10 Diaper Changing Station Must-Haves

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved

A good diaper changing station must have safety, comfort, and convenience in mind. Everything you need to diaper the baby should be right there where you'll use it. With those factors in mind, here are some of the items I recommend as diaper changing station must-haves.

Comfortable Changing Pad

A comfortable baby is a happy baby. When the changing pad is comfy, baby can be more receptive to getting a diaper change. Just be sure that the changing pad you choose also meets safety standards. Safe changing pads will list the safety standards being complied with and should have the complementary label.

Safety Strap

Check to be sure your changing table includes a safety strap. If not, it may not meet safety standards. A safety strap is necessary to prevent falls or injuries to the baby during changing.

Original A+D Ointment

Instead of diaper creams and ointments, I always found original A+D ointment to be the most effective. This seems to be especially true in infants with sensitive skin issues.

Diapers

While I'm sure that having diapers in the diaper changing station area is a no-brainer, I couldn't leave it off a list of diapering supplies. Whether you use cloth diapers or disposable ones, be sure to keep plenty on hand. With cloth diapers, this means keeping up with laundering them and with disposables, make sure to always purchase extra. It’s always better to have too many than not enough.

Onesies and T-Shirts

Babies can go through onesies and t-shirts quite fast. I always have several on hand at the diaper changing station in case they are needed. These sometimes get soiled as often as diapers. So, changing them at the same time diapers are changed is a good habit to keep.

Toys

Baby toys are a great addition to the diaper changing station, as they keep baby occupied. This is especially helpful for babies who aren't too fond of changing time. Be sure that the toys at the changing station are different from the regular toys and that they are switched out every so often.

Baby Wipes

Like the diapers, this is probably an obvious recommendation. However, it also cannot be left out. Baby wipes are essential to changing a baby. Whether you go the natural route with homemade baby wipes or purchase store-bought disposables, keep plenty on hand.

Cleaning Supplies

Always make sure the diaper changing station is clean for your baby. Just like you would wash your hands before and after each use, clean the changing station that often as well. Be sure the cleaning supplies you choose are appropriate for cleaning in nursery areas.

Clean Blankets

Even if your baby is no longer a newborn, receiving blankets are the perfect size for covering the diaper changing station. They are easy to replace in between diaper changes and are thin enough so that plenty can be stocked for use.

Diaper Pail

It can be very convenient to have a diaper pail near the diapering area. Whether you use a system designed to seal away the diapers until emptied or a more simple design, choose one that will easily fit in the area without blocking the path to the baby or to essentials. This is true for both cloth diapers and disposables. Although, depending on the way you change and clean up after your baby, it’s sometimes more convenient to keep the diaper pail in or near the restroom.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network