How To Set Up The BEST Diaper Changing Station

This image shows a mom with a baby on a baby changing table. It has black text that says "setting up your diaper changing station. The Essentials" — By: Heather Little

Everything You Need At Your Diaper Changing Station

The first year of your baby’s life you’re going to be living in an endless loop of changing dirty diapers. While it’s not exactly glamourous, there’s just no way around it. And our cute little peanuts are totally worth it. That being said, you want to make sure your diaper changing station is totally on-point!

You want your baby changing station to be organized, practical and stocked with ALL of the changing table essentials. It’s also a good idea to have a little portable baby changing station/caddy in reach because you may want to carry it to different rooms of the house throughout the day. A lot of people think all you need at your diaper changing station is diapers and wipes, but that’s not the case. There are actually quite a few things you’re going to want to have on hand at your changing table.

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Changing Table Essentials

Here’s everything you need for your diaper changing station:

Diapers

Duh. First and foremost on the list of changing table essentials…diapers. Stock your changing table with PLENTY of diapers. On average, a newborn baby will go through 8-12 diapers per day.

Wipes

Diapers and wipes go hand in hand. Some of those dirty diapers are going to be pretty gnarly, so you’re going to want your changing station to be very well stocked with wipes. My favorite wipes are the Huggies Natural Care Sensitive Wipes. My baby has extremely sensitive skin, so these work very nicely.

Diaper Rash Cream

Diaper rashes are pretty inevitable. Especially in the hot summer months! You can definitely do things to lessen the frequency and severity of diaper rashes, but they are still bound to happen sometimes. Always have diaper rash cream in reach. My top choices are both Aquaphor Healing Ointment and Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. I recommend keeping both in your diaper changing station because they are both good for different purposes. Aquaphor is great for minor scrapes, and chapped and irritated skin. Where the Butt Paste works wonders for those nasty diaper rashes.

Diaper Cream Paddle

If you have any experience with diaper cream, then you know that stuff is THICK. So it can be a real S.O.B. to get off your hands. These diaper rash cream paddles are so inexpensive that it makes it a no brainer. They save you a lot of hassle and mess which makes them a staple item for your diaper changing table. Just scoop (or squeeze) the diaper cream on the paddle, plaster that little baby butt, and wipe the paddle clean with a single baby wipe. Game Changer!

This image shows a mom with a baby on a baby changing table. It has black text that says "20 Diaper Changing Station Essentials"

Baby Lotion

Make sure you’re applying baby lotion in the morning, and every night after their bath. My baby’s dermatologist advised that we should be applying lotion twice a day. My absolute go-to baby lotion brand is Aveeno. It’s great for baby’s sensitive skin! If your baby suffers from baby eczema like mine does, check this Baby Eczema Therapy Lotion.

Nose Frida

The Nose Frida is all the rage. It seemed REALLY weird to me at first, but it actually does a way better job at clearing out your baby’s boogers then those old fashion bulbs. Since baby’s can’t blow their noses yet, they need a lot of help in that department. And don’t worry…the boogers DON’T get in your mouth!

Thermometer

Keep a minimum of 2 thermometers at your diaper changing station. I learned this lesson after spending an evening at Urgent Care with my newborn that I thought had a high fever, only to find out that our thermometer was wrong! So you’ll want to be able to confirm the temperature. I highly suggest this FridaBaby 3-in-1 Digital Thermometer. It’s adjustable for oral, underarm and rectal readings. I also like to have a Forehead Thermometer on hand. The forehead thermometer also comes in handy for taking your baby’s temperature while they are sleeping, so you don’t need to wake them up.

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Frida Baby Thermometer, 3-in-1 Infrared Thermometer for Ear, Forehead & Touchless, FSA/ HSA Eligible Fever Thermometer for Baby, Infants ,Toddlers, Kids & Adults

RAPID RESULTS: Obtain precise infrared temperature readings in just one second, ensuring quick and accurate assessment using the infrared thermometer.
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EASY TO READ: Stay informed about high temperatures through the color-coded screen and optional sound alerts, providing a user-friendly way to monitor your child’s well-being.

TEMPERATURE MEMORY: Our baby thermometer conveniently stores up to 40 previous temperature readings, allowing you to track changes and trends over time for a comprehensive health overview.
CARRY IT ANYWHERE: Powered by batteries, this thermometer is portable and can accompany you wherever you go. It also comes with a storage pouch for safekeeping when not in use.

Pacifiers

Keep a few pacifiers on hand for when your baby is feeling extra fussy during those diaper changes.

Extra Changing Pad Cover

Keep an extra changing pad cover at your changing table because accidents are going to happen. Your baby’s going to pee on it while you’re trying to get a new diaper on, there’s going to be blow outs where the cover gets dirty, etc. Fun stuff, right mama?

Hand Sanitizer

For obvious reasons. At my diaper changing station, I like to keep a bottle of this Alcohol Free Babyganics Hand Sanitizer. It’s formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial fragrances or dyes.

