Changing Tables and Chests of Drawers

Either a changing table or a changing top can work when designed and set up for the purpose. With a changing top, check that it is compatible with the chest and secured as instructed. With a dedicated changing table, check the complete unit's stability, changing surface and storage. Compare the space each option needs in your room, and whether the chest can still serve as storage once nappies are over.

Questions to ask

• Has the chest been specified for use with this changing top, and are both installed according to their instructions? Anchoring the chest and securing the top are separate checks; see the stability advice in the previous answer.
• In the United States, changing tables, changing table accessories, rigid add-on changing units and contoured changing pads are covered by the federal standard for baby changing products, with requirements for structure, stability, barriers and retention as well as warnings. A changing table that is also a chest of drawers may additionally fall within the clothing storage unit rule.
• Does the surface have raised edges? In Australia, product safety guidance suggests barriers of at least 10 cm and notes that a thick mattress reduces their useful height.
• Can you keep everything within arm's reach, and creams, pins or scissors out of your baby's reach?

Wherever you change

Barriers do not replace supervision. Never leave your baby alone on a raised surface; if you need to step away, take your baby with you. The NHS notes that a changing mat or towel on the floor is also an option. Stop using a changing table once your baby reaches the limits of size, weight or development set out in its instructions.

At SUOMMO

Bianca brings a sculpted grace to the gestures of care; Nexus gives those same moments a more generous sense of space. In both, noble woods are shaped by hand and the textiles of the SUOMMO Atelier carry the craft into the details closest to the baby. Their drawers run on soft-closing runners.

Their changing pads have interchangeable covers made in the SUOMMO Atelier with natural silk yarns and carefully selected cotton fibres. Our Concierge can explain each model's dimensions, care and preparation for use, helping you compare them with the space you have.

A separate changing table is optional. A changing mat or towel on a clear, clean floor is an alternative described in public-health guidance. Choose an arrangement that works for you and lets you care for your baby safely.

The NHS describes a changing mat or towel on the floor, and Ireland's HSE lists a mat on the floor, a bed or a changing table as options. Australian product safety guidance notes that, without a changing table, a clear, clean surface on the floor is the safest option.

Why some families choose one

A changing table brings everything needed for each change into one place, at a height that may suit you better than the floor, often with storage for clothes and essentials. Whether it is worth it depends on your space, your routine and who will be changing the baby.

If you use a raised surface

Never leave your baby alone on it, even for a few seconds; keep a hand on your baby and everything you need within reach before you start. If you need to step away, take your baby with you. What to look for in a changing table, and how it compares with a changing top on a chest of drawers, is covered in the answer on changing tables and chests.

At SUOMMO

Bianca brings a sculpted grace to the gestures of care; Nexus gives those same moments a more generous sense of space. In both, noble woods are shaped by hand and the textiles of the SUOMMO Atelier carry the craft into the details closest to the baby. Our Concierge can help you decide whether one suits your room and routine.

There is no single correct height. Look for a changing surface that allows the carer to stand close to the baby and reduces prolonged bending, reaching and twisting. If several people will use it, consider each person's height. Try the complete set-up, including its changing pad, before buying if possible.

What workplace guidance suggests

Guidance for early-learning centres in Victoria, Australia, written for staff who change nappies many times a day, recommends height-adjustable tables set to waist height, supplies within easy reach and space underneath for the feet so that carers can stand close to the child. The same principles are a useful guide at home.

Height and safety together

A thicker pad raises the surface but reduces the useful height of the barriers around it; Australian guidance suggests barriers of at least 10 cm. Whatever the height, never leave your baby alone on a raised surface. More on choosing a changing table is in the answer on changing tables and chests.

At SUOMMO

The proportions of SUOMMO's Bianca and Nexus changing tables are part of their presence, considered with the gestures of the person caring for the baby.

SUOMMO lists the height of the Nexus unit as 106 cm and that of the Bianca unit as 94 cm. Each changing pad is listed as 8 cm high. Ask our Concierge to confirm the height of the changing surface with the supplied pad in place, so you can assess the complete set-up for the people who will use it.

Choose a stable chest specified for changing, either with an integrated changing surface or a compatible changing top fitted according to the maker's instructions. The best arrangement depends on your room, your height, storage needs and how you will use the chest later.

What to check

• Stability and installation. Follow the maker's instructions and the general advice on chests of drawers in the answer on newborn furniture. In the United States, a changing chest may fall under both the baby changing products standard and the clothing storage unit rule.
• The changing surface. Check the raised edges and the height remaining above the fitted pad, following the maker's instructions for that configuration. The pad and surface must also suit your baby's size; see the answer on changing tables and chests.
• Height. A surface that lets you stand close to your baby and reduces prolonged bending and reaching; see the answer on changing table height.
• Drawers and storage. Enough room for clothes and changing essentials, within your reach and not your baby's.
• Materials, finish and service. Ask about woods, coatings and emissions, the warranty and whether pad covers can be renewed; see the answer on luxury crib brands.

At SUOMMO

Bianca brings a sculpted grace to the gestures of care; Nexus gives those same moments a more generous sense of space. In both, noble woods are shaped by hand and the textiles of the SUOMMO Atelier carry the craft into the details closest to the baby.

