Reddit mentions: The best portable changing pads

Very similar to our situation. We got both home on the 3rd after 10 days with just 1. We stuck with the nicu feeding schedule they were on which was bottles on the hours of 3,6,9,12. We have pretty much been able to stick to that, occasionally getting off by a half an hour here or there. I don’t set an alarm for when to wake up to feed them overnight because one of them always lets me know. Even if one is not crying they both get woken up for food and diaper so they stay on the same schedule. I have just recently started occasionally feeding both at once if they both are screaming but i usually just do one after the other. Thankfully our girls eat at a good pace so it’s not an issue if one is crying a little waiting for her meal. During the day our girls like to nap in the fisher price infant to toddler rockers and they go down pretty easy in their cribs at night.

Here is a rundown how my days have been and I should mention we are exclusively formula feeding. I am on maternity leave and my husband works 4 days a week, so those days i do both the 3 am and 6 am feedings by myself and they take around 45 mins between warming bottles, changing diapers, feed and burping. So i sleep between 12-3, 3-6, 6-9, minus the wake time for feeding. I wake him up to help overnight on days he is off. Sometimes we stagger things, for instance I’ll go to bed after 9 pm feeding and hubby will handle the midnight and put the girls down to bed by himself so i can get a more solid chunk of sleep. If they eat every 3 hours and one person can do one by themselves the other person can get a 6 hour stretch of sleep which is all you need to feel like a new person! Anywho days I’m alone...After 9am bottles and diapers they go in their chairs and I get my coffee, this is essential and should never be skipped. Between feeds when they nap or are just hanging out i use the time to restock diaper stations, do some laundry and one time a day i make 24 hours worth of bottles for each girl. Staying organized and on top of little things like always having wipes when you need it can keep you from getting frustrated. My mom has come about once a week to help out, I time her visits with my own dr visits or errands so i can leave the house without the babies.

We have a swing and haven’t even opened the box yet and not sure i want to! They actually go to sleep in their cribs or their little chairs with little to no soothing from us and i’d like to keep it that way. Maybe we will set it up down the road or maybe we will just return it. Here are some things we’ve loved
disposable changing pads to put on our changing pads.
infant to toddler rocker
formula mixer pitcher
flat head boppy pillow
No link for this but cloth diapers have been the best burp cloths, we took a bunch from the hospital and I’m about to order some more, Green Sprouts brand has been pretty good too.
We have been using the app baby tracker to keep track of feedings and diapers.
Time to feed a baby...might add more later!

More pics here

Top 5:

• curtains - they are from Target’s kid line and they were a steal. I looked forever for ones that would be fully blackout, long enough to not be high waters (pet peeve) and be able to transition to an older kid room if needed. They look super thick and nice in person but took forever to steam the wrinkles out.
  
  https://www.target.com/p/ombre-tassel-valence-blackout-window-curtain-panel-pillowfort-153/-/A-54529868
  
  
• dresser - was a cheap craigslist find we’d had in our room for a while but I love how the paint color turned out - Glidden Peach Daiquiri and I just used flat paint with a little chalk paint powder mixed in.
  
  
• changing pad - haven’t used it yet but went with the little tikes version of a wipable changing pad. I just couldn’t justify paying double+ for the keekaroo peanut and this feels very similar. I did use white paint to cover the little tikes logo because the red clashed and because I am a psycho.
  
  Little Tikes Baby Foam Diaper Changing Pad and Play Mat for Home & Travel, Grey https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QCD5CWN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oNCZDbW7RJ3FR
  
  
• rug - also a target find and I love how it adds some more color to a pretty neutral room. It hasn’t shed at all and is very thick and plush.
  
  
• crib - it is from Oeuf and I purchased from a neighbor for 100$ I love the lines of it and love that it is “non toxic” if chewed on and really sturdy. Would have totally spring for a cheaper lookalike though and wouldn’t have paid full price for a new one.
  
  https://oeufnyc.com/collections/cribs-conversion-kits/products/sparrow-crib?variant=42463654793

My first recommendation is to check to see if she has a baby registry. New parents need/want LOTS of stuff, and while all gifts are appreciated, having someone help cover the essentials always made us really happy! Some of my favorite gifts were for things we needed like extra bottles, bassinet sheets, and giftcards to Amazon.

