Buying changing mats and tables

Joanna Moorhead is a journalist and author specialising in birth and parenting. She is a regular contributor to the Guardian newspaper and to parenting magazines. Joanna lives in London and has four daughters, the youngest of whom was born in 2002.
Changing mats
On average, a baby has his nappy changed approximately 4,500 times before potty training kicks in - so that's an awful lot of times you'll be looking at your changing mat. Since the changing mat is a core item of a baby's must-have item list, don't scrimp on quality: it will have to withstand a lot of use over the two and a half years or more that you'll be using it. Changing mats are padded with raised padded edges to help prevent the baby rolling off, finished with a wipe-clean surface. There's a huge array of different designs on the market. Traditionally changing mats have been bright, cartoon-character embellished and garish - but today's minimalist tastes have led to the addition of plain mats to the market. Ironically, the plainer mats often cost considerably more than one sporting Winnie the Pooh or a colourful teddy bear. Changing mats can be used on the floor, or you can buy a changing unit. Changing units Also known as changing tables or changing stations, these are stand-alone pieces of furniture that are usually kept in your baby's bedroom. The top is a table that's just the right size for a changing mat - many come with a changing mat included - and below are shelves or drawers which can be used for storing nappies, cotton wool, a top and tail bowl, baby wipes and other changing accessories. Pros:
• A changing unit helps you organise all your baby's changing gear in one place
• Many mums hang a mobile above the unit so their baby has something to distract him during a nappy change. Cons:
• They are big and bulky and take up considerable space in the bedroom.
• Changing units are expensive. After a couple of years you'll be left with a piece of furniture you don't need and which may not easily double-up as anything else.

Wall-mounted and over-cot changing tables
Where space is an issue, over-cot and wall-mounted changing units can be very useful, especially if you prefer the idea of changing your baby while standing up rather than kneeling or squatting on the floor. The over-cot changing table fits across the bars of your baby's cot and can be used independently of the cot once your toddler moves to a bed. A variation is the over bath changing table, which is a lidded baby bath which fits on top of the ordinary bath. If you use an over bath changing table though, make sure you always kneel rather than bend to change your baby's nappy, to protect your back. Wall-mounted changing units fold up against the wall when not in use and have storage pockets to hold nappy change paraphernalia.
Portable and disposable changing mats
You also need a changing mat to keep in your changing bag for use when you're out and about. Portable changing mats that roll up are ideal. Some have towelling on one side and are wipe-clean on the other so you can use them as a playmat for a tiny baby too - ideal for when you're visiting friends and need somewhere to lie your baby on the floor. Disposable changing mats are available but they're not very worthwhile - portable mats are so easy to wipe clean (you can use a baby wipe when you're out and about). They're also expensive - by the time you've paid for a couple of packs you could have bought a really good portable mat that rolls up small.
Changing mat gimmicks
Changing mats that play tunes are available but before you buy do ask yourself whether you can bear to hear the same song 4,500 times. Also, never forget that changing time is an ideal opportunity to interact with your baby yourself. Many parents devise their own changing routine - always singing the same song perhaps, so that your baby will learn to join in too as he gets older.

Buying for baby: What you really need

It's tempting to think that when your baby is born you need all sorts of complicated and expensive equipment. In reality, you need very little but of course, you may want to buy a few extras. Our checklist below should give you an idea of what you will need before your baby is born - anything else is a nice extra and can probably wait till after your baby is born.

• Nappies. As newborn babies will need their nappies changed 10-12 times a day, buy enough nappies to keep you going for at least the first few days or so. If you are planning to use reusable nappies, it's a good idea to have at least one packet of disposables handy too.

• Baby wipes or cotton wool, for nappy changing.

• A changing mat, or a changing unit.

• Babygros. Three or four babygros or all-in-one sleepsuits will be very handy. Small babies tend to live in these in their first few months and really don't need to wear anything else, apart from a vest underneath in winter months, or a cardigan over the top if it is very cold.

• Baby vests/body suits. At least three or four vests, also known as body suits, are essential, with envelope necks and poppers underneath. These can be worn under babygros, or when the weather is very hot, a baby vest may be all your baby needs to wear.

• One or two blankets to wrap your baby in.

• One or two cardigans to provide an extra layer.

• An all-in-one warm suit with poppers beneath the legs is useful if your baby is born in winter.

• Moses basket or cot, unless your baby will be sleeping in your bed.

• A mattress which fits the Moses basket, cot or crib.

• Cot sheets and cellular blankets, or a bottom sheet and a baby sleeping bag.

• A baby bath (or you can use a washing up bowl), or a newborn bath support.

• A couple of small towels and some mild baby bath.

• A rear-facing car seat, if your baby will be travelling by car.

• A pram, pushchair or buggy that is suitable for newborn babies (with a lie-flat position).

• Nursing bras and breast pads if you are breastfeeding.

• Bottles, teats, bottle brushes and some sterilising method, if you are bottle feeding.