You have children. Your car is filled with toys. Your clothes are covered in spit-up. And the leather couch that sits at the center of your living room? Cheetos live there now. Yep, once you have kids, your nice things become not-so-fancy. But a changing pad is here to help! A changing pad won’t assure your things stay pristine, but they will assure that they stay crap-free.
Why Buy a Changing Pad – Is a Changing Pad Worth It?
As mentioned above, one of the biggest reasons to buy a changing pad is that it provides a platform upon which to lie your baby during a diaper change. However, there are several other reasons too. A changing pad helps contain messes – it protects your car, your carpet, your bed, and your sanity! Changing pads are also easy to clean – the three magic words of mother and fatherhood.
Changing pads keep babies safe and contained – while you may see diaper changes as necessities, your little one might not. They may wiggle, roll, flip, and try to crawl away during the diaper change. A changing pad prevents this.
Changing pads that are portable also protect your baby from coming into contact with the dirt, grime, and bacteria of public baby changing stations. Even if you can’t see the germs, rest assured: they’re there.
All of this makes changing pads instrumental to a diaper change that is stress free for the parents and comfortable for the kids.
So, with that in mind, what are some of the best changing pads on the market today? They include:
Best Changing Pads 2021:
Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad
This changing pad is made of quilted vinyl and is 100% waterproof. It has contour walls and a quick release safety belt. It also offers a non-skid bottom and fits most standard changing tables.
Parents like that this pad works well and fits with standard covers. It secures the baby efficiently and can be mounted to a table or dresser. It’s easy to clean and the price is a benefit too. It’s also durable, with parents reporting that it lasts two years or longer.
Parents dislike that the pad comes with a slight plastic/chemical smell. The pad also has tiny holes where pee and poop can enter, permanently leaving the pad somewhat stained when this happens.
Keekaroo Peanut Changer
This product is easy to clean and features a protective layer to allow for immediate cleaning and limiting of bacteria growth. It’s soft to the touch, crack and fracture resistant, impermeable to fluids, and BPA-free.
The pros include that this is a heavy pad of high quality (the heaviness helps it stay in place no matter how much your baby wiggles). It does repel liquids as advertised and is very useful for parents who want quick diaper changes with minimal clean up. It doesn’t need a cover, either, a feature that saves you money and laundry detergent!
The cons include that staining occurs fairly easily. It’s also a bit cold on the baby’s skin and the price is higher than some parents are willing to pay (but you don’t have to buy a separate cover!).
Bumbo Contoured Baby Diaper Changing Pad
This product is ergonomically shaped and easy to clean. It offers high side support with maximum comfort and security.
Parents enjoy that this pad is high quality and wipes down with ease. The color is bright and visually appealing, and the straps are an ideal way to keep the baby from escaping. The price is a bonus too. Like the product above, this one doesn’t need a cover.
Parents don’t enjoy that there is no built-in slope to move the pee away from the baby (for the inevitable times when the baby will pee during the diaper change). The pad is also short, meaning babies may grow out of it quicker than desired.
PooPoose Wiggle Free Diaper Changing Pad
This product features swaddle-like straps aimed at calming the baby during the diaper change. It’s soft, with high-quality contoured foam and it’s easy to clean. It’s made of non-toxic materials and fits most standard changing tables.
The perks of this pad are that liquid is not absorbed – it wipes off easily. It’s high quality and the straps can be removed to be washed. It’s durable and comfortable for the infant. But the biggest advantage is the wiggle-free feature (as the name insinuates). It holds babies in place, even those who fancy themselves excellent escape artists.
The drawbacks are the high price and some parents have reported issues with the Velcro – it’s loud and startling for the child.
LA Baby Waterproof 4 Sided Cocoon Style Changing Pad
This product features a four-sided design with waterproof vinyl covers. It fits most changing tables and dresser tops and comes with screws for mounting. It also has a quick release safety belt.
Parents rave about the four-sided design: this helps keep babies from rolling out. It fits securely on changing tables and screws in easily. It works especially well in smaller spaces and works with standard covers.
Parents rant that not all parts of the pad – the straps and the vinyl cover – are removable for wash. The pad may also slide off easily when placed on a surface that is smooth wood.
Best Portable Changing Pads 2020:
MoBaby Portable Changing Pad
This portable pad features a zipper pouch for creams, diapers, wipes, and other supplies. It also has a padded headrest and it folds up easily. It comes with a strap for carrying.
Parents find benefit in the size – it’s large enough to cover most public baby changing stations. And the pad is comfortable. It’s also easy to wipe clean, washable and the extra headrest is nice.
Parents find drawbacks with the thinness of the pad as well as the bulk – when folded up, it tends to take up lots of room in a diaper bag. It’s also pricier than some other options.
Skip Hop Pronto Signature Portable Changing Pad
This product features an extra-wide pad with a cushioned headrest (or “pronto pillow”). It cleans easily and has a large mesh pocket, front zipper pocket, and wipes case.
Parents love the clips – you can clip this to a stroller or strap it to your wrist. It’s high quality with strong fabric and plastic that isn’t too hard for the baby. It has a fair amount of cushion and provides a convenient alternative to lugging around a giant diaper bag.
Parents don’t love the red carrying case or the wipes container. The pad is also a little on the short side and, while most of it is waterproof, the outside is not.
Baby Portable Changing Pad by MikiLife
This product features a diaper clutch strip for one-hand operation. It’s made of 100% flannel fabric and anti-bacterial materials. It’s waterproof with a built-in cushion.
The plusses of this product are the quality – it’s easy to fold, sleek, and stylish. The color works for either boys or girls and it’s easy to clean.
The minuses include the padding – it’s thinner than desired. The pad may also be too small for some parents – their babies may outgrow it quickly if they’re on the bigger size.
Changing pads – both nonportable and portable – are must buys for mom and dad. Those featured above excel at protecting your baby while protecting your things from your baby’s bowels. You just can’t beat security like that!
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