has to meet a certain requirement to ship into one U.S. state, it is easiest for the entire product inventory to be made to that standard.
The changing table should include a padded mat (perhaps with a cloth cover), a safety belt with easy to use buckle, and storage for diapers, wipes and other supplies. Storage can be offered as shelves, drawers, cabinets, cubbies, slide out baskets, baskets on a shelf, or hanging bags or organizers. Weight limit is a key safety consideration because a changing station is also a convenient place for dressing and grooming baby. Good tables accommodate up to 30 pounds. Some tables may go to 40 or 50 pounds (generally found on units that are also intended to be a dresser), however for most children, 30 pounds is sufficient (anything less shortens the useful life as a changing station, and anything more is not generally necessary and often becomes a safety hazard).
At about 30 pounds, the child will be potty training; additionally, as the child gets taller, stronger and more active, he or she won't want to lay down for changing and dressing. Due to the danger of falls and the height from the floor, it's never safe to diaper or change a child who is standing up on the changing table.
While some parents may choose a special, contoured changing pad attached to the dresser as their changing table, others want a full case furniture piece with shelving and storage surrounding the changing surface. There are many options in between. When helping your customers select a changing table, consider the other furniture in the nursery too. Ask your customers if they'll have other dressers, an armoire, a large closet, or if the nursery has limited space. There's a perfect changing table for most any situation and any nursery.
A standard size table will be approximately 32-38 inches long and 17-22 inches wide. Since height will vary by model, be sure to closely scrutinize it if your customer or her partner is very short or very tall. An average changing table height would be about 38 inches.
As for colors, finishes and materials, anything and everything is available! Color is a personal preference. However, the materials and quality of the finish and color ARE important. Cheap materials won't stand up to daily use, and their failure may create unsafe conditions.
Most tables are made of wood or some form of wood composites. Consumers often consider solid wood the gold standard, but it is not required for a table to be good. High quality tables can be made of engineered wood products.
With composite wood products, the overall engineering/assembly, the quality of the finish and the integrity of the hardware used to connect it all together are key. Some very good furniture is made from engineered wood and plywood materials. Inspecting a changing table in person easily weeds out the bad apples (such as easy to peel veneers or misaligned parts) from the good (solid, sturdy construction, seamless finish). Quality tables sell for approximately $90-250 regardless of the materials used. Anything less is suspect, anything more should have a legitimate reason for the higher price (such as particular construction of drawers, the wood used, finishing process used, location of manufacture, etc.).
Lastly, ensure the product has a manufacturer's warranty. At minimum, you want to know that the manufacturer will replace any unsatisfactory parts upon initial assembly or during an initial period of use (30-90 days).
Your customer will spend a lot of time at the changing table, may use it for more than one child, or might continue to use it for clothes, books and toys well after the diaper years. It's an important piece of furniture and you will want to be sure your customer is satisfied with the safety, storage, style, color, price, and quality. Many tables are so attractively designed with such handy storage that they remain useful in the child's room well beyond the diaper years.
* Special Thanks to Daniel Lin from AFG Baby Furniture for reviewing this article.