In any nursery, the change table is a hub of activity. Not just for nappy changes, its where most of your baby’s personal care will take place, it’s where you’ll dress and undress them, apply creams and lotions and dry them after bath. After the cot, it’s the most important spot in your baby’s room.
But … babies wriggle! You can’t leave them there unattended, you definitely can’t go in to the next room to grab something you’ve forgotten, and as soon as they start to roll you’ll need to learn to do everything with one hand. So having your change table set up properly with absolutely everything you need is essential.
Save to phone
Simply press and hold this change table essentials checklist image and click ‘add to photos’ to save it to your phone.
Super handy when you’re at the shops!
Use this handy guide we’ve put together to assemble all the change table essentials you’ll need to be one super-organised mama with a happy bubba when it comes time for changing.
Don’t forget to save our handy checklist to your phone (details at the bottom).
1. Changing Table
The changing table is where it all happens, and more often or not, it’s where everything goes. The only question is, do you want it all on show? Or would you rather baby’s bits and bobs be tucked away into cupboards and drawers? If you’re looking for a change table, consider the storage areas already in baby’s nursery and remember, there’s no such thing as too much storage (trust us).
2. Nappies
Of course, nappies are essential for a changing table – but there are some things to consider here. Firstly, you’ll need to decide whether you’re going to go for disposable nappies, modern cloth nappies or a combination of both. If it’s the former, you have the option of eco-friendly or regular styles; if it’s the latter, you’ll need to decide between all-in-ones or other styles that require snap-in boosters and liners.
3. Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are a must when it comes to change table supplies, but not all wipes are created equal. Look for moisture-rich wipes that are gentle on sensitive tooshies and free of ingredients like alcohol and artificial fragrances that are known to cause irritation. While they may cost a little more, environmentally friendly wipes are becoming a popular choice.
4. Nappy Rash Cream
A good nappy rash cream is a change-table essential, although you might need to try a few before you find the right one for your bub. Options include barrier creams, soothing ointments, antiseptic creams, Paw Paw ointment and coconut oil. Ask for some samples from the chemist or from your health nurse.
5. Change Mat
Nappy changes occur at all hours of the day. Whether it be at first light or right before bedtime, baby’s comfort is key. Often cushioned or with a contoured shape so bub is nice and snug, they’re also great for protecting little ones from falls. A good change mat should keep wriggly worms in place while parents do the… ahem… dirty work.
6. Moisturiser
It’s often assumed that all babies have perfectly smooth and unblemished skin, when in fact dryness and flaking (among myriad other skin conditions) can be common in the early weeks and months. A hypoallergenic, sensitive-skin moisturiser is definitely worth having on hand to soothe and nourish Bub’s skin after bath time.
7. Hand sanitiser
With a baby on the change table, you won’t be able to dash to the bathroom to wash your hands, so make sure you have a bottle of hand sanitiser at the ready to disinfect when required. A pump-style bottle is perfect because you can operate it with one hand.
8. Face washer
From wiping faces and bottoms to mopping up all those spills, face washers have countless uses when it comes to caring for babies. Mamas of boys tell us they’re particularly useful for throwing over boy parts while the nappy to prevent a wee spray!
Our pick: What we love about these organic cotton muslin face washers from Purebaby is just how soft and gentle on babies’ delicate skin they are.
9. Talc-free baby powder
Keeping baby’s bot nice and dry helps keep irritation at bay, and few things work as well (or as quickly) as baby powder. Made from natural ingredients that are gentle on bubba’s skin, talc-free powders are a convenient way of getting rid of any moisture left on the skin. Perfect for nappy changes and babe’s bathtime routine.
Our pick: What we love about Bondi Wash talc-free baby powder is that it’s enriched with Emu Apple and other Australian native botanicals – and it smells divine!
10. Terry toweling
If you’re wondering why stores still sell old-style cloth nappies (which are essentially large squares of terry toweling) it’s because they are just so versatile. Absorbent and soft, they’re fabulous cloths for burping babies, for mopping up spit-ups and they’re handy for laying over change table mats. In fact, cloth nappies can be used for almost anything you’d use a towel for, but their size and shape makes them easier to use and wash than a large bath towel.
