Preparing for your baby’s arrival can be fun and exciting but also overwhelming. There’s so much to do before the baby comes! You have to decorate the nursery, buy furniture, and make sure to have essentials like diapers and clothes on hand. Selecting paint colors for the nursery might be fun but setting up a clean and safe changing station is essential.
You will be using the changing station quite often during the day and you might be surprised at how many diapers your baby goes through. So you definitely need a safe and clean space that lets you manage a diaper change without spreading germs or making a mess.
It may seem like a lot of work to create a changing station but you won’t regret it when you’re on the tenth diaper change for the day! Here’s a quick checklist for setting one up in your home:
Location
First things first. You need to have a designated spot for diaper changes. You can change diapers on the floor, on top of a sturdy dresser or a changing table. Confining diaper changes to one spot has a few benefits:
- You have everything you need in one spot
- You are not unwittingly spreading germs around the house
- If you have other children, there are fewer chances of them swapping germs with the baby
Stock up in advance
The rumors are true, babies go through diapers like you wouldn’t believe. But diapers are not the only items you need for a clean change. Most new parents have loads of diapers ready. But do you also have baby cream, washcloths, water-proof liners, and maybe a small blanket or two on hand?
There’s nothing worse than trying to change the diaper on a wriggling baby only to find that you’ve run out of cream or don’t have a washcloth to wipe up stains. Babies also grow really quickly, so have a few diapers and clothes in the next size in the closet. You never know when you might need them!
Keep everything within reach
The advantage of always changing diapers in one spot is that you have everything you need ready to go. Always make sure you have storage under or near the changing station. It could be a dresser, a closet, or even built-in drawers in the changing table.
Use storage bins in various sizes to keep everything organized. Make sure to open up diaper packages and have them ready to use. A couple of onesies or any easy to wear outfit for the baby when their original clothes get dirty is also a good idea.
Distractions
Have you tried to change the diaper on a wriggling, crying baby? Even with a safety belt or changing mat, it can be hard to keep them quiet while reaching for a clean diaper. It’s worth your while to keep some distractions handy. If your changing station is the floor, have a favorite toy or two nearby. If you use a dresser top or changing table, you can also hang a mobile overhead to distract a crying baby. Make sure to clean and disinfect toys regularly as they’re liable to get germs, no matter how careful you are while changing.
Safety and hygiene
Safety concerns abound when you’re dealing with a newborn and diaper changes are no exception. That’s one of the other reasons to have a designated spot and essentials within arm’s reach. You cannot leave a squirming baby alone for a second or take your hands off them. Even if you change diapers on the floor, babies can crawl over or pull on something within reach.
So make sure to use baby-safe products with rounded corners or bumpers where possible. Keep items like hand sanitizers or creams out of reach for the baby, even though they should still be accessible for adults. Clean, sanitize, and disinfect all the reusable products such as the changing mat, liners, blankets, washcloths, etc.
Changing mat
A changing mat is practically an indispensable tool when it comes to diaper changes. Whether you use the floor or a dresser top, the changing mat is essential. The perfect changing mat should be easy to clean, comfortable for the baby to lie on, and hygienic.
That’s why the new Matty changing mat is a must-have for new parents. It’s the all-in-one solution that’s fully portable. You can even take it on trips or vacations to visit family or friends. It’s easy to clean and waterproof. Not just that but you can also disinfect it with ethanol quickly and easily.
The Matty comes with a built-in safety belt to hold a wiggly baby in place while you change their diaper. It’s also made from molded PUR making it super soft and comfortable for the baby.