Cross “changing table” off of your list of MUST-HAVE baby items. Those shiny wood tables at Babies R Us are undeniably pretty, but – if you’re looking to cut costs – be rest assured that they’re certainly not necessary.
Three kids later and we’ve never owned one. We’ve always just put a changing pad on top of a dresser.
Summer Infant’s 4-sided changing pad ($25) is an excellent option. Highly rated on Amazon, the pad is thicker than most and cradles the baby as she is changed. The contoured sides ensure baby’s safety, while the plush material of the cover (~$15) keeps her comfy. Our newborn always seems super content when we place her on the ultra-soft surface. I recommend both products.
WIN IT! One winner will receive a Summer Infant 4-Sided Changing Pad and Ultra Plush Cover! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, May 21 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.
* Thanks to Summer Infant for providing two pads – one for review and one for this giveaway.
*UPDATE* The winner is #7 Sara. Congratulations!
We have the changing table that is a dresser – used it some for the changing, but usually just used our bathroom counter (it is really long and wide) with a towel. These little things work great too though!
We never used a changing table either. A dresser with pad on top is so much more practical. Our current pad is all cracked and weird, though. The Arizona hot and dry effect, perhaps? This one looks very nice.
I agree with you, a changing table is not a necessity at all. They are expensive too! I’m glad we never bought one. A changing pad on the dresser is a much better option.
I never used a changing table with my son, but put him on a blanket on the floor. But, I really want one with this baby!!!! It is on my list of things to get!!!
I have a changing pad that does not have the sides and I am so paranoid I am going to take my eye off for a sec and she is going to fall off… this seems it would give me some piece of mind when reaching for a diaper or something. Thank you for your giveaways. They are great
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I like that it fits almost any changing table. I also really like that it is four sided, so my daughter doesn’t roll while I’m changing her.
Love the 4 sides ! Haven’t seen one like this !!!
i splurged on a changing table for my 3rd and 4th (twins) I have to say it was one of the best purchases ever and saved my back but we can use a new pad especially one with raised sides to prevent roling
Right now we are changing our 2-month-old on my 4 year old son’s old changing pad. It is pretty worn out, so we could definitely use a new one! This one looks extra safe.
thanks for the review and chance to win. I like the style of this changer. It’s sleek and seems easy to handle.
I am looking to cut cost so I would love to win this instead of paying for a big changing table.
Love this changing pad. Like that the sides are raised higher than the regular changing pads and that the surface appears to be waterproof.
I need a changing pad. Our last one got ruined, torn somehow :( I love the raised sides. Safety first!
This would be great for my baby! She flips every which way when I am changing her and this would be a great help!!
love the 4 sides to make it safer for baby.
I don’t have a changing table anymore, but my sister who is pregnant could really use this! I loved having a changing pad and I like how this has the sides to prevent rolling!
We are, like you, are looking to cut costs. We have a wonderful low boy dresser that will help make a changing station for our lil Olivia (once she arrives in July). And all we are missing is the changing pad. This is our third baby as well and yet this will be our first changing station, but seeing this pad proves to me that not all changing pads are created equal. This one is obviously the safest choice since it has 4 sides. Thanks for showcasing such great products!
You are seriously right about not really needing a changing table. We bought one second hand and it has earned it’s $50, now it will be passed on to a new baby cousin this Fall. Truly a changing pad on top of a useful dresser is all you need!
It can be safer sometimes, especially with a baby like ours to be on the floor=)
I completely agree with not purchasing a changing table. The space in our home is too limited for that. We have been changing our baby on the floor with a pad, so this would definitely be an upgrade!
We had a changing table with my first daughter but for this one we don’t have the room in our apartment so I was going to try one of these out. I’m happy to hear such good reviews about it!
I don’t have a changing table, only the fold out flat pads, so this would be awesome. I’m sure baby would appreciate as well!
this would be nice for my son, he don’t like being still for a diaper change, maybe the seat belt will hold him in place
I could really use one of these, I’m going to be having another baby in july and won’t be able to pick my 15 month old up for a few weeks, so I’d like to put one of these in the floor and change my oldest that way
We’ve been using the bed (or floor) for diaper changes, but I love the idea of adding the pad to a dresser too!
I just wanted to say that I LOVE my changing table. I used a tall already owned dresser to hold all our baby items and would not have been able to just throw a mat on top. Leaning over a bed or the floor isn’t comfortable to me with how many times you change a newborn. Plus I liked that I could walk straight to the table and lay my son down – no having to arrange a mat somewhere first. Plus, I don’t know about little girls but we went through a peeing every time the diaper was opened stage that I would not have wanted to clean off a bed. I could easily wipe down my table and mat. The bottom shelves of our changing table hold toys now and held baskets of baby necessities when my 21 month old was a baby. I’ve used a contoured changing mat (on top of a low dresser) at grandma’s house and while it would probably work well when they are short and little, I didn’t like it once my son was around a year. The contour at the top would cock his head at a weird angle or if I moved him down his feet were kicking all over the place off the top of the dresser. Count me out on this one, but I’m glad it works for some people.
i’ve heard changing tables are an item that most people don’t use…this looks like a great alternative to just a blanket on the floor. :)
Awesome giveaway! Ordering one of these or finding one on Craigslist is on my list of things to do in the next five weeks before our little boy gets here! Was hoping to have my two year old potty trained, but alas….it won’t be so. Would LOVE to have one for his room…I hope I win, then I can check something off my nesting list!
I have been through reviews for a changing table. Think you found what I need. This would definitely cut costs and not take up so much room.
Isn’t that why we have beds?! And floors?! :) We never had one, either.
Our last changing pad lasted through 4 kids, it was pretty beat up! My last baby was mostly changed on the bed or the couch! I like the idea of the 4 sided pad. I might have to store this under the coffee table when baby #6 comes along in the fall!
We have a multi-purpose dresser type thing with a changing pad on top too. Replacing that pad is one of the few new things we could really use for this new baby, though, as the old one is totally falling apart!
I agree that a changing table is a waste. These pads are great and will work on a dresser that can be used for a long time, plus I can find one that’s taller so I don’t have to stoop over.
I love the idea of the higher sides that cradle the baby! On other changing pads, it seems like it would be too easy for a wiggly baby to roll around too much :) Our plan is to do a dresser as a opposed to a changing table, so it’s nice to see what product we should get to top it :)
We need another changing pad now that my little one spends so much time at grandma’s
I have a changing table for my little one but I just have the changing pad that can with the table. It seems like my Addie is all over the place at diaper time. I think the cradling shape would be so helpful!
We never had a proper changing table. I did use the flip up changing table that was on my pack and play until Lily got to big for it. Otherwise I just changed her on our bed or the floor. This changing mat looks like a great idea.