Best Changing Pads
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- Best Affordable Changing Pad : Summer Contoured Changing Pad
- Best Changing Pad for Infants : L.A. Baby 4-Side Changing Pad
- Best Changing Pad with Toy : Skip Hop Wipe Clean Changing Pad
- Best Basic Changing Pad : Graco V2 Premium Contoured Changing Pad
- Best Changing Pad Without Cover : Keekaroo Peanut changer
- Best Portable Changing Pad : Lil Fox Portable Diaper Changing Pad
Welcome to your new role: A changer of So. Many. Diapers. Along with a diaper station stacked high with diapers, wipes and diaper cream, you’ll want the fourth hero of changing: a changing pad.
A changing pad will serve as a nice, cushiony spot where your baby will feel comfortable laying down. She might not always like changes, but at least you know she’s well supported. This nursery must-have also helps keep baby put — you’ll soon learn that your little one will suddenly get super squirmy when it’s time for diaper duty. Many of these pads go best with an added (and super cute) changing pad cover as another layer of protection. Often, that can be a great thing because you can buy the cover that suits your nursery decor best.
Choosing the best changing pad for your baby’s nursery
You’ll soon discover that there are a ton of options, and they may appear the same. That is, at first. These are the features you should look for:
- Easy to clean. Look for material like foam, vinyl or polyurethane, which will resist absorbing pee and poop so that you can simply wipe it up and be on your way.
- Well-cushioned. It needs to feel nice for baby to lay on, something that will help her stay calm.
- Secure. There should be a non-skid bottom or straps that secure around furniture, as well as a strap that goes around baby’s middle. This is very important to reduce the risk of roll-off falls.
Here, the best changing pads you can add to your baby registry that you’ll use far more than you could ever imagine. Check out our picks below and get ready for those dirty diapers.
Best Affordable Changing Pad
Summer Contoured Changing Pad
This changing pad has everything you need to feel good about changing your baby on top of a dresser, including a safety strap on top to keep her secure and a safety strap that can attach the pad to furniture, too. Even though you’ll be putting a cover on top (and it is the perfect blank slate for the cutest cover you can find), it’s also reassuring that the pad’s vinyl material won’t absorb messes and nicely wipes off.
Weight: 2.1 pounds
Dimensions: 32 x 16 x 3.5
Best Changing Pad for Infants
L.A. Baby 4-Side Changing Pad
This four-sided cocoon style changing pad is built with four-inch sides all around, which nestles baby in while you change her. It’s best for younger babies, as they may grow too long by the time they reach 1-year old. Still, you’ll like the security this pad offers. The quilted vinyl cover is cozy but also cleans up quickly.
Weight: 3 pounds
Dimensions: 30 x 16 x 4 inches
Best Changing Pad with Toy
Skip Hop Wipe Clean Changing Pad
Diaper change with a side of entertainment? Yes, please. This changing pad is outfitted with a convenient toy bar with a cute little sun and cloud mobile to keep baby amused while you do the dirty work. What’s more, the foam pad is pretty great, too, because it’s easy to wipe off and stays put on the dresser sans sliding. It’s also a generous size to accommodate baby as she grows.
Weight: 5 pounds
Dimensions: 31.51 x 18.25 x 2.5 inches
Best Basic Changing Pad
Graco V2 Premium Contoured Changing Pad
The Graco V2 Premium Contoured Changing Pad is sized to fit most changing table stations, which is a huge plus when you already have your nursery furniture selected. Parents like how it keeps its shape after countless changes, is durable and soft to keep baby happy. The padded, covered buckle is also gentle on baby’s belly. In terms of clean up, this one is stain- and water-resistant and happy parents say it dries completely between changes.
Weight: 1.46 pounds
Dimensions: 32 x 16 x 3 inches
Best Changing Pad Without Cover
Keekaroo Peanut changer
While it’s on the pricier side, this is a perennial mom must-have thanks to the polyurethane pad that makes it resistant to messes. Some wayward pee? It’ll wipe clean in a flash. What’s more, the pad is well-cushioned and comfortable for your little squish. It’s also non-slip, and the pad itself is a pretty hefty weight, so it’s not going to slide when placed on top of a dresser. The walled sides and contoured shape keep baby in place, too.
Weight: 7 lbs
Dimensions: 32 x 17 x 4 inches
Best Portable Changing Pad
Lil Fox Portable Diaper Changing Pad
If you can’t be at home, at least make diaper changes bearable for you and your baby. This portable changing pad has it all, including a memory foam pillow for her head and diaper and wipes storage. (It holds five diapers and a full pack of wipes!) What’s more, the portable pad attaches to a stroller via strap, and it only takes one hand to whip open and set up — a must when you’re on the go.
Weight: 7 oz.
Dimensions: 13.8 x 8.4 x 1.6 inches
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