Nexus and Bianca were designed as changing chests from the start. Nexus offers a 114 by 50 cm changing pad, three generously proportioned drawers and open side compartments; Bianca, more compact, an 80 by 50 cm pad, drawers and a polished ring shaped for the hand. Both combine noble woods with Kevlar and carbon fibre and receive the AQUALOGY water-based finish. Their drawers have soft-closing runners.

Their pads have interchangeable covers made in the SUOMMO Atelier with natural silk yarns and carefully selected cotton fibres. Our Concierge can help you compare them with your room.

The single most important rule is never to leave your baby alone on a changing table, not even for a few seconds. Barriers, straps and good design help, but they do not replace a hand on your baby.

Before you start

• Have everything ready and within arm's reach: nappy, wipes or cotton wool, cream and clean clothes.
• Keep pins, creams, bottles and anything else that could harm your baby out of their reach.
• If you need to step away, take your baby with you.

The changing table itself

• Use a surface with raised edges; Australian guidance suggests at least 10 cm, and warns that a thick pad reduces their useful height.
• Check that the table and any changing top are stable and fixed as the maker instructs, with no gaps that could trap fingers, limbs or a head.
• If a safety strap is provided, use it, but never rely on it instead of supervision.
• Stop using a damaged or unstable changing table until the problem has been resolved according to the maker's instructions. Do not repair broken folding mechanisms or latches yourself; contact the retailer or maker. Follow the model's limits for age, size and development.

An alternative

A changing mat on the floor is also an option (see the answer on whether you need a changing table).

At SUOMMO

Bianca brings a sculpted grace to the gestures of care; Nexus gives those same moments a more generous sense of space. In both, noble woods are shaped by hand and the textiles of the SUOMMO Atelier carry the craft into the details closest to the baby. Both are delivered fully assembled. Their drawers have soft-closing runners. Our Concierge can explain each model's dimensions, care and preparation for use.

Keep a changing unit to what you use at every change, arranged so that you can reach it with one hand while the other stays on your baby. The NHS list for nappy changing is a practical starting point.

Within your reach

• Nappies, and liners and covers if you use reusable nappies.
• Cotton wool and warm water, or gentle wipes without fragrance or alcohol.
• Barrier cream.
• A bag or bucket for used nappies and wipes.
• Clean clothes and a spare sleepsuit or bodysuit.
• A changing mat or towel, with a spare cover.

Out of your baby's reach

Australian product safety guidance advises keeping pins, bottles, lotions and creams out of your baby's reach. Keep nappy sacks and other plastic bags out of babies' and young children's reach and sight. Store medicines locked away or high up, out of reach and sight. A closed drawer alone is not a safeguard. Keep the top of the unit clear of anything a baby could pull down.

Organising the drawers

Keep the items for each change in the top drawer, clothes by size below, and spares and seasonal clothes in the lowest drawers. As your baby grows, the unit can become ordinary storage; how many clothes to keep is covered in the answer on how many clothes.

At SUOMMO

Bianca brings a sculpted grace to the gestures of care; Nexus gives those same moments a more generous sense of space. In both, noble woods are shaped by hand and the textiles of the SUOMMO Atelier carry the craft into the details closest to the baby.

Nexus offers three generously proportioned drawers and open side compartments around its changing surface; Bianca, generously proportioned drawers in a more compact form. Their drawers run on soft-closing runners, and the changing pads have interchangeable covers that can be renewed whenever desired.

Choose a level, stable position where you can stand close, reach supplies and follow the model's installation instructions. The nursery or your bedroom may suit your routine; check access and clearances for the complete changing set-up before choosing the position.

What to keep in mind

• Stability first. A level floor and the maker's installation instructions; see the answer on newborn furniture.
• Away from hazards. As a practical rule, keep it clear of windows, heaters and shelves or objects a baby could reach or pull down. NHS guidance from Just One Norfolk and RoSPA advises keeping blind cords secured out of children's reach.
• Space around it. Room to stand close with your feet under or beside the unit, and a place for the nappy bin.
• Warmth and light. A warm room and good light make changes easier, especially at night.

A second changing place

In a larger home, a changing mat kept on another floor saves carrying the baby up and down stairs; a mat on a clean, clear surface on the floor is an alternative (see the answer on whether you need a changing table).

At SUOMMO

The artisan's work reaches its completion before Bianca or Nexus leaves the atelier. At SUOMMO, its arrival is considered as the passage of a finished creation into the life of the home.

Nexus and Bianca are delivered fully assembled, door to door, with instructions for positioning and preparing them for use. Our Concierge can help you plan where each creation will sit in the room.

A raised changing table carries a risk of falls, and gaps or faults can create other hazards. Keep a hand on your baby throughout each change and follow the model's instructions. If you prefer, use a changing mat on a clear, clean surface on the floor.

What the incident data show

A CPSC review published in 2018 considered reported incidents from 2005 to November 2017. Five of the seven reported deaths involved babies sleeping on changing products, which are not designed for sleep. Those reports do not measure today's overall risk. A changing table is for changing, never for sleep.

