If you are a new mother or a mother-to-be, then you must have asked yourself many baby-related questions. “How many changing pad covers do I need?” is probably one of many mysteries you’re trying to solve.
Parenting can be extremely exhausting and stressful. Especially if it’s your first-time experience. There are so many things you have to think about, so many new gadgets to buy, and so many things you have to change in general.
However, it can also be great because now you get a legitimate excuse for all-day online shopping. “But honey, the baby needs this! I had to order it!”
Having changing pad covers can in a lot of ways make your life easier. And more fun, too! If you wish to learn about those ways, then keep on reading this article.
What are changing pad covers?
Changing pad is a comfortable and lightweight piece of soft material that is usually placed on top of a changing table. It can be attached to a baby’s crib or you can buy it separately. This way, you can use it wherever you want and store it away when you don’t need it so it doesn’t clutter your space.
They are usually made out of PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate) and are filled with foam so that the baby’s mess (the poop, the pee, and the spit-out) can be easily wiped off.
Designed to make the life of newborn parents much easier, changing pads keep the baby safe, and comfortable while making the diaper change a little less stressful.
Changing pad cover, on the other hand, is another layer of cloth that goes over the changing pad. It looks like a little sheet and acts as a pillowcase for the changing pad, often coming with a zipper so you can easily put it on.
These covers can be made from all kinds of materials. What material you’ll opt for depends on your personal preferences and the season you’re in, since some are more suitable for colder months.
But, for example, cotton and organic cotton are one of the most popular materials which can be used all year round.
Muslin is also a popular fabric, and it is mostly used for spring and summer. And for chillier months, parents usually opt for fleece or plush polyester blends. Vinyl covers are also available for parents who prefer an easy clean.
These pad covers come in different designs. They can be bought to match the baby’s bedding sheets, or they can come in a similar print to complement the main sheets.
Why should you get changing pad covers?
It’s true that changing pad covers are not an essential you can’t live without. But they can be a nice addition to your nursery, nonetheless.
The purpose of a changing pad is to provide comfortable support for your baby during the diaper change and to protect your personal things, which happen to be in close proximity, from pee or poop that can make their way out of the diaper.
But, what protects the changing pad?
Well, that depends on the material the pad is made out of. If the material is easy to get dirty and if it has no problem with stain absorption – that’s where changing pad covers come in handy.
The covers soak up any liquid that leaks out of the baby’s diaper which makes your life easier. After the diaper change, if the pad cover is stained with pee or poop, most of the time you can simply take it off and put it in the washing machine.
Another reason why you should get these covers is that they ensure your baby stays comfortable. Most changing pads feature a plastic, waterproof layer which oftentimes feels cold against your baby’s body.
So, pad covers are a great way to ensure your baby stays comfy and content.
What are some of their other benefits?
If you have already gotten the usual changing pads made out of vinyl, it’s definitely recommended to get covers for them, too.
Well, first things first, changing pad covers are easier to store. If you get changing pads made out of material that easily absorbs any discharge, the chances of you having to get multiple pads are very high.
You’ll have to have a spare pad when the original one is getting cleaned, right? However, that’s not the best or the only way to go. Changing pads can be fairly bulky and can take up a lot of space which is not very storage-friendly, no matter how big your home is.
On the other hand, changing pad covers are like bed sheets, and they can be easily tucked somewhere inside your closet. Pretty easy if you ask me.
Next, changing pad covers look great. Honestly, they’re pretty and can be a great way to express your personal style. They also make something that pretty plain looking (a.k.a. changing pads) much more interesting.
And lastly, they are soft and comfy. What more can you and your little one ask for?
So, how many changing pad covers do I need?
Many parents get carried away and buy too many pad covers. Let me just tell you right away, you don’t need to have excessive amounts of pad covers.
Always remember that good old saying – less is more. I recommend you get 2 to 4 changing pad covers, so you always have one to use when the other ones are either washing or drying.
Two is perfect if you regularly do your laundry. There’s really no need to buy more as this would be, for the most part, more than enough.
However, if you are a busy mom and have a lot of stuff to do around the house, and doing laundry is simply not your top daily priority, then four changing pad covers should be your way to go.
Thinks about it this way: always have one cover in the washing machine, one on the changing table, and one in the closet, ready to be used.
Are changing pad covers really necessary?
As we have briefly mentioned in the beginning, changing pad covers are not something you simply cannot live without. If your budget is super tight, or you consider yourself to be a minimalist, you don’t have to get these covers.
Keep in mind that pregnancy and motherhood are one of the most beautiful periods in a woman’s life. Therefore, you should not stress about some insignificant and meaningless things like “How many changing pad covers do I need?”
Sure, you have to be prepared, but just take it easy and go with the flow. The most important thing is that your baby is happy and healthy.
And who knows… Maybe you’ll find a couple of changing pad covers among baby shower gifts. So you won’t have to worry about them at all.
What features to look for when buying changing pad covers?
When buying these covers, there are a few things you have to take into consideration. These can help you narrow down all the choices and select something that you and your baby will love.
Here are the four most important things you should definitely keep an eye on.
1. Material
What kind of material you opt for is fairly important. You want something soft, warm, and comfortable because your baby will be laying on it for the majority of the day. You surely don’t want something that will cause your baby’s skin to flare up.
The best kind of material and the one that most parents chose is organic cotton. Changing pad covers made out of organic cotton are great for all-year use. They do a good job of absorbing liquid and are extremely soft.
2. Absorbance
Another extremely important feature is absorbability. You want to have a changing pad cover that will soak up your baby’s pee, rather than repel it. That way, your baby’s back or bottom won’t get wet and we all know how helpful that is.
3. Price
In comparison to other much-needed baby items, changing pad covers are fairly inexpensive. There are, of course, always some more expensive options, but in general, you can find something within your budget.
Their average price is around 10 to 20 dollars.
4. Appearance
This feature is concerned with parents’ aesthetics and preferences. I’m sure everyone wants to find changing pad cover that will, at least to some extent if not entirely, match the overall decor and color scheme of the nursery.
Picking the right design shouldn’t be hard since there are plenty of options both in stores and online. So it’ll be fairly easy for you to find something that suits your fancy.
