If you just had a baby, you already know how important it is to change the diaper often. It’s ideal to have a good changing pad to make the process as simple and comfortable as possible for you and your kid. It would be best to have a good changing pad. There are a lot of different changing pads on the market today, So it can be hard to select the right one for you. This blog post will talk about the pros and cons of some of the most popular changing pads to help you decide which one is best for your family.
Is a Changing Pad Necessary?
A baby will need more than 2,000 diaper changes in their first year. Many of these diaper changes will occur when you’re out and about. However, public changing tables are often not cleaned well. That can be a problem if you need to change your baby’s diaper and there is no table available.
If you don’t have a changing pad, you may end up with a mess on the surface you’re changing your baby on. It can be challenging to clean up.
Having a changing pad is helpful. It helps keep your baby on a clean surface and prevents further messes. You can use it at home or when you’re on the go.
Don’t Some Businesses Offer Disposable Changing Pads?
It is rare to find a changing table with disposable changing pads. However, disposable changing pads do not offer as much protection as reusable options. It is always best to prepare and have a changing pad in your diaper bag.
Changing Pads Protect Your Possessions
If you have a baby, it’s good to get a changing pad. If your baby has a dirty diaper, you can change it on the pad instead of furniture or other things and places.
Unfortunately, poop blowouts happen pretty often in your baby’s first year. Once an item is soiled, there’s no going back. You might have to live with an unpleasant poop stain, especially if you can’t wash the item in a machine. Your furniture will be safe if you have a changing pad with a cover that can be washed.
How to Choose a Changing Pad
Here are some tips to help you choose a changing pad that will work for your needs.
- Portability:
You will want a changing pad that folds to take it with you when you go out. You don’t want to carry around a vast yoga mat.
- Fit:
When looking for a changing pad, you need to make sure that it will fit the surface on which you can use it. When you change a baby’s diaper, you also want to make sure that the pad will cover the whole surface. If you’re going to use the changing pad until your baby is a toddler, look for one that is at least 33 inches long and 17 inches wide.
- Straps:
If you plan to leave your changing pad in a fixed location, such as on top of a changing table, look for one that includes straps for securing it in place.
- Non-skid bottoms:
Babies are wiggly and can move around a lot, which can be dangerous on a high surface. If you use a changing pad that doesn’t have a safety belt, you might consider getting one with a non-skid base.
- Belts:
A safety belt can help keep your baby safe when changing their diaper. This way, they can’t escape and get hurt.
- Waterproof material:
Sometimes babies pee on everything before you can change their diaper. If this happens, it’s helpful to have a waterproof changing surface and a machine washable cover. That will make the clean-up process much more manageable.
The Best Changing Pads
These are the top changing pads for both at-home and on-the-go usage.
This changing table is an excellent choice if you’re worried about your baby’s safety. It has grips to keep the pad in place, so it doesn’t move while you change your baby, and the sides are high and curved so your baby can’t roll off.
This changing pad is 16 by 31 inches and will fit most changing tables. It is made of polyurethane foam and is comfortable for your child. It is also easy to clean after each use.
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This one is 16 inches wide and 32 inches long to fit most changing tables. It has straps that make it easy to attach to furniture. The non-slip bottom prevents your baby from skidding as you try to change a diaper.
The changing pad comes in many colors. You can buy many covers to match the color of the changing pad. The pad is water-resistant and straightforward to clean. It has a belt that clicks closed and walls that help keep your baby from rolling or falling off.
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This LA Baby changing pad has a security strap that you can use to fasten it to a dresser or other flat surface. It also has a non-skid bottom, so the pad will not move around when you are changing your baby’s diaper. The four-inch sides help prevent the pad from rolling over.
This changing pad is waterproof, phthalate-free, non-toxic, anti-microbial, and easy to clean with a washcloth. It also has an extra buckle for securing squirmy babies. If you prefer American-made products, this is a great option.
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This portable pad will help you change your baby’s diaper successfully. It has everything you need in a tiny carry pouch. Plus, it includes a cute case for baby wipes. The head section has extra cushioning to provide extra comfort.
The mesh pocket on the pad can hold up to four large-sized diapers. There is also enough room to store creams and anything else you might need. The front zippered pocket can also hold your cell phone, hand sanitizer, chapstick, and other items you might need to grab frequently.
This pad also has a strap that you can use to attach it to a stroller or carry it by hand.
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That is a helpful little cushion that you can wipe down no matter what gross things your baby does while on it. The design is simple, incorporating high sides, a safety belt, and a comfy surface. It is a little pricey, but you do not need to purchase covers.
This fun product comes in a few different colors. Its base grips any surface so that it won’t move around. It is also comfortable to use and puncture-resistant. It means that it will be clean and safe even after extended use.
