The 9 Best Changing Pads for Your Baby’s Nursery, According to a Mom Who Owns 3

This durable, peanut-shaped changer is made of a non-toxic, BPA-free material that parents say is super easy to wipe clean after diaper changes (yes, even the really messy ones!). Additionally, this pad is water-resistant, so fluid won’t seep in and lead to mold or bacteria growth.

Although it has a firm surface, parents find it surprisingly soft for baby’s comfort. (That said, some say it can be cold for baby during cooler months.) This changing pad is sturdy and has substantial weight to it, which helps keep it firmly in place during diaper changes, in addition to its slip-resistant bottom. It's a great dresser changing pad because you won't have to buy any additional materials to make it stay.

Despite the price, many reviewers say it’s held up during multiple years of use, while others, including Tika, say they’ve purchased a second one to keep elsewhere in their house or at a grandparent’s house. Many parents also comment on the Keekaroo’s longevity.

Stephen Klop, Director of Product Management, appreciated how easy it was to keep the Keekaroo sanitary and said it “held up well with two kids, but we had the light grey version and there was discoloration over time.”

Because of its unusual shape, make sure to measure the area you’re planning to use the pad before purchasing. Some parents found it to be a tight fit for a changing table with guardrails.

Tested by Olivia DeLong, mom of one and What to Expect's Senior Health Editor:

“We loved the Keekaroo for its sleek and neutral design. It also sat perfectly on top of our daughter's dresser,” says Olivia DeLong, Senior Health Editor with What to Expect. “It was SO easy to clean — just wipe down with soap and water. We got it about three and a half years ago, and while it's in storage now, looks the same as we did when we first got it." 

Tested by Tika Fender, mom of one  and What to Expect's Senior Art Director: 

“We love that it's so soft and my baby can kick around without hurting his feet."

The Skip Hop Pronto has been a game-changer for my family: It doubles as an easy-to-clean portable changing pad and an on-the-go storage solution for all your diapering needs. I take full advantage of the two zippered compartments, where I stuff wipes and rash creams, and keep my diapers in the additional mesh pocket. It’s at the top of my packing list whenever we travel, and I don’t leave home without it. It’s accompanied us on more than a dozen flights and several trips to Disneyland, though it’s just as handy for an extra layer at a restaurant restroom. I love that it carries a lot, but folds into a compact clutch that slips easily into diaper bags. Additionally, other reviews note the smoothness of the surface, making it surprisingly easy to wipe clean. Plus, it even has a clip to attach directly to your stroller.

This affordable pick checks the most important box: It’s a safe, secure space to place your baby down during diaper changes, complete with high sides and a strap. Parents love how soft this pad is, especially when compared to the hard surfaces of other options. In fact, Lisafe Carreon, Senior Product Manager at What to Expect, found the Summer Infant was a huge success with her daughter when it came to comfort — she thought the Keekaroo was too cold and hard. 

Leah Rocketto, What to Expect’s Associate Commerce Director, also appreciated the Summer Infant pad’s softness, as well as the slight concave design.

Both Leah and Lisa say the pad’s surface easily wipes clean, though it also comes with a machine-washable liner. You can also do as Leah did, and choose from a selection of changing pad covers in a range of adorable designs and patterns to add a design element to your nursery. Some reviewers say messes can soak through the surface of this pad, but most say using the liner should prevent messes from getting through to the interior foam.

Tested by Leah Rocketto, soon-to-be mom of two and What to Expect's Associate Commerce Director:

“Even though our changing table had guardrails, I felt a little extra sense of security knowing the pad itself had ‘walls’ so to speak.”

Tested by Lisafe Carreon, mom of one and What to Expect's Senior Product Manager: 

“We used the Keekaroo but had to change it as she would cry when she would be on it. We changed to the Summer Infant and she loved it.”

Parent testers in the What to Expect community rave about the Naturepedic changing pad, specifically the thick, organically-sourced cotton padding that’s comfortable for baby. Although the Naturepedic is expensive, it’s made of extremely high-quality materials. The organic cotton is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified, which means it meets strict environmental guidelines for how it is produced. It's also Greenguard Gold-certified, so you can rest easy knowing it's been rigorously tested for chemicals that are potentially harmful to air quality. What’s more is that the waterproof surface is naturally derived from sugarcane, and parents add it’s smooth and easy to wipe clean. 

Confession: I am a bit of a germaphobe. And while motherhood has certainly made me more easygoing in this department, it hasn’t stopped me from taking every precaution in making sure an impromptu diapering station is hygienic. And these disposable changing pads are my secret weapon for doing so.

Whether my family is traveling near or far, I typically lay one of these down first over a flat surface, such as a public restroom station, before topping it with the Skip Hop Pronto. It’s slightly excessive, I admit, but worth the ease of mind (hence why I always have two changing pads on hand!). Each features an absorbent lining and a waterproof backing to contain messes and prevent leakage. Many reviewers attest to the absorbency, claiming that it even holds up to blowouts (hear, hear!).

For those who want more than a wipe-clean design in their changing pad, I’d like to direct you to the Skip Hop Nursery Style Wipe-Clean Changing Pad. Not only is the non-skid contoured foam resistant to staining and holding odors, but it also features an entertaining mobile. The latter is especially helpful when it comes to distracting fussy or squirmy babes; parents share the cloud-shaped mirror and sun has successfully held their little one’s attention even during the worst blowouts (although some taller users noted they’ve bumped their heads on it when tackling the chore — thankfully, it’s removable). Parents also have their choice between two neutral colorways: gray and oat.

Most also shared that it was comfortable and didn’t feel too cold for their babies (a common complaint of other foam pads!), but the one recurring “con” was that it’s quite pricey compared to other options, despite being cheaper than my overall pick.

At half the cost of the Keekaroo, many parents have hailed Jool’s new changing pad as the ultimate “dupe.” Made with a similar, easy-to-wipe polyurethane foam, it offers a lot of the same benefits — but at a price tag for less than $100. Parents were pleased to report that it’s a handy item for baby’s nursery and didn’t slide around on a dresser or other flat surfaces. As a bonus, there are also five colorways to match any nursery theme, including a match for Keekaroo’s best-selling Oatmeal (though some testers mention slight staining can occur). Parents also rave that the squishy pad is somehow both soft and firm — hello, Goldilocks! The durability is also a big selling point, as it’s a breeze to keep clean.

Just keep in mind that some did note that it was slippery for their babies, and that it was sometimes difficult to change extra-squirmy little ones.

While I can see why parents love wipeable changing pads, there is an indisputable benefit of going the washable cover route, especially if you’re concerned about baby feeling warm. And Munchkin’s Secure Grip Changing Pad provides the best of both worlds. Alone, the waterproof, plastic pad is still easy enough to disinfect and keep clean. There are also four, grippy strips that lock it into place, preventing the pad from slipping around like a rug on a kitchen floor. And thanks to the rectangular size, it’s not only compatible with most dressers and changing tables but covers and liners. You can go with Munchkin’s neutral, white offering, or have fun switching up colors and patterns.

So many of my friends invested in the Keekaroo and fastened it on top of their dressers, but I wanted a piece that could create a full “station.” When I was designing my son’s coastal-themed nursery, I was immediately drawn to the Quinn collection at Pottery Barn Kids. The woven rattan and metal frame, which I paired with the company’s vinyl changing pad insert ($59), was more than just aesthetically pleasing — the two compartments on the right are the perfect storage spot for wipes and extra diapers. You’ll need to purchase the pad and optional covers separately, and while it’s certainly on the pricier side, I’ve loved this investment so much that I couldn’t resist scooping up the matching hamper!