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Should You Use a Changing Mat?
There is an ongoing debate over the use of baby changing tables and whether or not they are necessary. As with most things relating to babies, it comes down to personal choice. You have to decide whether you have space for a changing table—which will need a changing mat—or if you’ll need to go without a dedicated space and do nappy changes wherever possible. Either way, a baby change mat is essential. Let’s look at some of the options.
A waterproof cover is essential in a changing mat. Changing nappies is a messy business, so having a waterproof surface that is easy to clean will save you many messes and tears. A contoured design with raised sides helps cushion the baby and prevents them from rolling off. Changing mats offer safety, peace of mind and convenience.
Baby Changing Mats with Changing Tables
You will be changing nappies for at least the first two years of your baby’s life—at least eight times a day. That is a lot of time spent with poop. If you’re fortunate enough to be able to dedicate a space for your baby, your furniture needs should include a changing table.
Most changing tables perform double duty as storage solutions, with either drawers or cabinets underneath the top surface. A changing table offers the advantage that it’s a comfortable height, which will help prevent back ache.
The changing mat will come in handy here, providing a soft surface for the baby to lie on. It’s also contoured to avoid the baby from rolling off. Peekaboo Baby has a nifty shnuggle squishy foam rubber waterproof changing mat that offers the added benefit of being easy to clean and can be used on changing tables and other surfaces.
Wall-mounted, foldable changing tables are a great space-saving alternative to a standing changing table. You can have the best of both worlds with a waterproof baby change mat from Peekaboo Baby.
Alternatives to Changing Tables
If a changing table isn’t on the cards for you, whether from personal choice or limited space, having a baby changing mat that moves with you can work just as well. Modern changing mats fold open to accommodate wipes, lotion and nappies. The bonus is that they can be used wherever you need them. Portable changing mats fold everything together and are quick if you’re on the move a lot.
Most stylish nappy bags come equipped with a travel changing mat to use wherever you and your baby need it. Look at the wide range of nappy changing stations on offer at Peekaboo Baby from top designers like Storksak and Babymel. These changing mats fold into a sleek clutch bag with a wrist strap, easy to grab and go if you’re short on space or time. A comfortable baby is a happy baby, so some changing mats even offer a soybean filling to offer a comfortable surface for nappy changes.
Nappy Bags and Changing Mats
Any nappy bag worth its salt should have its own changing mat. The nappy bag is designed for both the mother’s and baby’s needs. Look out for many pockets, both inside and outside, as babies come with lots of little things that need a particular space.
At Peekaboo Baby, most modern nappy bags come in a great selection of colours and designs for both mum and dad. Brands like Babymel and JJ Cole have stunning examples of nappy bags designed for all situations, and all come with a matching changing mat.
Popular FAQs
Is a baby changing mat necessary?
While it’s not an absolute necessity, most parents would agree that a baby changing mat is a solid investment for its practicality and convenience.
And as Covid-19 has taught us, surfaces used by other people carry germs. Changing your baby’s nappy in a public bathroom—even one dedicated to mothers and infants—will have you sanitise everything within reach. We’d conclude that a changing mat is well worth going on the essentials list, especially one you can sanitise before and after each use.
What size are baby change mats?
Standard changing mat sizes are 40cm x 81cm. Different designs might measure differently, but the average size is comfortable enough to keep babies covered at least the first year.
How do you secure a change mat?
Using your changing mat on the floor doesn’t require securing it to anything. If you want to use your changing mat on your changing table, attaching velcro to the table and the underside is a sure-fire way to ensure that the changing mat doesn’t move. The shnuggle squishy foam rubber changing mat from Peekaboo Baby sticks to the surface relatively well without any adhesive.
Safety straps provide extra reassurance with a strap across the changing mat to secure the baby, and anchoring straps to fasten the changing mat to the surface it will be used on. The quality of the changing mat is also a consideration.
How do you clean a changing mat?
Cleaning your changing mat is a breeze. First, wipe up any solids that might have been left over after the nappy change with disposable wipes. Next, you can wipe down your changing mat with hot soapy water, dishwashing liquid with a teaspoon of disinfectant, a soap mix and a clean cloth.
Now, you can air-dry your changing mat until it’s needed again. When shopping for a nappy bag and changing mat, look for easy-to-clean materials and surfaces. Nappy bags and changing mats take a beating during a baby’s nappy years and should be cleaned regularly.
The toilet training years will reveal new challenges. Luckily, Peekaboo Baby has you covered with all the necessary gear you will need to assist with those challenges.
Changing mat covers work well when you want your changing mat to coordinate with the rest of your nursery decor and linen. A changing mat cover essentially functions as a pillowcase that goes over your changing mat. Although it’s not a must-have, many parents prefer to cover their waterproof mats to make cleaning easier.