Now, to your question - here are some top items we've used with our new baby:

• If she's breastfeeding then nipple balm, nursing pads (I like the Lansinoh disposable ones), cooling pads for your bra for when you're engorged, a Haaka breastmilk pump/saver, and nursing tank tops.
  
• An activity mat
  
• High contrast books and toys to look at
  
• Extra changing pad liners
  
• Dreft stain remover (GREAT for poop stains!)
  
• Burp cloths (you can literally never have too many. We love these from aden + anais.)
  
  
  With the exception of the activity mat, you can really never have too many of the above items!

I generally find those types of backpacks too small to be of functional use. We have this one as our everyday diaper bag and tried to find something bigger. Any of the ones similar in design to the one in your OP didn’t hold half as much (we were just sitting outside buy buy baby moving the stuff over - bag couldn’t even close and we still had stuff in our original bag. Returned immediately). Edit: specifically, my issue with the original one we had was I didn’t like the way it bulged out if you used the cooler bag medela gives with its pumps...and I was too cheap to get a different cooler bag.

I would suggest this instead. You won’t be as organized, but it can hold a ton of stuff inside.

I just came back on a trip with this and this. Single mom with baby, 3 day trip. Diaper bag was able to hold all the formula I needed for the entire trip + 1.5 days worth of diapers (10 diapers for us) + all her food pouches (8 total) + wipes + changing pad + her clothes + extra bottles + blanket + all our documents with a lot of room to spare. If I wanted to, I probably could’ve packed all 3 days worth of both our belongings into that one bag and just used a carrier for her.

That luggage was great. Easily fit into the overhead compartments. Big enough for everything (I could’ve gone the other way and put the diaper bag into the luggage too). I’d say with two adults for a week, you’ll probably need to carry the diaper bag separately.

As of today I'm 39 weeks and our nursery is complete! The quilt was handmade by my husband's late grandmother, the crocheted blanket and punch needle embroidery piece was made by me, and the orange abstract print was made my husband during his time in undergrad BFA.

I've loved seeing everyone's nurseries come together over the last few months while I've followed this sub. Good luck to all those still working on theirs :)

A few more pictures here: https://imgur.com/gallery/5voftU2

Favorite products

1 Second hand Dutailier glider from FB marketplace

2 Skip Hop changing mat Skip Hop Changing Pad: Nursery Style, Easy-Clean Cushioned Foam Diaper Changing Pad https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075X8TPMN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SrhADbSY6FZH5

3 Hatch Baby Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine, Night Light and Time-to-Rise https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XMRCC94/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pshADbCQMSXRM

4 Happiest Baby Snoo Sleeper https://www.happiestbaby.com/products/snoo-smart-bassinet

5 Alex Rug Pottery Barn https://www.potterybarnkids.com/m/products/alex-rug/?cm_cat=Google&sku=505397&catalogId=10&cm_ite=505397&gclid=Cj0KCQjw753rBRCVARIsANe3o47y1AAzv1kgpN7lR_Sb2krorJOtrhjQ1JzlQNecbRutBSC0hAWtpWwaAmbeEALw_wcB&cm_ven=PLA&cm_pla=Rugs%20%3e%20Pattern%20Rugs

I am having some of the same struggles with my MIL. When LO slept over her house for the first time, I felt there were a million things I could have told her that she was doing "wrong". I had to step back and realize that most of them weren't "wrong", just different than how I was going them. Safety is where I drew the line though. I couldn't stand the thought of something bad happening to my little guy just because I wouldn't speak up.


So, for example, when I noticed she had crib bumpers set up I said something along the lines of "oh, I just read an article that pediatricians no longer recommend bumpers because the pose a risk..."


