Choosing a mattress for a changing table

A changing table is among every parent’s must-haves when getting ready for a new baby. The correct mattress must be chosen in order to make changing diapers safe and comfortable for both the parent and the child.

A good changing table mattress keeps the baby safe, provides support, and is simple to clean. It can be difficult to choose the right option for your child when there are so many available.

To make sure that every diaper change goes as smoothly as possible, we’ll go over the key features to look for in a changing table mattress in this post.

Need for purchase

Young parents frequently refuse to buy a chest of drawers or changing table because of its high price, bulky size, or ignorance of the necessity of such a purchase. Can one function without a changing table? It is possible, but using a changing table with a mattress for daily hygienic, therapeutic, and preventive activities (massage, gymnastics) is much more convenient for both you and the baby.

When living in a small apartment or on a tight budget, you may choose to forgo purchasing a large changing table in favor of a changing mat that has a sturdy base that you can set on a level surface.

Additionally, you can place the mattress on hard surfaces at a convenient height for baby care, and save money by sewing the mattress yourself—more on that later.

Types

Changing mattress with sides

Unlike a changing chest of drawers, a mattress with two or three sides and a hard wooden plate base is quite mobile, but it cannot be taken to the clinic or visited. Typically, the sizes are 80×50 cm and 70×50 cm. To make it easy for the mattress to be secured on the edges of the baby crib, some manufacturers include wooden limiters on the bottom surface. The lack of a changing table or chest of drawers, along with financial constraints and apartment space constraints, are the main reasons for selecting this kind of mattress.

Bag-mat

An essential item when visiting or going to the clinic. When it is unfolded, what appears to be a bag turns out to be a soft mattress without sides that has pockets for a diaper, cream, and diaper. This product’s small size, light weight, capacity, and relative ease of manufacture are its advantages. The bag-mat’stinysize and tendency to slip on hard surfaces make it unsuitable for frequent use at home.

Switching mat

A switching mat is a changing mat that can have sides or not, but it doesn’t have a solid base, so it’s typically set on top of a changing chest of drawers. The switching mat sizes differ significantly so that each chest of drawers can be chosen individually. Certain models feature washable and detachable covers that simplify product maintenance. These mattresses typically have a waterproof covering that makes them suitable for use when bathing a child and easily maintainable in the event that a child surprises them.

It’s convenient to take some of the inflatable models on the road.

Materials and waterproof models

It is crucial to consider the degree of safety, hypoallergenicity, and material quality when selecting a changing mattress. Cotton textiles are more difficult to maintain than oilcloth or film, which is typically used for the mattresses’ outer covering. Examine the certification and quality marks on the fabrics used to make the changing mat.

Certain pricey models come with a set of easily removable and washable replacement covers. The interior of changing mats is filled with soft, elastic materials like polyurethane foam, foam rubber, and synthetic padding. These fillers are long-lasting and safe for the infant.

Sizes

The typical dimensions of a mattress with a hard base and a bag-mat are 50×80 cm. Such a mattress is convenient to use for up to a year, since babies rarely reach 80 cm at one year old. Because slippers come in various sizes, you can choose them for a variety of changing chests of drawers based on size. Don’t forget to consider the adjacent empty space for storing easily accessible items like creams, ointments, and hygiene products when selecting a changing mat for a chest of drawers.

Review of popular models

• Ceba baby Little King changing mat. The changing mat from the Polish company Ceba baby has dimensions of 50×80 cm, a rigid base, two side rollers. The outer covering is a certified high-quality, baby-safe oilcloth, the inner filler is polyurethane foam.

• The Polini kids double-sided sling with a removable insert. The changing mat from the Russian company Polini kids has dimensions of 77x72x4 cm. The central terry part is attached with buttons to an oilcloth waterproof base, which can be removed as it gets dirty and washed. The inner filler is holofiber.

• Elodie changing bag – Monogram. A stylish handbag on the outside, and inside – a changing mat with pockets for creams, napkins, a diaper. The set includes two terry diapers to keep it clean. The size when unfolded is 87×51 cm, folded – 25×16 cm.

• Globex changing mat “Aquarelle Kroha”. The domestic company Globex is a serious competitor to European brands in terms of product quality. The size of this mattress is 75×72 cm, three restrictive sides, a safe oilcloth on the outside, internal filler – foam rubber.

Chips on the choice

This is what you need to consider when selecting a changing table mattress.

• First, it is necessary to decide which type of changing mattresses is required in the children"s room: with a firm base or without it, or maybe there will be enough bag bags.
• The non -slip lower surface of the changing mattress, so that when the baby is trying to crawl, the mattress remains on the surface.
• Safe, hypoallergenic, pleasant skin materials of the upper surface of the mattress to prevent allergies and irritation on the skin in the baby.
• Verified suppliers with licenses for appropriate work, which guarantees the use of certified materials

It is important for parents to consider safety, comfort, and longevity when selecting a mattress for a changing table. To safeguard the growing spine of the infant, choose a mattress with firm support, a cover that is water-resistant for effortless cleaning, and either non-slip or secure straps to stop movement while changing diapers.

