How to Keep an Infant Safe on a Changing Table

A changing table provides a convenient place to diaper your infant, a task you will spend quite a bit of time on in the first few months of your baby's life. Follow these steps to ensure your little one is safe and secure while you change her diaper on a changing table.

Instructions

1

Purchase a sturdy, high-quality table that has railings on all four sides that are at least two inches high. This will ensure your infant's safety, and prevent her from rolling off the table while you change her diaper.

2

Ensure that the safety belt for the changing table's pad is easy to fasten and unfasten. Always use the safety belt when changing your infant's diaper, even if you believe she is too young to roll off the table. Infants have a way of surprising you with their strength when you least expect it.

3

Store all diaper-changing supplies, including wipes, lotions, powders and creams at arm's length, but out of the reach of your baby. These products contain substances that can prove toxic if your infant swallows them.

4

Keep one hand on your infant's body at all times and never take your eyes off her or move away from her while she's on the changing table. If you've forgotten to bring a change of clothes to the table, or you realize the table isn't stocked with fresh diapers, pick her up and take her with you to find what you need.

5

Lock the wheels of the changing table in place, if the table is portable. This will prevent the table from tipping over or sliding while you're changing your infant's diaper.

6

Tighten the screws on your changing table every so often to prevent it from wobbling.

7

Secure window blind cords near the changing table well out of the reach of your infant, so she can't pull them down and injure herself.

8

Review your changing table owner's manual once your infant grows to make sure she hasn't exceeded the weight limit of the table. If your baby is heavier than the table's weight limit, don't use the table anymore or it may collapse.