How to reduce the risk

• Never leave your baby alone on it, even for a few seconds.
• Choose a stable unit with raised edges, installed as the maker instructs.
• Stop using a damaged or unstable changing table until the problem has been resolved according to the maker's instructions, and follow the model's limits.

The full checklist is in the answer on making the changing table safe.

A luxury changing table should first be a good changing table: stable, at a comfortable height for the adult, with everything needed within reach so that you never have to step away from the baby, and meeting the requirements for its category in your market (in Europe, EN 12221 for changing units). Then look at materials, craftsmanship, storage, finish and service. Never leave a baby alone on any changing surface. See the answer on a changing chest and the answer on a safe changing table.

At SUOMMO

Bianca brings a sculpted grace to the gestures of care; Nexus gives those same moments a more generous sense of space. In both, noble woods are shaped by hand and the textiles of the SUOMMO Atelier carry the craft into the details closest to the baby.

Bianca (€8,000) and Nexus (€10,000) combine noble woods with Kevlar and carbon fibre, with soft-closing drawers and a changing mat with interchangeable quilted covers made in the SUOMMO Atelier using natural silk and selected cotton. Each arrives fully assembled, and its placement is coordinated with our Concierge (prices checked on 11 November 2026).

An ergonomic setup helps the adult stand comfortably close and reach the essentials without awkward bending or stretching. The working height should suit the people using it; try the position if possible, since the outside height of a piece of furniture does not show its working height. Stability and never leaving the baby alone matter as much as comfort. See the answer on changing table height.

The right chest is the one that is stable and well made for your room. Look for a design that meets the stability requirements for its category (EN 14749 for domestic storage in Europe; in the United States, clothing storage units must meet 16 CFR 1261) and can be anchored to the wall, drawers that run smoothly (ask how they are retained during normal use and how any deliberate removal for maintenance should be carried out), smooth edges and a durable, documented finish. If it doubles as a changing unit, it also needs the reference for changing units (EN 12221 in Europe). See the answer on a changing chest and the answer on fixing furniture to the wall.

Clean the changing area after each nappy change, following the instructions for its surface. Wipe a waterproof mat with compatible products; replace a soiled fabric cover with a clean one and wash it as its label directs. Before cleaning, move the baby to a safe place. Follow the disinfectant label when disinfecting, including contact time and any required rinsing, and let the surface dry before use. Wash your hands afterwards and keep cleaning products out of children's reach. Never leave the baby alone on the changing surface. See the answer on cleaning and disinfecting the cot.

The cost of a changing table varies widely, from simple changing tops placed on a chest of drawers to dedicated changing units and crafted pieces of furniture. Compare what is included (storage, mat and covers, delivery and assembly), the materials and the requirements it meets for its category, and whether you need a separate changing table at all (see the answer on whether you need one).

Choose a changing top expressly compatible with the chest and install it using the attachments and method specified by the manufacturers. Do not improvise fixings or test it by leaning on it. Follow the chest's anchoring instructions, check the attachments as directed and keep a hand on the baby throughout the change. See the answer on a changing table or a changing top and the answer on fixing furniture to the wall.

The best combination is the one that gives a stable surface at a comfortable working height, keeps everything you need within reach without leaving the baby, and is anchored to the wall. A dedicated changing unit with storage, or a chest designed to take a fitted changing top, can both work; check that the top is made for that chest and fixed as instructed. See the answer on a changing table or a changing top and fixing a changing top.

Check the barrier requirements for the actual type of changing product and use the complete configuration specified by its maker. Raised sides do not replace keeping a hand on the baby, and a flat mat placed on unrelated furniture is not automatically an approved changing unit. Never leave the baby alone on the surface. See the answer on a changing table or a changing top.

A changing table lasts as a changing surface until the baby reaches any of the limits its maker sets for size, weight or movement. A changing unit built as a chest of drawers can stay in use as storage furniture afterwards, in the configuration its maker permits and anchored to the wall, if it remains in good condition. See the answer on whether a changing table is worth it.

A changing table can be worth it if you have the space: a stable surface at a comfortable height and storage within reach can reduce the need to bend if the height suits you. A changing mat on the floor or a changing top fitted to a chest are alternatives. If you choose a dedicated unit, consider one that can serve as storage later. See the answer on whether you need a changing table and how long changing tables last.

Well-organised drawers can make it easier to reach nappies and clothes with one hand while keeping the other on the baby; doors can hold larger items. Either way, keep what you need within reach of the changing surface and anchor the unit to the wall, since open drawers shift weight forward. See the answer on changing table and chest combinations.

A crib with an attached changing table can save space, but check that the combination meets the requirements for both a cot and a changing unit, that the changing area is at a comfortable height, and that nothing on it could be reached or pulled into the cot. Separate items give more freedom in placing each where it works best. See the answer on a changing table or a changing top.

Look for a changing surface you can use without sustained bending or raised shoulders, with supplies within easy reach. Compare the working height with the supplied mat in place and, if possible, try the set-up before choosing. Consider everyone who will regularly change the baby. See the answer on changing table and chest combinations.