The Best Changing Pads for Safe and Comfortable Diaper Changes

Pros:

• Easy to clean

Cons:

• A bit wide for some dressers
• Some parents say the toy bar isn’t great
• Material can get chilly in colder weather

No table or cover needed here; this cushy pad offers your baby a snug spot for diaper changes and can be used atop a dresser, changing table or even on the floor. And since it’s made from a waterproof material, you can simply wipe it down for easy cleaning. The pad itself is about 18 inches at the widest point, so be sure to measure that against your dresser to make sure it’ll fit.

The changing pad may get a little chilly during cooler months due to the material—a few parents mentioned laying down a cloth to remedy this. And some parents say the slope causes any pee leaks to flow toward their baby, not away. A few people also noted some light staining after a few months of use. The toy bar looks cute but it’s not oriented in a way that’s ideal for baby to check out. It also tends to get in the way while changing but you can remove it.

Real Parent Reviews

“This is a must-have for any nursery!! We love our changing pad and how easy it is to wipe down. Our son has spit up all over it and peed all over it and it’s so easy to clean up. I would highly recommend spending the extra money to get this wipeable changing pad over a regular changing pad any day.” — Ashlyn T.

“Super easy to clean after each change! The only problem is that it does take up a bit of room but I still love the design and material of the pad! The toy bar is nice also for a distraction for the baby but can get in the way of the changing so just be careful with that!” — Jthai

“I really love the color (Oat)!! The only place I found it was here in babylist. It is a little wider than normal, but I measured my dresser and it fits perfectly!! Make sure you measure it before you buy it. It comes with some stickers to apply to the dresser so it doesn’t move. The quality looks great and it’s very soft. I am very excited [about] it and I recommend it if your dresser is wide enough.” — Marina O.

Pros:

• Machine washable cover
• Sloped sides keep baby in place
• Budget-friendly

Cons:

• Pad itself isn’t waterproof
• Must be used with cover
• Can’t buy extra covers

With its high curved sides, safety belt and a security strap for furniture, this pad helps keep your little one safe during diaper changes—all at an ultra-affordable price. It fits on most changing tables and has a waterproof pad and a soft, breathable, odor-resistant cover. Some parents say the pad is a bit thin and they were disappointed they couldn’t buy a few additional covers to rotate while the others are in the wash.

Real Parent Reviews

“Only the cover is waterproof. This is great for most accidents… but not all… I wish it came with more than one cover so you could alternate them when one is in the wash because the pad inside is not actually waterproof. The sides are a nice height to keep baby from rolling and this is large enough to use with toddlers, too. And the durability of this seems high. I fully expect it to last through multiple kids.” — tcpokim

“The pad works great. It stays in place, contours are good to keep baby where he needs to be. However, there are no replacement covers. I was hoping to buy at least one backup cover.” —T

Pros:

• Waterproof + antimicrobial surface
• Slightly sloped; accidents flow away from baby
• Sleek design is aesthetically pleasing

Cons:

• Some parents noted a strong smell when new

If you’re looking for aesthetic baby gear that also gets the job done, look no further than this change pad from Milou. It’s made with nontoxic PU foam—with a waterproof, antimicrobial surface—that is super easy to wipe clean. The slight slope from head to toe ensures any accidental pee or poop spills flow away from your baby (and their clothes). The raised edges and safety straps make sure baby stays safe and secure during changes.

Real Parent Reviews

“Loved the neutral color of this changing pad that easily fits into any nursery. When looking for changing pads, the most important thing I looked for is that the product is easy to wipe clean, instead of putting a changing cover over since we know that messes can happen every day and face it, there is already endless laundry. It is waterproof and seems durable but we have not used it long enough to know if it will stain over time. It is a little bit soft but not quite as soft as some other changing pads out there. I also love that it’s sleek and is curved to keep baby safe. Finally, there are safety straps too for added security but we haven’t used it yet. I think it’s overall a great changing pad and would make a good baby shower gift!” — Anna

“Very well-made cushion for my baby. My 11-month-old moves around a lot when being changed and this pad protects her from any bumps. It is very easy to wipe clean after spills or messes. The color and style fit perfectly in the nursery. Sometimes I use an absorbent pad to catch any unexpected pee or have a warmer surface for baby. While it is packaged very nicely and you can tell the top-notch quality, there is an offensive chemical smell that took days to air out. Sturdy yet soft, this is a very well-made pad that will stand up for use after use. It is easier to lay my baby down knowing the amount of cushion protects her head and body. It fits snugly and perfectly on the changing table with no wasted space. I like knowing I can clean this pad easily with no hidden germs because of the material and sleek design. Would recommend as a gift for a baby shower and recommend airing out in the garage before use.” — Aefred01

Pros:

• Wipes clean
• Connects to an app to keep track of baby’s weight

Cons:

• Pricey
• Requires batteries
• Some say the scale is inaccurate

If you want to make sure your baby is gaining weight, especially during those first few months, this high-tech (and wipe-clean) changing pad features a built-in wireless scale to give you peace of mind that baby’s weight gain is on track. The changing pad pairs with Hatch’s Grow smartphone app to make weight tracking simple and seamless (though some parents say the scale isn’t totally accurate). This is on the pricier side of change pads, but may be ideal for parents of preemies or if you just want to keep a close eye on your baby’s weight gain in the early weeks and months.

Real Parent Reviews

“We love our hatch scale! We had a preemie and making sure he was gaining weight was super important. This scale is easy to get connected and we’ve found the app/weighing process very user-friendly. The scale is 2 ounces lighter than our pediatrician’s but is very consistent. We recommend, especially for breastfed and/or weight critical babies.” — Emma H.

“I don’t regularly use the scale feature anymore. I used to use it all the time when my child was exclusively breastfeeding and I wanted to know about how much he was eating in a feeding. But now I bottle feed as well as breastfeed and find that I don’t use the scale function as much. The pad is great for those first few months when you’re not sure how much your baby is eating once you stop using that function. The app also has great features that allow you to track other stuff like feedings and pumping.” — Emily

Pros:

• Ultra-portable
• Fits in most diaper bags

Cons:

• Bulky when fully packed

Don’t want to deal with a traditional changing table or dresser? This compact changing clutch turns any location (think floor, bed, couch or even car trunk—we’ve done it all!) into a diaper-changing station. Features include an extra-wide, cushioned changing pad with a pillow, a mesh pocket, a zippered front pocket and a wipes case. This changing station is also great for stowing in your diaper bag for diapering on the go. Just be sure it’ll fit when fully stocked—some parents say it gets bulky when filled.

Real Parent Reviews

“Love this thing. Keep it in [the] diaper bag or use it alone when trying to go somewhere with minimal stuff.” — Ashley O.

“We don’t use this very often as both of our diaper bags ended up having a changing pad, but it is extremely functional with good storage. We keep it in our living room diaper caddy and use it for changing out there, which are rare, but nice to have the option!” — Courtney

“I can change my baby anywhere and because of all the pockets, have everything from extra clothes to ointments right on hand. And it’s easy and simple to wipe clean when needed. It can get bulky depending on what you store inside so make sure it fits in your baby bag if you plan to carry a lot of other things too. If you prefer a wipe dispenser with a “pop top” you’ll have to buy one separately. The wipe dispenser that comes with this is a basic snap to close, so the wipes do stick together.” — Caitlin