Our Story

The creation of the Changette, and the Company was inspired by our desire to protect our twin children, Nicholas and Giuliana. Born 10 weeks premature, their 4 month struggle in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit posed the greatest emotional and physical challenges we, as parents, have ever faced. Like all babies, their immune system was weak and developing, making them very prone to infection. Once discharged from the hospital, we were meticulous about maintaining a clean and hygienic environment for our children in order to avoid complications from community acquired infections.

In this endeavor, it quickly became evident that the public baby change tables commonly found in public restrooms at the mall or in restaurants were unhygienic and sources of potentially serious infection. Investigating further, we discovered research demonstrating that public change tables are extremely hazardous as they have been shown to harbor dangerous microorganisms including antibiotic-resistant bacteria, flesh eating streptococcus and highly contagious gastrointestinal viruses. This fact is not surprising given that these tables are constantly exposed to feces, urine, saliva and vomit. Furthermore, when it comes to sanitation, these tables are simply “wiped down”, but never actually sterilized after installation.

This research is disturbing, but not surprising. By their very nature, these change tables are known to be dirty which is why many parents cover the tables with paper towel or a change pad. Unfortunately, this is not enough. In the case of the change pad, the contaminated bottom surface is then placed back into the diaper bag, thereby contaminating all other contents within. Anything that comes into contact with the change table surface, such as clothing, purses, toys, or your baby’s hands and feet are instantly contaminated.

Reluctant to expose our children to these contaminated areas, and fearful of inadvertently bringing these microorganisms into our home, we searched for alternative methods of changing our babies in public. In addition to the mall or restaurants, we faced challenges changing our babies at the park, the beach, during a walk, the farmer’s market and a multitude of other public venues. Like other parents, we simply accepted this as a challenge of parenting and would change our children on a blanket on the ground, on a park bench, or in the car if nearby. Given that each of our children often required 5-10 diaper changes per day, we knew there had to be a better way. And so was born giniBABY and the Changette. The safest, cleanest and most convenient way to change your baby, anywhere!