Unless you are going to do your diaper changes on a bed or another flat surface, you are going to need a baby changing pad. There are so many on the market! How do you know which one you should actually get?

Here are 5 key features you need to look for when you are buying a baby changing pad.

How To Find The Best Changing Pad

1. Does It Have Safety Straps To Secure Your Baby?

To keep your baby safe, it is good practice to always have at least one hand on your baby during diaper changes. For extra protection, you need safety straps.

Some diaper changing pads have two different types of safety straps:

• One set serves as an adjustable restraint belt with a buckle to secure your baby. Most pads should have these.
• The other safety straps are meant to anchor the baby changing pad to the changing table or baby dresser. If your diaper pad does not have these extra security straps, you will need to make sure your diaper changing table has safety barriers, like these.

1. Does It Offer Waterproof Protection?

Seriously, if a diaper changing pad does not offer waterproof protection, it is useless because young babies are bound to have accidents during diaper changes. It’s inevitable.

Look for a diaper pad that is waterproof and wipes easily. If it is not 100% waterproof, you will have liquids seeping into the changing pad and this can lead to mold and mildew.

For added protection, do get 2-3 changing pad covers. They’re soft and comfortable against your baby’s skin, and when it gets dirty, it can be thrown in the washing machine. (Keep your spare changing pad covers within reach so that you can easily swap it out if you have an incident.)

1. Does It Have A Contoured Design?

Changing pads with contoured sides cradles your baby, therefore offerings extra security. Some pads feature a 3-sided design, offering additional cushioning at the top of the pad to protect your baby’s head.

1. Is It Comfortable For Your Baby?

Keeping your baby comfortable during diaper changes will make the process a lot easier. Look for a pad with supportive foam. These are firm, durable, and comfortable.

1. Does It Have Certifications

You are going to use your diaper changing pad several times per day, for several months! The last thing you want is to be laying your baby onto a pad that is not 100% safe.  Before you make your purchase, make sure your pad is certified by known third-party organizations, whose job it is to ensure safety and quality in our products.

Particularly, look for a pad that meets the ASTM and CPSIA standards for diaper pads. It simply means that the factories that make, them had to go through third-party laboratory tests to get certifications.

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Featured Image Credit: Yellow-turtle.com