Becoming a new parent brings so many joys, but also a host of practical challenges. One of the things that quickly becomes clear is just how often you’ll be changing diapers. For me, leaning over the bed or floor wasn’t just uncomfortable, it felt precarious and made a simple task feel like a chore. I knew I needed a dedicated space, something safe and convenient, otherwise, the endless cycle of changes would become overwhelming, potentially leading to back strain and a less-than-ideal environment for both me and the baby.
- COMPACT & PORTABLE: Emily occupies a small footprint and is ideal for small nurseries. It is lightweight and easily portable allowing you to move it around easily to ensure you can change LO anywhere...
- CONVENIENT & DURABLE: The mattress changing platform comes with a 1” changing pad creating a convenient space for diaper changing. It is made of durable, sustainable and renewable New Zealand...
- GREAT STORAGE: The Emily comes with two easy-to-reach, spacious shelves below the changing table that allow you to keep your LOs essentials neatly organized and easy to access. Product dimensions are...
Choosing the Right Changing Table: What to Look For
Before settling on a dedicated changing station, it’s wise to think about why you need one and what features are most important for your situation. A changing table fundamentally solves the problem of providing a safe, elevated surface for diaper changes, which saves your back and keeps everything contained in one spot. The ideal customer is a parent of a newborn or infant who has the space for a dedicated piece of nursery furniture and wants a comfortable, ergonomic setup for frequent diapering. Someone who might not need one is a parent with very limited space who might opt for a changing pad placed on top of a dresser or bed, or someone who plans to primarily use changing facilities when out and about.
When considering purchasing a changing table, think about size and footprint – will it fit comfortably in your nursery? Material and durability are key – you want something sturdy that will last through the diapering phase (and potentially another child). Storage is also a big factor; having diapers, wipes, creams, and changes of clothes within easy reach is crucial for efficient and safe changes. Safety features like guardrails and an anti-tipping mechanism are non-negotiable. Lastly, consider the included changing pad; often, these are basic and you may want to factor in the cost of an upgrade.
- Material:Baby changing table is constructed with a high-quality metal frame and durable fabric materials, coupled with a waterproof changing pad, ensuring sturdiness and ease of cleaning. Soft plush...
- Safety first: Alpine Baby Changing Station is sturdy, secure (Safety straps included), and can support your baby's weight. a cost-effective option that prioritizes safety without sacrificing quality.
Meet the Dream On Me Emily Changing Table
The Dream On Me Emily Changing Table is designed to provide a simple, functional, and safe space for changing your baby’s diaper. It promises convenience through its dedicated design and storage capabilities, aiming to make diaper time less of a hassle. When you purchase the Dream On Me Emily Changing Table In White, it comes with the wooden table frame and a 1-inch changing pad. Compared to more elaborate or expensive options on the market, the Emily is a more minimalist, budget-friendly choice. It’s designed for parents looking for a straightforward, dedicated changing table without excessive features or bulk. It might not be the best fit for someone needing a multi-functional dresser-changer combo or expecting a thick, luxurious changing pad right out of the box.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons based on my experience:
Pros:
* Compact footprint, great for smaller nurseries.
* Made from sustainable New Zealand pinewood.
* Two spacious shelves offer ample storage.
* Safety rails on all four sides provide security.
* Lightweight and relatively easy to move.
Cons:
* The included changing pad is quite thin and basic.
* Assembly instructions can be confusing.
* Some reports of minor quality control issues (chipped corners, screw hole alignment).
* Supports for shelves are particle board, not solid wood.
Key Features and How They Help
Having used the Dream On Me Emily Changing Table for quite some time now, I’ve really gotten a feel for its different aspects and how they impact daily life with a little one.
Compact and Portable Design
One of the standout features of the Emily Changing Table is its relatively compact size. At 36.5″ L x 20″ W x 39″ H, it doesn’t eat up a ton of floor space, which is a real plus in nurseries where square footage might be at a premium. I found this especially helpful in our home. It fits nicely against a wall without feeling like it dominates the room. The benefit here is obvious: you get a dedicated changing station without sacrificing precious nursery real estate needed for a crib, glider, or storage. This compact nature also contributes to its portability. While not something you’d likely move between floors daily, it’s light enough (around 19.5 lbs) that rearranging the nursery or shifting it slightly for cleaning is quite manageable. For parents who might need to occasionally move the changing table from one room to another (perhaps closer to a living area during the day when the baby is very small), this feature is definitely a bonus. It means you’re not stuck changing diapers only in the nursery if convenience dictates otherwise.
Convenient Changing Platform with Pad
The core function, of course, is the changing platform itself. It sits at a comfortable height for most average-sized adults, which is absolutely vital for preventing back strain. As I mentioned earlier, leaning over low surfaces for dozens of changes a day just isn’t sustainable. The elevated platform on the Emily solves this perfectly, allowing you to stand upright or sit on a stool at a comfortable level while you handle diaper duty. The platform comes with a 1-inch changing pad included. Now, to be completely honest, this pad is quite basic. It’s thin and made of a wipeable material, which is easy to clean – a definite plus when dealing with inevitable messes. However, it’s not very cushioned. My initial thought was that my baby deserved something softer, and many other users feel the same, often planning to upgrade to a thicker, contoured pad. While the included pad is functional and meets the basic need, don’t expect plush comfort. The benefit of having a pad included, even a thin one, is that the changing table is ready to use right away (after assembly), giving you time to find a preferred replacement if you choose. The wipeable surface is genuinely useful for hygiene.