Diaper Genie/Pail

Every once in a while I’ll see the Diaper Genie on lists of “baby products you don’t actually need”. But I will never understand why people put it on that list. You absolutely need a Diaper Genie/Pail at your baby changing station. Not only are are not going to have time to run the diaper to the outdoor trashcan 8-12 times a day, but it also helps to control the odor. Which is way a regular trash can won’t do. It’s really not very expensive at all, and given how often you will use it every day, and for how long you will use it, it’s totally worth the money.

This image has a picture of a baby diaper changing station. The changing table is light brown in color, against a heavily white background. There's black text that says "How to set up your changing table. Changing table essentials." There is also a tan brown circle on the bottom right corner of the image with black text that says "20 things you need at your diaper changing station."

Diaper Genie/Pail Liners

Keep your Diaper Genie Refill Bag s in close reach from your diaper changing station. Also, get them on Amazon’s Subscribe and Save Program! You can save a good bit this way. Do the same thing with diapers, wipes, etc.

Onesies

Have extra changes of clothes nearby for when you need to switch your baby into clean clothes. For example, if you find yourself in a classic “blow out situation”…you’ll want those clean clothes in arms reach.

First Aide Kit – With Nail Clippers

The diaper changing station is the easiest and best place to trim your baby’s nails. Check out this Royal Angels Baby Electric Nail Trimmer to make things easier and safer for your baby!

Baby Nail Trimmer 21 in 1, with Labeled case, Includes 13 Extra Replacement Tools, Royal Angels Baby Electric Nail Kit, Baby Nail Care, LED Nail File Newborn Toddler Toes & Fingernails Clipper (Blue)

[USAGE LABELED 21 in 1 Value Set]: 4 cushioned sandpapers file attachments tools for baby’s nails, and 2 file attachments for adult’s nails. BONUS: 13…
[NAIL CUTTING MADE EASY]: Royal Angels electric nail files are designed to SAFELY and QUICKLY trim and polish toe and fingernails for both BABIES and…
[WHISPER QUIET & LED LIGHTED]: The nail file is powered by a powerful but WHISPER QUIET motor. With a LED light aimed at fingernails, you can trim…

[PORTABLE AND EASY TO USE DESIGN]: These nail files are super EASY TO USE with only one button to control speed and rotation (clockwise/reverse)….

Swaddles

After you get your baby all changed into a clean diaper, it’s the perfect time to swaddle them up for their nap or bedtime. I’ve spoken about these before, but I HIGHLY recommend the HALO Sleepsack Swaddle. Make sure you get the right now…the SWADDLE one. This is by far one of my best “Mom Purchases” that was a total life saver on more than one occasion!

Laundry Basket

Have a laundry basket at your diaper changing station too so you have somewhere to easily toss the dirty clothes. Check out this trendy Large Cotton Rope Basket. It’ll go perfectly with just about any nursery design.

Night Light

Keep a night light by your baby changing station for those middle of the night changes. The last thing you want to do is turn on a bright light in the middle of the night when you’re already crossing all of your fingers and toes and praying to God that your baby will go back to sleep! This #1 Best Seller Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine Night Light is really cool. You can control it through an APP on your phone and it has tons of cool settings. Definitely check this one out. If you’re still waiting on your baby’s arrival, then put it on your baby registry!

Small Rattle/Toy

Some babies absolutely HATE getting their diaper changed. So keep some of their favorite small toys at your diaper changing station.

Trash Can

In addition to your Diaper Genie, just keep a small trashcan by your baby changing station. This way you’ll have a quick place to toss the trash such as empty wipe bags, diaper cream bottles, etc.

Portable Baby Changing Station/Caddy

It’s important to have a portable diaper changing station for a couple reason. For one, it will make changing diapers on the go a lot easier, and cleaner. I’m sorry but I do NOT trust putting my baby on those changing tables in public bathrooms. But also, depending on the layout of your house, you may not always feel like taking your baby to their nursery to change their diaper. This Gimars Portable Changing Pad is awesome. It has a changing pad to lay your baby while changing them, pockets for ALL of your changing table essentials. Plus it has a special place for the baby wipes so you can easily grab them.

Gimars Diaper Bag, 900D Waterproof Baby Diaper Backpack with Foldable Changing Pad, Baby Shower Gifts, Large Travel Back Pack for Boys Girls, Pink

【Large Capacity with 2 main & 13 functional pockets keep all stuffs organized】Our diaper bag is lightweight with 3lb and Size is 16.8 x 12.7 x 4.6inches. Diaper bag with 2 main…
【High Quality & Premium 900D Waterproof Durable Material】The backpack diaper bags adopt waterproof, lightweight, breathable, durable and tear-resistant 900D Oxford fabric….

【3 Unique Aluminum Foil Insulation Pockets & USB Charging Port】There are three insulated bottle holders pockets in the backpack made of aluminum foil and nano flame retardant…
【Various Ways to Carry】This bag can be used as a diaper backpack, or it can be connected to a stroller with a buckle on the shoulder strap. Very suitable for travel, outing,…