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This pad can be a good solution if you don’t have a changing table. It has four raised sides, so you don’t need a table. You may also keep it in a closet when you’ve replaced the pad.
It is a safe baby bouncer that you can use on an elevated surface. It has contoured walls and a safety strap. The cushioning is double layered, making it durable.
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This one-piece design by Bumbo is a perfect polyurethane pod to change your little stinker on without worrying they’ll stain any cute pad covers. It’s a simple piece of gear that looks modern, and you clean better than a foam or fabric pad.
The seat is soft and easy to sit in. The baby is also kept safe by a belt. Like the Bumbo seats, the material is easy to clean.
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This Summer Infant Quickchange is big enough to protect your baby, but it can fold up into your diaper bag. It folds up neatly, and it has a Velcro tab so that it will not open.
Although it is thin, this product is thick enough to give your baby some comfort when being changed on hard surfaces. The material is easy-to-wipe plastic, making it easy to clean up any messes.
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This product is a spacious clutch and a storage space for your essentials. It has two pockets- one large mesh pocket that can fit diapers, creams, and wipes, and one front zip pocket for holding things like sanitizer, keys, your phone, and your wallet.
The changing mat is 23.5 by 21.75 inches, which is big enough to fit most babies up to a year old. The surface is easy to wipe clean, so you can use it again after changing your baby’s diaper.
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How Many Changing Pads Do I Need?
You should have two different changing pads: a portable one that you can fold up and put in your diaper bag and a more solid one that you can use at home.
How to Use a Changing Pad Safely
1. To begin, install the pad correctly according to the instructions. Using any supplied fasteners, firmly anchor the pad to the surface and test it to ensure it is secure.
2. If you’re using a cover for your changing pad, pre-wash it and attach it.
3. Make sure your safety belt works and adjust it to the correct length.
4. If your floor is slippery, you may use a non-slip mat to make it safer.
5 Check the safety of your home before changing your baby. Can they pull anything down on themselves, or are there any sharp edges they could get injured on?
6. The first time you use the changing pad, lay your baby down and strap them in. Change their diaper and then unfasten the strap. Make sure they’re fully clothed before you unhook them.
7. Store your diapering supplies within reach to constantly watch your baby while you change their diaper.
How to Wash a Changing Pad
How you wash your changing mat will depend on the kind of mat you have and the material it is made from. Most manufacturers will clearly outline any laundering instructions.
- For plastic, contoured pads: After every diaper change, you should clean up using antibacterial wipes, a small amount of detergent, or a weak bleach solution. If you have a spritz bottle, you can use that to help clean up.
- For foam pads: You can wash the pad covers in your washing machine like normal, but you should avoid washing the mat itself. Because it might get ruined. Instead, you should wipe it down thoroughly and let it air dry to prevent any staining. You could also try vacuuming the pad.
- Pads with softer fills: There are different ways to wash a carpet. You can use a machine or your hands. Some people use vinegar, bleach, or stain remover to get rid of any dirt or stains.
- Use an antibacterial wipe or a wet cloth with bleach to clean it up. After that, set it out to dry in the sun. Avoid putting synthetic clothing in the washing machine, mainly if most fabric is produced.
Best Changing Pads to Keep Babies Safe and Clean
With babies requiring ten to twelve daily diapers, a changing mat is vital for the nursery. A changing pad is an item of equipment that should make diaper changes as safe and comfortable as possible for your infant. And it must be user-friendly (and clean).
Several variables must be examined before buying to guarantee that the changing pad fulfills your and your child’s needs. Whether safety is your primary concern or you are seeking an organic product, you can rest assured that the ideal changing mat exists. When analyzing products, we examined the material and several other variables, such as price, design, simplicity of cleaning, and safety instructions.
Here are the comfiest changing pads available to make diaper changes more comfortable for everyone.
In terms of a changing pad, nothing beats the Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad for its combination of safety, comfort, convenience, and affordability. The quilted, double-layered vinyl is incredibly easy to clean. The high contoured sides and silky cushioning provide comfort and security for the infant. A security strap is underneath the changing pad to keep it in place on a stable changing table. A top strap can secure a fussy or wriggling infant during a diaper change.
Summer Infant’s changing pad is made of lightweight but strong material. The universal disposable cover fits the changing pad well and stays in place on most standard changing tables.
Dimensions: 32.5″ x 16.5″ x 4″ | Materials: Quilted, double layered PEVA vinyl | Safety straps: Yes
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Numerous parents praise the Keekaroo’s ergonomic shape, making it comfortable for infants and resistant to cracks, discoloration, and stains. It is nearly impervious to liquids and messes during diaper changes because of its soft but solid surface.
According to parents, the Keekaroo is stable enough to be utilized on a dresser or ordinary table. Without acquiring a separate diaper changing station for your child. The slip-resistant base of this table keeps it solid and stable.