Durable and Sustainable Construction
Dream On Me states that the Emily Changing Table is made from durable, sustainable, and renewable New Zealand pinewood. This is a nice selling point, appealing to parents who value environmentally conscious materials. From a durability perspective, the pinewood frame does feel sturdy for the price point. It has held up well to daily use over a significant period. The design boasts stability, and for the most part, it feels secure when changing my little one. However, it’s important to note, as some user reviews point out and as I observed during assembly, that while the *frame* is wood, some support components, particularly the panels for the shelves, are made of thin particle board. This doesn’t affect the top changing surface significantly (as it’s supported by the main frame), but it does mean the shelves themselves might not be as robust for extremely heavy items over time. For typical changing supplies and baby essentials, though, the shelves hold up just fine. The overall stable design is crucial for safety, ensuring the table doesn’t wobble excessively during changes, which is a key benefit for peace of mind. The natural wood finish (or painted finishes like the white one I have) also adds a nice aesthetic to the nursery, contributing to a warm and inviting space.
Great Storage with Two Spacious Shelves
This is where the Dream On Me Emily Changing Table really shines functionally for me. The two open shelves below the changing platform are incredibly convenient. They are easy to reach while you’re standing at the table, which is essential because you never want to leave a baby unattended while reaching for supplies. The shelves are spacious enough to hold a surprising amount of stuff. I use the top shelf for things I need *most* frequently during a change: the wipe warmer, a caddy filled with diapers, wipes, and creams. The bottom shelf holds backups – more diapers, stacks of receiving blankets, extra changes of clothes, even bins filled with small toys or books to distract a squirmy baby. The dimensions of the shelves (around 34.5” W x 17.5” D with about 10.75” H opening) are generous. While some specific taller bins might be a tight squeeze on the top shelf depending on their exact height, standard fabric cubes or smaller bins fit easily, allowing for organized storage. The benefit of this ample, accessible storage cannot be overstated. It keeps everything you need for a change right where you need it, making the process much faster, smoother, and safer because you don’t have to turn away or walk off to grab something. It transforms the changing table into a complete station.
Safety Matters: Guardrails and Anti-Tipping Kit
Safety is paramount when it comes to baby furniture, especially something elevated where your baby will be placed. The Dream On Me Emily Changing Table addresses this with safety rails on all four sides of the changing platform. These rails create a fully enclosed and secure space, helping to prevent the baby from rolling off (though you should *never* leave a baby unattended on a changing table, even with rails). The rails are a reassuring physical barrier. Furthermore, the table is tested to meet applicable CPSC/ASTM standards for juvenile products, which provides a layer of confidence regarding its design and materials. It’s also tested for lead and other toxic elements. Included with the table is an anti-tipping tool kit, designed to secure the table to the wall. Installing this kit is a crucial step in ensuring the table remains stable and cannot be accidentally pulled over, especially as the baby grows and might push or pull on the sides. While assembly can be a bit fiddly according to some (and I found it required patience myself, definitely needing my own screwdriver), the presence of these safety features and certifications highlights the manufacturer’s focus on providing a secure environment for changing, which is the ultimate benefit for any parent.
What Others Are Saying: Real User Feedback
I looked online to see what other parents thought about the Dream On Me Emily Changing Table, and the feedback is generally positive, especially considering the price point. Many users agree it’s a good value, feeling sturdy enough for daily use and appreciating the attractive finish and ample storage space provided by the two shelves. Parents find the height convenient for diaper changes. Common points of feedback mirror my own experience: the included changing pad is widely regarded as being too thin, and assembly instructions can be confusing for some, occasionally leading to minor frustration. A few reviewers mentioned receiving parts with small cosmetic flaws or difficulty with screw hole alignment, although customer service experiences varied when seeking replacements. Overall, the sentiment is that it’s a functional and affordable changing table that gets the job done, especially if you plan to swap out the pad and can navigate potentially tricky assembly.
Final Thoughts: Is This Changing Table Right for You?
Dealing with frequent diaper changes is a reality of life with a baby, and having a dedicated, safe, and convenient spot for it makes a world of difference, saving your back and ensuring you have everything at your fingertips. The Dream On Me Emily Changing Table In White offers a straightforward solution to this challenge. Its compact size makes it suitable for various nursery layouts, the two spacious shelves provide essential, easy-access storage for all your changing supplies, and the built-in safety features offer peace of mind. While the included changing pad isn’t the most luxurious, and assembly might test your patience slightly, for its price, the Emily provides excellent functionality and value. If you’re looking for an affordable, dedicated changing table that covers the basics well and offers great storage, this is definitely one to consider. Click here to check the product out and see if it’s the right fit for your nursery needs!
Last update on 2025-08-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API