11. Hairbrush or comb
Bubs might have very little hair…or they might have a lot! The change table is often a good spot to give little tufts a going-over so that they’re looking darling and dapper.
Our pick: What we love about these baby hairbrushes from Purebaby are just how soft the goat’s hair bristles – lovely and gentle on Baby’s head.
12. Nail trimmer
Use change table time to trim and check baby’s nails so as to avoid scratched faces. Both files and clippers can be used from birth.
Our pick: What we love about the award-winning Nail Snail is how easy it is to use the v-shaped trimmer to safely cut their tiny nails.
13. Cotton pads
You can never have too many cotton pads with a bub in your life! Use them to gently apply nappy cream on sore spots, clean between all those chubby-bubby skin folds, or even to wipe Bub’s comb or nail clippers.
Our pick: What we love about the organic cotton cleansing pads from Gaia Natural Baby is just how soft and absorbent they are.
14. Thermometer
Symptoms of fever are often spotted when babies rise after their sleep, and given that the change table is usually the first place you’ll take Bub when they wake up, it’s a good idea to have your baby thermometer within arms reach for a prompt temperature check.
15. Nasal aspirator
Speaking of illnesses, as soon as babies get their first cold (and we regret to inform you this will happen eventually) you’ll suddenly know how essential a nasal aspirator can be.
Out pick: What we love about the Snotty Boss nasal aspirator is how easy and fuss-free it is to clear baby’s runny and blocked noses within seconds.
16. Hooded Towels
Babies are extra sensitive to changes in temperature and can get cold quickly when taken out of the bath. A hooded towel not only looks adorable wrapped around a freshly bathed bub, but it keeps little noggins snug as you dry off that tiny body.
Our pick: What we love about Purebaby’s organic cotton hooded towels is how warm and cosy bub stays after a bath wrapped in these snuggle towels and hood.
17. Massage oil
Massage can be a lovely way to bond with baby and it’s great for relaxing tiny bodies before bed. Keep some massage oil handy on your table so that you can give Baby a rub-down after a bath, before bed or between changes.
18. Nappy sacks
You may wish to use a nappy pail or another nappy disposal method, but lots of mums use biodegradable, odour-neutralising nappy sacks to wrap up dirty nappies – and stop the stink!
19. Nappy bin
You’ve never smelled anything until you’ve caught a waft of a day-old soiled nappy – but don’t worry, a good nappy bin will not only store all of those stinky bundles until you find the time for a rubbish run, it will help to hide the smell.
20. Change pad covers
The surface of plastic change mats can be quite cold, especially in the middle of a winter’s night. Prevent a shock to tiny systems by using a cloth change mat cover, and always keep a spare in your change table drawer.
21. Dummies
Some babies love looking up into Mummy’s eyes as she coos and smiles during change time, while other babies are not too happy about the experience at all! Having a spare dummy within reach to soothe and placate littlies will help you get the job done.
22. Spare clothes
It happens to all of us: you’ve just finished dressing baby on the change table (in an outfit you likely spent forever selecting) only to be met with an errant and almighty spit-up! Don’t get stuck carrying a soggy bub back to wardrobe – have some spare onesies stashed for quick changes.
23. Disinfectant wipes
Cleaning wipes are super handy for giving the change table mat a once-over after accidents, or just to keep germs at bay. Look for plant-based, non-toxic wipes.
24. Nappy caddy
The change tables can get very full and you’ll need a way to keep it all organised. While you might have a couple of drawers or a shelf to use, a nappy caddy is ideal for keeping the must-haves within reach: nappies, cream, wipes and nappy sacks. The caddy can also be grabbed and moved from room to room if you need to do a quick change in another part of the house.
25. Toys
As bubs grow, they become increasingly curious – and impatient! To keep littlies calm and stimulated through nappy changes and other personal care routines, we suggest keeping some toys on the change table for Babe to tinker with. Links are great, so too are small rattles and other sensory toys.
26. Cot mobile
Tiny tackers find themselves lying on the change table countless times each day. Try placing an engaging mobile above the table to distract and entertain them. Some mobiles come with moving parts and sound effects, other traditional styles simply sway and delight.
And there you have it – the perfect change table setup!
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Save to phone
Simply press and hold this change table essentials checklist image and click ‘add to photos’ to save it to your phone.
Super handy when you’re at the shops!