The price of the Keekaroo Peanut Changer, which is heavier than most other changing pads, is the single big drawback. Nonetheless, many customers believe it’s worth it because it saves them time and energy with its simple cleanup and long-lasting durability. That is suitable for a second or third child.
Dimensions: 32″ x 17″ x 4″ | Materials: Polyurethane foam | Safety straps: Yes
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Does your infant have delicate skin? Prefer all-natural items exclusively? The Naturepedic Four-Sided Contoured Changing Pad satisfies all specifications. Organic cotton fills the Naturepedic changing pad, making it hypoallergenic and non-irritating. It is made of organic cotton fabric with a polyethylene covering that is safe for food contact.
The pad contains no potentially hazardous, harmful, or irritating substances: phthalates, formaldehyde, genetically modified organisms, latex, soy, vinyl, polyurethane foam, and flame retardants are absent. It complies with the GREENGUARD and Global Organic Textile Standards’ organic and sustainable requirements. 12
The thick padding and high contoured sides of the Naturepedic changing mat keep infants and toddlers safe, secure, and comfortable. The Naturepedic pad measures approximately 16.5 x 31.5 x 4 inches and has a one-year warranty. According to parents, it is durable and long-lasting, and its design minimizes rolling and squirming.
Dimensions: 16.5″ x 31.5″ x 4″ | Materials: organic cotton 100% | Safety straps: Yes
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The LA Baby Waterproof 4-Sided Cocoon Style Changing Pad will set your mind at ease if safety is your primary concern. It features a slip-resistant base, four high-contoured sides, a safety harness with a quick-release buckle, and two screws for mounting it more firmly. In addition, it is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, anti-microbial, phthalate-free, and waterproof. Even if the changing pad has added safety features, you should never leave your child unattended.
Additionally, many parents prefer this changing pad because, at approximately 30 inches in length, it fits changing tables that other changing pads cannot. However, while inexpensive, some parents report that it soon began to crack or the material was not as sturdy as they had hoped. So it may need to be replaced.
Dimensions: 30″ x 16″ x 4″ | Materials: Vinyl cover, polyester fill | Safety straps: Yes
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How We Selected the Best Changing Pads
We selected the best changing pads by reading user and competitor reviews and analyzing the features of dozens of changing pads available on the market. When making our selections, we examined style, features, pricing, ease of cleaning, material, and safety.
How to Evaluate a Changing Pad
Design
When changing a child’s diaper, the pad should be safe and comfortable for the child to use. Look for changing mats with features such as a three-sided or contoured design and extra padding to keep infants comfortable and protect their heads.
“Choose a baby changing pad with a concave top. This not only provides additional comfort and padding and may also increase security, “Dr. Orajiaka says.
Waterproof Protection
Anything can (messily) occur with babies, so the changing pad must provide waterproof protection. Some changing pads include a waterproof cover or can be easily wiped clean. You only need to ensure that no liquid may leak into the pad, resulting in mildew or mold.
Whether the changing pad or the cover is waterproof, verify the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. “Changing locations are prime viral and bacterial breeding grounds. Urine and feces are regarded unclean, and if they are not removed from a surface, they can serve as a breeding ground for most bugs, “explains Dr. Orajiaka. “When you repeatedly set a newborn on an unclean surface, they risk developing rashes and irritations. However, infants touch all surfaces and place their hands in their mouths. This can also put kids at risk for contracting these illnesses.”
Safety Straps
Look for a changing mat with safety straps, which are essential for keeping your baby secure during diaper changes as you browse. Many changing pads have adjustable straps and a buckle to be sized appropriately.
Some changing pads include anchoring straps, allowing you to secure them to a table or dresser for added safety when changing your baby. “Safety restraints are advised. If feasible, consider ones with two adjustable straps; one to secure the infant to the table and the other to secure the baby to the strap, “Dr. Orajiaka recommends.
Read more: Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers: Which Kind Should I Use?
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Changing Pad
Velcro is an excellent way to keep a changing pad attached to a dresser top. Put large pieces of Velcro on the four corners of the dresser top. Then, attach the other side of the Velcro to the changing pad.
You should have two changing pads—one for when you are on the go and one at home. Remember to never leave your baby alone on a changing table or pad, even if they are strapped in.
It makes sense that a mattress company would make a changing pad. The pad’s sturdy vinyl coating makes it comfy, waterproof, and hypoallergenic. It comes with a baby safety strap and a non-skid bottom to keep it in place.
Changing pads and covers can rapidly become soiled. Make it a practice to wash yours regularly and replace it as soon as it becomes discolored. Wash the diaper pad cover periodically is also an excellent way to stop your kids from swapping germs.
