No room for a changing table you say? Enter the
Ubi Changing Table. This compact changer is the brainchild of Sue Wong, mechanical engineer-cum-designer.
The Ubi has a built-in diaper dispenser in the table's surface. Lay your baby on the table and the diaper is perfectly positioned underneath. A new clean diaper is automatically fed through the slot when you're done. Velcro strips on the table hold the diaper in place. This
deluxe model will retail for $119, available starting in July. You can also get the
basic Ubi for $89 (sans automatic diaper feed).
We like the fact that it's small, portable and good looking. What do you think of the Ubi?
It looks like an exciting novel concept, except that:
-it assumes you use disposables, instead of cloth diapers
-what about wipes, ointments, etc.?
view mschatelaine's profile
monika1 - If you use cloth diapers, you can get the basic Ubi model instead (no diaper dispenser).
view janie's profile
Cute fabrics and all, but why bother with it? Since it's so low to the ground, you may as well throw down a receiving blanket and change the baby anywhere. Now that's compact.
view dollhouse's profile
I have to agree with dollhouse. I would be so on board with this if it was made to attach securely to the top of a dresser.
view NCB's profile
I can kinda see putting it inside the crib to change baby there. Kinda. But it's sure cute. Actually, one of those prints is like a wamsutta bathroom set I saw at Linens 'N' Things.
view exxon23's profile
I have to agree: if you need to get on the floor anyway, just use a blanket or changing pad. It's cute, but they should modify the design to attach to a dresser. It just seems awkward otherwise.
I also don't really get the fastener strips that hold down the diaper or the pop-up thing. It seems like it would be hard to clean up a poopy diaper with the pop up??? Is there something that covers the fresh diaper while you clean up from the dirty one? I think I need to see it in action.
view lb's profile
I'm agreeing with many of the above comments: as a gDiaper family, the dispenser wouldn't work for us. But I think the bigger issue is how easy it is to use a changing pad, or a blanket, or my sweatshirt to lay the baby on when changing on the go (often at AT headquarters!). We also love the Skip Hop Pronto for out-and-about diaper business.
Yes yes, let's see it in action - maybe Ubi would like to send us one for the test lab, we film a clip, and then have a give-away for the family that thinks it would be helpful to them... Ubi... are you listening?
view Sara Kate's profile
I'm a 1st time dad of a wonderful baby girl Madison. Until then, I might have changed 1 diaper for one of 8 nieces and nephews. We were given a UBI as a gift and thought, "how nice, but is it really necessary?". We thought, ehhhh, what's the big deal about changing diapers? I can tell you that we've used the UBI 10 times/day since day 1 (she's now 6 months old). That's about 1800 diapers if my math is correct. We've actually grown so accustomed to the ease of using the UBI that when we are in public without the UBI, we're fumbling around with a clean diaper that won't stay open and we feel out of sorts. So I guess we're "co-dependant" on the UBI ;).
To answer a few of the above questions: 1) we just leave the wipes and ointments on the floor next to the UBI (but I'm sure Sue will take note and design an accessory holder/dispenser)
2) cloth diapers can be used, but the velcro strips will not hold, but you can save a few $$ by buying the basic model.
3) yes, a changing blanket/old sweatshirt can be used also and is probably cheaper, but I would have to say that the UBI is a little bit more ergonomic in that it raises the baby up off the floor so you don't have to bend over so much and the angle makes it more comfortable. The UBI is not really portable in the sense that you would throw it in the SUV/van or carry it on the stroller at the mall. If your baby's changing table is upstairs or in another room, the UBI is a convenient, low cost(compared to a changing table), quick change alternative.
4) we usually wipe the poop up with a few sheets of toilet paper and lay the TP face down on the dirty diaper to prevent laying her back down on the poop. But I've learned to just hold her by her legs until I've wiped her clean and with the other free hand, just remove the dirty diaper and rest her on the opened clean one.
5) we laid the UBI latitudinally in her crib. It was actually long enough to fit on top of the rails and the bent wood base would just touch the sides. Very stable, but we ended up having to remove it each time she slept as she became more active and able to move around. I built a platform with rails that kept the base steady for table top/changing table use.
Again, having used it and having tried changing without it, it just makes the whole process easier. My wife and I actually fight over who gets to change the diapers :)
view madidadi's profile