Organized New Mom Tip #12: Keep Essentials on or Near the Changing Table

Everyone knows to keep the diapers and wipes near the changing table, but what new moms don’t realize is how many other things you need to do for your baby on the table besides wiping a bottom.  I quickly realized after Will was born that I needed to overhaul the whole changing area. The hanging mobile was moved from the crib to the table where he enjoyed it all the time, as you can see from the picture to the left. 

Here’s a list of everything I kept handy around the changing table the first few months after Will was born:

·         Diapers

·         Wipes

·         Diaper Cream

·         Baby Tylenol/Other Meds

·         Thermometer

·         Baby Toothbrush

·         Baby Nail Clippers/File

·         Nose Aspirator (the bulb thing)

·         Extra Pacifier

·         Comb

·         Onesies

·         Baby PJs

·         Baby Socks

·         Bibs/Burp Cloths

·         Receiving Blankets

·         Extra changing table cover

·         Sunscreen

·         Kleenex

·         Hand Sanitizer

·         Small Squirt Water Bottle

·         Extra Rattle or Board Book

Although this list seems excessive, I used every last item from this list almost daily, and I suspect other parents do too. Most of these items are small so they’re much easier to organize than at first glance. I have some open storage below the changing table for the linens, so if you actually have a dresser, you’re set. For the rest of the little items I hung pocket storage above the table which works perfectly, since it’s important to keep meds out of reach of grabby little hands.  The pictures below give you a better idea how I organized the table area. Keep in mind that I now have a 19 month old, so the items pictured are a bit different from the above list. 

Convenient pocket storage hung to the left of the
changing table keeps meds and small items
out of Baby's reach 



Interesting images, toys, and books keep Baby happy-
I had to take the mobile off when Will started
pulling it down, but he used it for a good 9 months :)



Storage baskets are a new mom's best friend.

I also have some big storage baskets underneath the crib