Chest of drawers

A chest with a changing top is one of the few pieces of furniture used several times a day during the first year. The changing top usually lifts off or folds down, so later the chest simply stays on as normal furniture in the child's room.

Height matters most. The changing surface should sit at about your waist level, otherwise your back will feel it within a week. If the parents differ a lot in height, pick something in between.

Practical details: wide drawers on full-extension runners, raised edges around the changing surface and rounded corners. It helps if the chest matches a cot from the same collection — they are often sold as a set.

Check whether a separate changing mat is needed; it is frequently bought separately.