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!
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Rena says
May 22, 2012 at 6:48 amWe 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!
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Dayna says
May 21, 2012 at 11:55 pmWe 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.
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Melinda J says
May 20, 2012 at 9:44 amI 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.
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Amber says
May 19, 2012 at 5:30 amI 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!!!
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Toni Marie Caravello says
May 18, 2012 at 2:32 pmI 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
FB: Toni Marie Caravello
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Twitter: Tonic67
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amynluv says
May 18, 2012 at 1:12 pmI 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.
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shanna says
May 17, 2012 at 4:17 pmLove the 4 sides ! Haven’t seen one like this !!!
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Aura says
May 17, 2012 at 12:07 pmi 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
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Jenifer says
May 17, 2012 at 10:21 amRight 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.
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@nola727 says
May 16, 2012 at 9:43 pmthanks for the review and chance to win. I like the style of this changer. It’s sleek and seems easy to handle.
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Livivua Chandler says
May 16, 2012 at 9:50 amI am looking to cut cost so I would love to win this instead of paying for a big changing table.
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Donna Brown says
May 16, 2012 at 7:53 amLove this changing pad. Like that the sides are raised higher than the regular changing pads and that the surface appears to be waterproof.
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renee says
May 16, 2012 at 7:35 amI need a changing pad. Our last one got ruined, torn somehow :( I love the raised sides. Safety first!
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Rochel S says
May 15, 2012 at 10:13 pmThis would be great for my baby! She flips every which way when I am changing her and this would be a great help!!
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fancygrlnancy (Nancy Partin) says
May 15, 2012 at 9:23 pmlove the 4 sides to make it safer for baby.
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Vanessa says
May 15, 2012 at 6:31 pmI 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!
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Jessica P. says
May 15, 2012 at 3:07 pmWe 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!
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sara says
May 15, 2012 at 1:02 pmYou 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!
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jennifer says
May 15, 2012 at 12:58 pmIt can be safer sometimes, especially with a baby like ours to be on the floor=)
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Sarah R says
May 15, 2012 at 11:55 amI 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!
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Kelsey says
May 15, 2012 at 10:58 amWe 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!
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Alexis says
May 15, 2012 at 10:52 amI 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!
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chris dehart says
May 15, 2012 at 10:12 amthis 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
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Rachel DeHart says
May 15, 2012 at 9:54 amI 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
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Staci A says
May 15, 2012 at 9:42 amWe’ve been using the bed (or floor) for diaper changes, but I love the idea of adding the pad to a dresser too!
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Katelyn says
May 15, 2012 at 7:59 amI 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.
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ruthy says
May 15, 2012 at 7:39 ami’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. :)
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Sarah says
May 15, 2012 at 7:00 amAwesome 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!
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Marcela says
May 15, 2012 at 6:26 amI 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.
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Kristen says
May 15, 2012 at 5:11 amIsn’t that why we have beds?! And floors?! :) We never had one, either.
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Sara says
May 14, 2012 at 10:06 pmOur 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!
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Sarah T. says
May 14, 2012 at 9:54 pmWe 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!
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Amber says
May 14, 2012 at 9:48 pmI 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.
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Danielle Day says
May 14, 2012 at 9:29 pmI 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 :)
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Carol W says
May 14, 2012 at 9:08 pmWe need another changing pad now that my little one spends so much time at grandma’s
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Jessica says
May 14, 2012 at 8:32 pmI 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!
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Christy says
May 14, 2012 at 8:10 pmWe 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.