Perhaps a gentle way to say it to grandma would be "I noticed you have a burp cloth in the crib so LO doesn't spit up on the sheets. My pediatrician said it's unsafe for the baby to sleep with any loose items or bibs and recommended that I buy a crib sheet protector."


As for the clothing, maybe next time she says he is fussy you can say, "yeah, I've noticed he is getting fussier now that it's getting colder outside. But he seems to calm down a bit when I put an extra layer of clothes on him."


Good luck and stay strong! My MIL took my advice graciously and hasn't taken back her offer to do daycare for us yet despite me having to "correct" her often :)

I loved these disposable pads to put on my bed to catch any errant liquids...blood, milk, sweat (oh god, the sweat!). Made clean up a lot easier. I'd also recommend some sort of mattress protector for the same reason. You can also use the pads when you have to change diapers out and about, I love them and keep them in my car in case of emergency blow-outs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07589G1DC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

I had two in cloth for a while; my girls are 19 months apart and my older daughter started potty training around 24 months but wasn't fully trained for about 8 months after that, so I had two in cloth/cloth training pants for about 13 months.

I had our main stash stored in the changing table in my older daughter's room because I didn't have room for the changing table in my younger daughter's room. I had a basket with 6-8 cloth diapers, extra covers, a wet bag, wipes and a KangaCare changing pad in my younger daughter's room. During the day, I changed both kids at the changing table, but during the night or while my older daughter was napping, I'd change my younger daughter in her room or in the living room (just would grab the basket as needed). I'd have to make sure I had enough supplies in the basket every evening before bedtime, lol, but it worked. Here's a few more tips about cloth diapering two at once. Hope it helps!

I am a father as well. I agree that it is nice when a business does provide such amenities as a changing table. The best practice is to not trust the responsibility of care for your children in the hands of strangers.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006P05S0Q/ref=s9_acsd_top_hd_bw_b2RQDCV_c_x_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-11&pf_rd_r=CASQVM4E1FHG1SZF5KRK&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=87a93f77-bc1e-5d75-93d6-55121029b544&pf_rd_i=2237474011

https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Change-N-Go-Hanging-Portable-Changing/dp/B01MS1WHSN

Top 5

Our #1 MVP baby item
The Doona stroller car seat - blow your friends minds as you fold this open and closed effortlessly! Never wake your sleeping infant yanking her in and out of the car. YOU’RE WELCOME

https://www.shopdoona.com/pages/doona-car-seat-stroller

In this photo: Babyletto Hudson crib (Hudson changing table dresser and night stand)

https://babyletto.com/products/hudson-3-in-1-convertible-crib-with-toddler-bed-conversion-kit

Someone recommended stocking up on these and we now have a dozen - love that these have held up to a ton of hot washes and keep my changing stations clean

https://www.amazon.com/Quilted-Thicker-Waterproof-Changing-BlueSnail/dp/B075ZMCBLG

In this photo - Moroccan shag rug

https://www.amazon.com/nuLOOM-OZAS04A-Renata-Moroccan-Shag/dp/B01HDWGZMY

In this photo Baby trend diaper pail (love this!) very simple design and I Love that I don’t have to buy any separate bags or liners. I use regular kitchen scented trash bags and this works great. I registered for it when it was on amazon but now it’s out of stock but you can find it other places online

https://bibibin.com/6909110538127/

For the kitchen: bottles, baby plates with the little spaces for different things, rubber tipped spoons.

A large changing pad (I have this one and love it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MR42M69/ref=mp_s_a_1_8_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1519539866&sr=8-8&keywords=large+changing+pad&dpPl=1&dpID=41ABR5j3JBL&ref=plSrch).

A playpen (good posts on here a little bit ago about how to make cute ones out of PVC), and of course, toys!

A couple of my favorites are a Perplexus Epic and a visual rainmaker (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0018YYPJ4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519540109&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=visual+rainmaker&dpPl=1&dpID=41fyZ3Dc6VL&ref=plSrch).

I got this one and it’s awesome. Machine washable, hang to dry. I didn’t like the idea of using something disposable like pee pads, but wanted something that could fold up really small. This fit the bill!

