Diaper time calls for high levels of hygiene for your baby as well as your furniture. When preparing your baby's nursery, you need to plan for the best changing pad to keep your baby safe while making diaper duty easier.
What is a Changing Pad?
A diaper changing pad is an essential feature of your baby's nursery; it is a soft pad designed to arrest leaks and accidental messes when changing your baby's diapers. Changing pads can be placed on a changing table or dresser or any other surface that will be safe for the job.
Are you wondering why a changing pad is important at all? Well, your baby needs comfort and safety when changing diapers, and a pad is ideal for the thousands of diaper changes they will have. In addition, a diaper changing pad comes with extra features like contoured designs that adjust to the baby's body for maximum comfort, safety straps and belts, and even non-skid bottoms.
When buying the best changing pads, you can choose with design, portability, and length of usage in mind, which is where the challenge lies. You will find dozens of changing pads in the market, and all are marketed as the best. Thus, choosing just one will prove to be a hectic task, and this is where we come in.
We have searched the internet and come up with five of the best-reviewed diaper changing pads you can get now. Read on and find which one suits you and your baby best, its pros and cons, and a few factors you will need to consider before buying the pad.
1. Summer Contoured Changing Pad
- COMFORTABLE–The Summer Contoured Changing Pad features a soft, foam pad that is comfortable for baby, so changing time is a breeze for baby and parents!
- SECURE –The two high, curved sides and quick release safety belt keep baby comfortably and securely on the changing table pad.
- EASY TO CLEAN –The durable, quilted double layer PEVA vinyl in this wipeable changing pad is made of 100% waterproof material that can be quickly and easily wiped clean with a damp cloth to keep the changing area germ free.
- FITS MOST STANDARD CHANGING PAD TABLES –The 16” x 32” diaper changing pad fits most standard changing pad tables, so you can easily match your nursery décor!
- SECURITY STRAP –The security strap underneath the changing pad keeps the pad securely attached to furniture, and the pad has a non-skid bottom.
The Summer Infant changing pad is everything you expect of the best changing pad. It guarantees safety, comfort, and hygiene and remains one of the most affordable options in the market.
When looking for a good changing pad, you need to keep your baby comfortable from head to toe. This changing pad comes in a contoured design so it can hug your baby's body. In addition, the easy-to-clean surface is made with soft, plush padding for added comfort.
Another important feature you need is compatibility with your diaper changing station. It comes with a security strap underneath you can fasten to your changing table so your fussy or wiggly infant will be kept secure. It also comes with a safety belt to keep your baby secure inside.
When changing your baby's diaper, you understand how messy the process can be; thus, an easy to clean surface is paramount. This Summer Infant changing pad is made with durable and waterproof quilted vinyl that is easy to wipe to remove any poop stain. If you want to prolong its lifetime, you can invest in disposable changing pad covers.
2. Munchkin Secure Grip Waterproof Diaper Changing Pad
- Xtra grip strips keep pad in place
- Safety straps and contoured sides keep baby secure
- Easy wipe surface for cleaning up messes
- Fits most dressers and changing tables, product measures 16 inches by 31 inches
- Meets all safety regulations. Material - polyurethane Foam Latex free
If you need the best changing pad for diaper time on changing tables, this Munchkin Secure Grip Waterproof changing pad is your best option. It is designed to fit on almost any table and features grip strips underneath it so our hyper baby won't slide off the table.
The changing pad is also contoured on the sides to keep your baby secure for easier diaper changes. In addition, it also comes with safety straps for more safety. Finally, the waterproof material is easy to wipe clean, so you don't have to worry about accidental messes while changing the diaper.
While affordable and visually appealing, some moms complain of a chemical smell that could make the experience uncomfortable for you and the baby.
3. LA Baby Contoured Waterproof Diaper Changing Pad
- PVC-Free Quilted outer cover is 100% waterproof, phthalate free, non-toxic, non-allergenic, stain resistant and Easy to keep clean with mild soap and water
- 4” high sides keep baby safe. Size: 32" x 16" x 4"
- Non-skid bottom prevents pad from sliding while changing baby.Anti microbial
- Safety harness for baby with a quick release buckle
- Includes security strap for holding changing pad to changing table or dresser top
When you need a guarantee of safety, this two-sided changing pad comes with 4-inch high sides plus non-skid bottom features to keep your baby secure. In addition, it also features a safety strap with a buckle to keep your baby locked in while you change them.
It is made with a clean, quilted outer cover that is easy to clean even after accidental messes. Additionally, the cover is safe for your baby's skin even when you don't use a changing pad cover; it is non-allergic, non-toxic, phthalate-free, and stain-resistant.
It is available in two sizes, made in the USA, and comes with a 1-year warranty.
