Contoured changing pad - do I need one?

dpluvsrg

I am not getting a changing table.  The baby's room has a window seat area that I could use if I wanted.  I honestly just planned to use a light weight changing pad (like ones that come with a diaper bag) on the floor.  BUT...

We went to register and every list of what to buy/register for says contoured changing pad and covers.  I can buy into the pad since it has a little belt on it.  However, the covers are all terry cloth and velour.  Really?  This just seems like they will get dirty/gross really fast. 

So, moms, do I need this item?  Do I need covers?  Any advice is appreciated! TIA! 

bethCT

You know, everyone told me not to bother with a changing table because you end up changing baby on the floor or your own bed.  But we got her a tall dresser so I wanted a changing table (with the contour pad) and after 15 months I have yet to change her on the floor or our bed!  I think it comes down to what you prefer.  I love having the changing table and the pad keeps her in pace, which helps.  The one that came with my diaper bag is so thin, and the changing pad is very comfy - especially with the terry pad!  And you want terry because it is like  washcloth and absorbs any moisture.  Oh and we never once use the little belt   Maybe the chnaging pad on the window seat?  I just really like the thicker contoured pad personally.

lzybeanie

If you are getting the contour changing pad, then yes I would get the covers. The plastic on the pad isn't the most comfortable and the covers will keep the pee/poop from getting into the seams of the stitching. Plus they're easy to wash - just get a few throw them in the washer if they get dirty. Cleaning the pad isn't as easy. I also use some of those flannel waterproof lap pads on top of the cover - helps extend the time between cover washes!

I did use the belt on the contour pad BUT it won't do you much good if you don't have it fastened to anything other than the baby. If it's just sitting on the window seat and she rolls, she'll just take the contour pad with her when she's strong enough. My pad is attached to our changing table so if she rolls, she can't pull the entire changing table down with her.

I know you're not asking for opinions about whether to get a changing table or not, but I'd think about those first few weeks when you're recovering...are you going to want to be getting up and down from the floor every time the baby needs a diaper change? In my case, I tried changing DD on the floor a few times and she's all over the place. She stays put on the changing table - but that's probably b/c it's what she's used to. At any rate, the window seat seems like a good option if there's enough room and it's convenient. But don't get a false sense of security with the contour pad belt.

Good luck!

Allie30

I'm attaching one of those contour pads to the top of my dresser but I'm with you on the terry changing covers. WTH are they thinking? I want something plastic, like that comes with my travel changing pad.

chloeelyn

We didnt buy a chaning table at first. We used two dressers pushed together and put a countoured changing pad on top. Once the baby was here the dressers were too high and it was hard to change him. We bought a changing table off craigslist for $25. And I love it and still do.

Once Ian was here (we have a town home) we bought a second countored pad to have downstairs to change him on. I liked it being off the floor and it was clean and his little area to be changed. Better than the floor with cat hair or whatever.

We have this cover, which I love. It is so soft and we just wash it once a week. https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2636169

We still change him on the pads even now and he is 18 months old.

MarcyIam

We have the contoured pad on the top of his dresser and always change him there.  Have never done it anywhere else.  We find it so much easier to be standing and change him at that level than bending over more/being on the floor - especially with DH's back issues.

And we don't have any cover - we find it so much easier to just wipe the plastic cover if anything gets on it.  Voila, done!

 

carolrohrsetzer

I have the changing pad on top of a dresser and we use it at all times when changing DD, she loves to lay on the pad and it actually calms her down, lately tummy and playing time are done on the changing pad too. We also used to let her sleep in our bed a couple of nights because it was the only place she would relax and sleep when her nose was stuffy.

We have the velour covers and they are really comfy for her but as soon as we got home from the hospital we learned that accidents happen and everytime we changed her she would get the covers dirty so I went to BRU and got the changing pad paper cover that we put on top of the velour cover and it doesn't get dirty anymore because in case she poops or pees it stays on  the paper cover and we can just take that off and throw away.

CrazyToast

We got the pad - and I haven't had any experience with it yet, but I already love the whole concept!  I got changing pad covers in terry and they seem so nice and soft.  They'll be really easy to throw in the wash to clean up!

laurasue

We got the chamois changing pad covers from PBK and love them. We haven't gotten them messy yet because we also fold a recieving blanket on the pad where her butt goes. Our LO hates how cold she can get while changing so I know the plastic pad only wouldn't go over well with her.