Bumbo makes one that’s just over 27 inches. I have something similar made by keekaroo, and the best thing is that when your kid gets too rolly to change up on a table, this works really well on the floor because it’s sturdy. Also you can wipe it down with a wet wipe after a messy change and you don’t have to bother with covers. (Though I often put down an old hand towel or burp rag to make the surface a little warmer) Still using mine at almost 16 months old and I’ve even taken it on road trips for car changes in our trunk (hatchback) and for use at grandmas.

Something like this? Soft, looks like it rolls up for storage in other rooms.

https://www.amazon.com/Quilted-Thicker-Waterproof-Changing-BlueSnail/dp/B075ZMCBLG/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1549036268&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=baby%2Bchanging%2Bpad&th=1

We settled on something that looks like this but is half the size...

Kiddibean Clutch Diaper Changing Pad - Waterproof Baby Travel ... https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07GZ7YYND/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_t1_f0YZCbTGWPH62

A thin pad is also the case to hold supplies. Toss on a strap to be like a purse

Price History

• Portable Diaper Changing Pad for Baby Two Soft Bamboo Face   ^PureLink
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I wouldn't put any loose fabric in the crib with the baby. Even if it's just a receiving blanket or something it's a suffocation risk.

If you want something like that, I'd try a pad that ties down like this https://www.amazon.com/American-Baby-Company-Organic-Waterproof/dp/B001KZH6AG

On that note, they make reusable/washable "puppy pads" for changing tables that I have found very useful.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EX7CJFE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_m9jxCbB5EYKA6

This is the competitor's product with their pattern if it helps: http://www.amazon.com/Diaper-Changing-Pad-Waterproof-Wipeable/dp/B00S3HGG9Q

Crystal Baby Smile Portable Changing Pad - Diaper Clutch - Lightweight Travel Station Kit for Baby Diapering - Entirely Padded, Detachable and Wipeable Mat - Mesh and Zippered Pockets - Gray Dots https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XRLN7LW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_gwDbAb2N7ZYHG

ENCA Changing Pad Liners Waterproof Hypoallergenic Washable Anti-Slip Bamboo 3pk 27x14 & Bib https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BRWQW5R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rsn1Cb7M3AA05

These came in so handy.
My baby was a yoga ball baby. That's how she preferred being rocked. In the future if you're baby is crying and you don't know why, you might give it a try.

Lots and lots of onesies and sleep sacks.

Congrats!!

I have one diaper bag with all the things we may,need, including toys, extra outfit, etc. for when we will be gone awhile, but usually I just use one of those fold up changing pads that has pockets for diapers and wipes, and diaper rash cream. Here's a link to something similar to mine:

Baby Portable Diaper Changing Pad - Light Travel Clutch and Organizer with Mesh Pockets and Waterproof Mat - Change Station Kit with Head Cushion for Newborn and Infants - Colorful Baby Shower Gift https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F8YJ8CQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SykWDbR3W455V

Not stroller or car seat related but with my twins I bought this change pad that you just wipe down instead of having sheets that you have to change. There were a lot of accidents on that mat...multiple a day some days and I was so happy I could just spray some vinegar and water solution and wipe instead of changing sheets plus adding to the laundry.
https://www.amazon.com/Skip-Hop-Nursery-Wipe-Clean-Changing/dp/B075X8TPMN

Baby changing pads

I bought a pack of changing pad liners (can't remember what brand, but similar to these):https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Changing-Pad-Liners-Reversible/dp/B06XGSTXM5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500047756&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=bamboo+diaper+changing+pad+liners&psc=1, and just change her on the bed with those underneath.

There are few baby items that I enthusiastically endorse but I literally do not understand why everyone doesn't have this changing pad.
Skip Hop Changing Pad: Nursery... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075X8TPMN?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

It is waterproof so only ever needs to be wiped down. The amount of times we would have had to wash and change changing pad covers after our baby pees during a diaper change is ridiculous. It's a little pricier than a traditional changing pad but I think it probably evens out not having to buy or wash covers.