Best baby changing mats 2023: Travel mats, wedge mats, printed mats and more

WHILE changing your baby's nappy isn't the most exciting part of parenting, the best baby changing mats can make the job a whole lot easier.

With up to 12 nappy changes a day when you have a newborn —it's estimated that you’ll be changing anywhere from 2,500-3,000 nappies in that first year.

While you’ll most certainly get used to changing your baby on baby change units in public toilets, you’re also going to want a couple of comfy changing mats around the house.

We’d recommend getting one for upstairs and one for downstairs if you live in a two-story house.

You should also get a portable baby travel changing mat for your bag so you can easily change your baby when you’re out and about.

There are designer versions available made from moulded polyurethane or organic cotton that will cost upwards of £40, but you can also find cheap-as-chips versions for under £10 – read on for our 10 best UK changing mats for 2023.

For any parent even the tiniest bit curious about reusable cloth nappies, you’ll have heard of Bambino Mio as a leader in the field.

Choose from 20 stylish printed designs in this travel-changing mat made from towelling material, which is very lightweight and folds down to a tiny size.

A hook and loop fastening keeps it securely closed and you can easily tuck it out of the way, in your bag or around the house.

Like Bambino Mio's other products – and unlike typical PVC changing mats – this design won't degrade and need to be binned. Just wash whenever necessary.

Size: 21.1 x 15 x 4.1 cm Weight: 0.07 Pounds

A twist on the typical changing mat design, this wedge changing mat discourages a baby from rolling during nappy changes (you still need to hold on tightly if you’re changing baby on a table).

The foam-filled mat is so comfy, some parents even use it as a soft play space for young babies to hang out on instead of being placed directly on the floor.

As one customer says, it's a ‘good size, even my 2-year-old fits on it without an issue’, has a ‘cute print on it, older kids will like pointing out the lions, dinosaurs, etc.’ and is ‘easy to wipe clean’.

Size: 68 x 45 x 9.5 cm Weight: 0.6 kg

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Changing Mattress, BABY FOX – dark blue, £51 at Vertbaudet – buy here

This super cute Fox changing mat has a fox-shaped pad in terry cloth that's soft and comfortable for your baby and easy to remove and machine-wash whenever you need to.

The changing mat is made from 100% cotton with a PVC lining.

We love the little details such as the 3D ears and tail, which your baby can play with to distract them from the task at hand.

Size: 72 x 49 cm

This luxury design works well if you happen to have a Mamas & Papas changing table – although it's not required – but also adds a bit of extra comfort and style to the whole messy business with a detachable pillow and removable towelling insert (the cover is conveniently machine washable).

The added features make it a nice gift, too.

‘Nice and puffy, not thin at all. Lovely design and is easy to wipe clean. Love it and considering a second for another room!!!’ raves one satisfied buyer.

Size: 72 x 46 x 9 cm Weight: 0.6 kg

If you don't like the idea of investing in a baby changing mat that you won't be using much once your baby's on the move, you may prefer the idea of Shnuggle's Squishy baby changing mat, which also works well for tummy time and baby massage sessions.

The elevated head shape helps to minimise colic, the waterproof surface is easy to clean and the PU material is non-toxic (plus the go-with-everything minimalist grey design works well in any room of the house).

‘I absolutely LOVE this changing mat! I know it's only a changing mat, but really it is on my list of newborn must-haves. It's tilted which is ideal if your baby has reflux or needs to be changed quickly after they have been fed.

‘It is also never cold, collects any wee (which if you have a baby boy you know what I mean!) and is super easy to clean as well. After buying a few cheaper changing mats initially, I wish I had just gotten this one in the first place’, says a fan.

Size: 69.5 x 45 x 9 cm Weight: 1.2 kg

Ickle Bubba Rainbow Dreams Changing Mat , £17.99 at Robert Dyas – buy here

This soft padded baby changing mat has a sweet rainbow design your little one is sure to love.

Designed to fit all Ickle Bubba changing units, it has padding and raised sides and head area to help keep your baby secure.

It's wipe-clean and has soft binding on the edges and no scratchy seams so it's gentle on even the most delicate newborn skin.

Size: H:2.5 x W:48.0 x D:82.0 cm

Anyday Changing Mat, for £6 at John Lewis – buy here

Sometimes all you need in life is a basic option.

And with John Lewis’ newly released AnyDay range which offers style and quality for modern living, we think this one fits the bill perfectly.

Not only is it a well-priced mat (an absolute steal at just £6) it can also be cleaned quickly and easily by wiping with a damp cloth or wet wipe.

It's a standard-sized mat, and because it is fibre-filled it's incredibly soft and flexible.

John Lewis’ changing mats are considered "sturdy", "dependable" and "so reliable" by reviewers, which is reassuring for all new parents.

Size: H70 x W40 x D3.5cm

If you’ve got an animal-themed nursery or even just a lot of soft toys then this lovely mat will compliment them perfectly.

With a stylish safari print that works well in a selection of nurseries, it showcases a lovely selection of animals including a toucan, giraffe, elephant and zebra.

It's foam-filled and has raised sides for a bit of extra support which we think is great for when the baby hits the six-month mark and becomes a lot more active.

White & Grey Safari Animal Baby Changing Mat, £10 from Matalan – buy here

Make changing easy and fuss-free with this large changing mat from Matalan. It features a sweet safari design and is padded with foam for extra comfort.

It is made of 100% PVC with a foam inner which will keep the baby nice and comfy when changing.

It's a snip at just £10, so if you love a bargain then look no further.

Size: 78 x 46cm

This leaf print mat from Mama Shack is a great addition to fit in with the decor of a nursery and is extremely eye-catching.

Not only is it waterproof and wipe-clean, but it is also designed to fit all changing stations and they even have matching accessories to purchase including a nappy holder, changing bag, swaddle blanket, sleepsuits and more.

The wedge anti-roll shape is much thicker than your standard-sized mat and has raised sides to keep the baby firmly in place for easy changing. This will help even the most adventurous of babies who like to roll out at every opportunity.

Size: 70 x 45 x 8 cm

Baby changing mats need to be easy to clean, so look for one that can be wiped down using a baby-safe cleaning product. Some changing mats have machine washable covers, which helps if there's been a poonami incident.

It always helps to get a changing mat that can be folded up easily, especially if you’re out and about a lot for sensory classes or midwife appointments. Some baby changing bags come with a changing mat so it saves the hassle of hunting another one down.

It comes down to personal preference, but it's always handy to have one changing mat in the house and one in the bag—saves at least one minute when you’re trying to leave the house.

Some people might have one changing mat in the baby's room, one downstairs and one in a bag. It always helps to make sure grandparents have their own changing mats too.

There isn't really a time you wouldn't need a baby-changing mat.

While you can get changing tables with mats built in, you will always need a changing mat when you go out. Portable and packable, it means that you don't need to worry about cold, hard floors or staining carpets—trust us, without a changing mat it will happen… in fact, it might happen with one.

You can buy baby changing mats from specialist baby and children's shops and department stores. We would recommend looking for baby-changing mats at the following stores.

Baby changing mats range in price according to the brand and the quality of the materials but you can purchase a good quality changing mat for around £20.

If you do decide to splash out on a luxury baby changing mat for your little one, it's more likely to stand the test of time – and you can always pass it on to another new parent when you no longer need it.