Portability: When you’re away from home, the best changing pad will fold easily to fit in your diaper bag. You don’t want to lug around the equivalent of a giant yoga mat. In the early days of having a newborn, there's something magical about how much time you spend staring at your baby and marvelling at how wonderful they are. This special time will be filled with a lot of nappy changes! Not much can prepare you for how many dirty and wet nappies you will change in those first few months and years of parenthood.

Straps: Some changing pads include straps for fastening it to the changing surface. This can be beneficial if your changing pad will be in a permanent location such as a changing table. We all know little ones can be rather wiggly during nappy changes. The raised sides are designed to help keep them in the centre of the changing mat to slow them down making the process smoother at changing time. We always recommend never leaving baby unattended on a high surface.Efficiency is key. Anna suggests "You may want to get a changing table for the nursery, to set up a station for nappy changing with everything you need in one place, or if you're out and about a lot you will probably want to get a portable changing mat and set up everything you need in your changing bag to make it comfortable and convenient to change baby on the go." Always wash your hands well after changing your baby's nappy to help prevent the spread of bacteria. The ideal changing mat for babies is padded and waterproof, with a surface that can be easily wipe-cleaned and a soft cotton washable cover for added comfort.

At Mumsnet, we know how important the right baby equipment is, and how an authentic recommendation from a fellow parent who's been in your shoes can be better than any expert opinion. That's why we obsessively research and review baby products to help you choose. Whether it's the best breast pump, the best baby bottles or the best changing bag you're looking for, you'll find honest, judgement-free advice from real parents right here. To adequately test each changing mat, it’s used for changing a lot of nappies, of different aged children. For newborns, we consider the comfort and support a changing mat delivers, to keep seemingly less-robust newborns warm and safe during changes. For slightly older, wriggly children, safety is a priority, and so we assess how well toddlers fared on anti-roll change mats. In addition, we consider how easy a changing mat is to keep thoroughly clean, and how long they’re likely to withstand daily use without splitting or falling apart. And when it comes to changing diapers at home or at others’ homes, without a changing pad, you may be left with a nasty mess on your changing surface that isn’t easy to clean.However you should NEVER leave your baby unattended when changing their nappy, even if you think they aren't mobile at all.

A change pad can be an essential item for any parent or caregiver for changing nappies or diapers at home, or when they are out and about. They provide a clean and comfortable surface for your baby to lie on, and they can help to keep your changing area clean and organized. For plastic, contoured pads: Simply wipe down using antibacterial wet wipes, a little detergent, or even a weak solution of bleach after each diaper change. Consider keeping a small spritz bottle in a diaper caddy to whip out when you’re finished. I can honestly say just get one which is nicely padded and the ones with sloping sides are handy when they start rolling. They're called 'wedge' shaped.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnetter Cherrybakewellard) Our verdictSometimes more expensive mats have a soft cotton cover, which is washable. This cotton cover makes the changing mat more comfortable for babies and also easy to keep clean. You'll be changing your baby's nappy several times a day, so having a clean, soft and comfortable surface is a must.

You may like pretty designs, but be warned, a baby changing mat has to be practical as well as good-looking and needs to be able to withstand a lot of mess! For foam pads: Cotton or polyester pad covers can be washed as usual in your washing machine, but avoid doing the same with the mat itself, as you’ll likely destroy it. Instead, thoroughly wipe it down, and allow it to air dry to prevent any staining. You could also try vacuuming the pad.You might be wary of buying unnecessary items for your baby, but a soft and comfortable changing mat or pad will be used several times a day! The best changing mats you can buy in 2023 1. Olli Ella Reva Baby Changing Basket: The best changing mat for style You'll need one changing mat in the nursery and also a smaller pad or mat that you can pop into a bag if you need to travel with your baby.