4. Keekaroo Peanut Changer
- Pigskin leather and mesh upper
- Metal hook traditional lace closure
- Bellows tongue keeps out debris
- Protective toe cap
- Breathable mesh lining
The Keekaroo Peanut Changing pad is what you need for easy cleaning, safety, comfort, and durability. It is designed with an outer surface that keeps all fluids out, and in case of accidental messes, you will only need to wipe with soap and water.
Additionally, the sturdy changing pad is soft to the touch and designed ergonomically so your baby is comfortable when diapering them. This changing pad is also very durable; it is designed for hospitals, thus made with a puncture-resistant outer shell to withstand heavy use. It is your best bet for the thousand of times you will need to change your baby before they outgrow diapers.
Your baby's safety comes first, which is why this changing pad is slip-resistant and also comes with a security strap to keep your small baby safely locked in. It is also JPMA certified. The only dealbreaker with this changing pad is the price; you will find it costs as much as double the price of other changing pads.
5. Naturepedic Organic Changing Pad
You will need the best changing pad for your baby's sensitive skin, in this case, an organic option. The Naturepedic pad is constructed using hypoallergenic and non-irritating organic GOTS certified cotton filling and fabric with food-grade polyethylene waterproofing.
It is also a 4-sided contoured changing pad that offers plush and comfortable padding to keep your baby feeling good as you diaper them. In addition, this design will limit wiggling and rolling when you are changing the baby.
It comes in a standard size that will fit any changing station and features a safety buckle and screws for safer fastening. This pad also meets UL/GREENGUARD certifications with low chemical emissions during and after manufacturing.
Why are Changing Pads Important?
For most people, it is easier to line the bed with a towel or extra blanket for a makeshift diaper changing system. In most cases, this works just fine and won't prevent you from changing your baby's diaper. But, a changing pad comes with more advantages you might miss out on if using the bed.
- You will prevent damage to your furniture or bedding. Your baby's poop can leave a nasty stain on your expensive duvet. If you would like to prevent this, your best option is to use a changing pad with disposable changing pad covers.
- If you have limited space and don't want to change your baby on the bed, a changing pad makes a great solution as you can place it on the bed rather than investing in a new and space-consuming changing table.
- A changing pad is more comfortable for your baby. As you have noticed from the reviews above, the best changing pads come with ergonomic or contoured designs that keep your baby cozy while you diaper them. These positions are better and healthier than using a changing table or flat bed to change diapers.
- A changing pad is portable. While there are individual portable changing pads, you can also move bulkier pads from room to room or the changing table to the bed.
- Changing pads help your baby's nursery stay organized. Dirty diapers pose some risks for your baby, including diaper rashes and burns. One way to prevent this is diapering them on time, and to do so, you will need all products in one place. When you have a changing pad, you can put diapers, wipes, and oils in one place for the next change.
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Changing Pad for Your Baby
When you are ready to buy your baby a changing pad, some important factors come to play, such as;
a) Design
When changing your baby, you need to ensure they are comfortable. One important feature to get from a changing pad is head support. In addition, look for changing pads that have body-hugging features like contoured designs or three to four-sided construction.
Contoured designs help keep your baby calm when changing them, while a changing pad with a three or four-sided design prevents them from rolling when changing diapers.
b) Ease of cleaning
As you know, changing diapers can be messy, and your baby will not always warn you when they need to pee or poop. As such, your changing pads need to be easy to clean. When buying, look for a changing pad with a waterproof surface that will also not stain easily.
If you get a changing pad that is not waterproof, you can also buy a waterproof changing pad cover to use in all diaper changes.
c) Size
Depending on where you want to use a changing pad, you can get one in any size. For example, if you want a changing pad for your baby's nursery, you can go for a big size that will withstand continued use until your baby outgrows diapers.
Also, you can find portable changing pads or disposable changing pads that you can use when traveling. When buying, make sure the portable pad is also waterproof and cozy for your baby. It is also important for it to fit in your diaper bag for easy portability.
d) Safety straps
There's one thing your baby can't promise you through all their diaper changes, and that is to remain calm as you clean them. Thus, you need to ensure your changing pad will keep them calm and safe atop a table, dresser, or bed.
Changing pads come with various safety straps that you can fasten to the table, so it stays in place to keep your wiggly infant safe. Alternatively, you can also find a baby changing pad that features some non-skid slips at the bottom to prevent accidental falls.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Changing Pad
a) Is a changing pad necessary?
Before your baby outgrows diapers, you will have changed them thousands of times. A changing pad helps you make the process easier, even for the baby. It also helps you organize the nursery or have easier diaper changes when on the move.
b) How many changing pads will I need?
If you have one baby, it is best to have at least two pads to have backup in case one is soiled. However, if you invest in only one pad, it is best to buy an easy-to-clean changing pad cover to keep the changing station clean.
c) How do I wash the pad after the diaper change?
Cleaning is easy, but it also depends on which material the pad is made with. For instance, you can wipe plastic pads using soap and water or anti-bacterial wipes.
If you get a foam pad, it will come with machine washable covers, while you will only need to wipe the pad itself.
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