Products

An essential item for your newborn to 12-month-old's nappy and clothes changing when at home. It certainly helps keep baby comfortable if you have a padded but firm surface to put them down. When you are done the mat should be easy to wipe down or replace the cover if it needs to be washed.

When at home, you might want a dedicated change table with a padded change mat on top, or you can just buy the change mat and use it on a table, bench or on the floor (whilst you kneel down in front). It could be handy to have more than one change station set up in the house such as one in a bedroom or bathroom and another in a living area. You never know when a poo-mergency will hit!

What to look for:

- Design:

• Compatible size for where you want to use it. eg. if you need it to fit on a changing table, make sure the sizing is right.
• Padded surface mat which will keep baby comfortable 
• Easy to clean
• Colour: Usually white as standard with option to add colour by purchasing and fitting a cover

- Safety:

• Raised side wings may help prevent your baby from rolling off - most mats will have this shape
• A strap/belt can help to prevent baby from rolling but will usually not be attached to the mat, but on the changing table itself and extend around the mat. If the strap is through the mat, this creates gaps in the mat surface that can be harder to clean. If it has a strap/buckle, ensure you can unclasp and clasp it with one hand.
• Always ensure you are supervising and have one hand on your baby when using any change mat above ground level

- Materials:

• Easy to wipe down, waterproof, and durable surface is the most practical option. Some are foam covered in waterproof smooth vinyl type material and others are a firmer moulded foam or rubber product.
• Consider if you need some absorbent disposable or reusable options as alternatives for times when extra hygiene precautions are needed such as during gastric illness or after the oral Rotavirus vaccine
• If you choose a non-waterproof washable cover option, buy 2 or more so you always have a spare while the other/s is/are being washed. Also, look for a water-repellant fabric that can be wiped down with light soiling and won't absorb every liquid. If you want to cover the mat with something absorbent or have something absorbent on hand, try cloth nappy squares.

What to avoid:

- Avoid if there is a strong smell to the product foam or surface material as it may indicate it is made with poor quality materials and chemicals

- A flimsy change surface material and poorly sealed seams will get holes, cracks and splits to become unhygienic over time and require replacement

- Avoid clasps that are fiddly and require finger strength beyond what you can manage

- Avoid highly absorbent washable change mat covers - they will forever be in the wash!