How to do it with your own hands?

Purchasing a changing mat from a store is not necessary; sewing one yourself will be less expensive, particularly if the size of the mat is not standard or you wish to give it a distinctive color.

Together, let’s work out the details.

• In addition to practical oilcloth fabric, you can use cotton, combine different colors and textures of materials.
• Do not use light fabrics so that the mattress retains its original appearance longer.
• You can choose the size yourself: for the entire surface of the changing table or partially, to place hygiene and cosmetic products on the free edge.
• For the bottom surface, choose non-slip fabrics so that it is safe for the baby to be and move on it.
• Remember about safety and high quality when choosing fabrics.

If you’re using natural fabric, wash and iron it before sewing so you can use it again if it shrinks.

Items required to prepare a tapitserka:

• tape measure or ruler;
• fabric for the outer layer – oilcloth, cotton fabric, waterproof terry cloth, etc.;
• filler – foam rubber or synthetic winterizer;
• chalk or a piece of soap to mark the fabric;
• thread, scissors, sewing pins, sewing machine;
• you can use decor, such as ruffles, bows, satin ribbons;
• for greater practicality, you can sew in a zipper to remove the outer fabric and wash it.

The preparation of a tapitserka.

• Measure and cut out fabric for the top layer in a bright color measuring 55×77 cm.
• Apply a piece of foam rubber or synthetic padding measuring 55×77 cm to the back side of the cut piece and secure with pins.
• Mark a rectangle on the front side of the top layer fabric, which we measure with a ruler on each side at a distance of 12 cm. Sew this rectangle on a sewing machine – thus forming the side sides.
• Apply the front side of the lower surface of the future mattress to the front side of the stitched fabric, for example, oilcloth measuring 55×77 cm.
• To the back side of the oilcloth we apply a layer of foam rubber or synthetic winterizer measuring 55×77 cm.
• We pin the finished structure and sew at a distance of 1 cm from the edge on three sides.
• Cut off the excess lining material so that the seams look neat.
• Turn the product inside out, the corners can be straightened with a pin or a needle.
• Manually sew up the fourth side of the mattress through which the product was turned inside out.

You will learn how to create this waterproof changing mat by hand in the upcoming video.

The method of creating a bag mat.

• On a beautiful bright fabric, we measure out a square of 63×63 cm. On one of the sides in the middle, we draw a rectangle of 15×20 cm with the long side to the square.
• Cut out the resulting figure from bright fabric in the amount of two pieces for the outer and inner surfaces of the bag.
• Pin one piece to the padding polyester or foam rubber and cut along the contour with a small margin.
• A piece of bright fabric chosen for the inner layer of the bag must be sewn with filler in the places of future folds.
• Pockets can be made with a zipper, with or without elastic, from transparent PVC film or fabric. Cut out pockets: 23×23 cm – 4 pieces.
• If you plan to decorate the pocket with an elastic band, then you need to bend the fabric on one side and sew it so that the passage is slightly wider than the elastic.
• Insert the elastic and sew it from both ends.
• Sew the pockets to the inner surface of the bag with a blind stitch.
• Turn the product over so that it is with the filler facing up, and apply and pin a piece of bright fabric for the outer surface of the bag on top.
• Cut out the handle piece 102×10 cm. Cut out the piece and sew along the long edge with an indent of 1 cm. Turn the handle piece inside out using a pin.
• Pin the edges of the handle to the outer surface of the bag at the base of a 15×20 cm rectangle.
• Sew the product along the perimeter with an indent of 5 mm from the edge.
• Now we trim the perimeter of the bag with an oblique with piping (you will need a length of about 3.5 m)

You can sew adhesive tape to the outside of the bag and to the edge of the 15×20 cm rectangle to keep the bag securely closed.

You can see how to make this DIY bag mat in the next video.

Feature	What to consider
Size	Ensure the mattress fits the changing table securely without gaps.
Material	Choose a soft, waterproof, and easy-to-clean surface for hygiene.
Comfort	Look for a cushioned mattress to provide comfort during changes.
Safety	Non-slip bottom and raised sides can add extra protection.
Durability	A mattress that holds up to frequent use and cleaning is ideal.

The most important factors to consider when selecting a mattress for a changing table are comfort and safety. When changing your baby’s diaper, look for materials that are both soft and sturdy enough to support them.

To help with spill and accident management, take into account a surface that is easily cleaned or waterproof. This will prolong the life of the mattress and make daily cleanup a breeze.

In the end, choose a mattress with safety features like raised edges to stop rolling and that precisely fits the size of your changing table. The most important things are your baby’s health and your own peace of mind.

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