Let’s face it, when you’re traveling with a baby, the road is full of unexpected and challenging situations, and that includes the inevitable messes! Spilled food, spit-ups, vomit, and full diapers are difficult enough to deal with at home, let alone while traveling or flying with your baby. But that’s where a baby travel change mat come in!
Baby travel changing mats can help you navigate these situations by making clean-up and changing faster and in our opinion, are an absolute essential when traveling with a baby. Here, you’ll find out all you need to know for making your purchase as well as a list of the best travel changing mat options. I’m certain you’ll find the perfect portable baby change mat for you, so keep reading!
Best Baby Travel Change Mats
- What is a portable change mat?
- What to look for in a baby travel changing mat?
- Best Baby Travel Changing Mats
- 1. Skip Hop Pronto Baby Travel Change Mat
- 2. BABY LOOVI Store Baby Portable Changing Pad
- 3. Gimars Large Capacity 6 Pockets Baby Portable Changing Pads
- 4. J.L. Childress Full Body Portable Baby Changing Pad
- 5. Comfy Cubs Baby Portable Baby Change Mat
- 6. Kopi Baby Portable Diaper Changing Pad
- 7. Babebay Store Portable Changing Pad for Baby
- 8. Lil Fox Baby Changing Travel Mat
- 9. Toolik Baby Diaper Changing Pad
- 10. Altino Portable Diaper Changing Pad for Baby
- Other Baby Travel Gear
- Pin It For Later!
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What is a portable change mat?
A portable change mat is a diaper changing mat that can be folded and carried in your diaper bag or stroller. Some are simple and disposable changing pads, where others have features like pockets or come as a clutch.
Do you need a travel changing mat?
If you are wondering if a travel changing mat is necessary, we are here to say that it is! This is the single most used baby travel item. You’ll still be changing plenty of diapers and having a portable change mat makes it easier to day anywhere!
What to look for in a baby travel changing mat?
A travel changing mat has the same uses as a regular changing table, except that it is compact and folds up to easily fit into your diaper bag or under your travel stroller, making it an must-have travel stroller accessory!
Perfect for when you’re on the go, there are plenty of great portable changing mats for both babies and toddlers on the market today. What choosing your ideal baby changing mat depends on, however, is the key features you’re looking for.
This can be anything from its size when folded up, the amount of extra storage it has, or how much padding and head support it offers.
Here’s what to look for to find the best travel change mat for your family:
Size/Compactness
An ideal portable baby change mat should be large enough for both babies and toddlers, yet slim enough to carry or fit into your diaper bag. A clasp or a buckle helps to keep the fold/roll securely fastened without adding bulk to the bag or backpack diaper bag.
Portability
Baby travel changing mats are usually carried in a diaper bag, under a stroller, or around the wrist. Most of the higher-end products out there come with a loop or a wrist band that makes it easy to carry and hassle-free to store while on the go.
Material
Waterproof, wet-wipe friendly, and soft on the skin are the most important features to look for when purchasing a changing mat. This ensures it stays dry, relatively germ-free, and free of nasty odors. A portable waterproof change mat is the best for travel.
Comfort
Ensuring that your baby feels comfortable in an otherwise uncomfortable situation is one of the benefits of owning an excellent travel diaper changing mat. There are options for this purpose, with built-in head support or general padding. Moreover, it’s crucial to get a travel changing mat with a good head cushion if you have a newborn, and even more so if they’ve been through a tough delivery.
Price
A changing mat, despite being a baby travel essential, should not burn a hold in your pocket. You can get an adequate travel changing mat for less than $10, and a fully loaded travel changing mat with pockets for a maximum of $30. Whatever your budget, it can’t be denied that pricing is an important factor when deciding on the best travel change mat for your little one.
Cheap portable changing pads, although fundamental, will still provide everything you’ll need to change a baby on the go. The more luxurious mats, on the other hand, usually have top-quality details and extra features such as extra storage and wrist loops.
Storage capacity and Functionality
Most of the higher-end changing mats come with additional pockets and sleeves which make it easier to carry extra diapers, creams, and even toys. A number of them also come equipped with a separate baby wipes case which comes in handy when in a pinch. Some others even come with complete organization from side pockets to hidden zips to fully foldable changing bags.
Ultimately, the option to carry extra baby essentials with your mat means you will always have everything you need, especially when you need it the most!
Best Baby Travel Changing Mats
There’s no need to sacrifice style or functionality when choosing a baby travel change mat! However, based on your specific requirements, modes of transport, vacation destination, and budget constraints, your choice may vary. Here is a list of our top portable baby change mats that will help make picking one easier!
Our Top Recommendations for Baby Travel Change Mats
Best Travel Changing Mat: Skip Hop Pronto Baby Travel Change Mat
The Skip Hop Pronto portable change mat is the best all around plus it’s perfect for flying. It folds into a clutch that keeps everything you need to grab and go for diaper changes. No need to carry your entire diaper bag into the cramped airplane bathroom!
Best Portable Change Mat for Budgets: Comfy Cubs Baby Portable Baby Change Mat
If you are on a strict budget, just want a low cost item to add on to a baby shower gift or looking for an extra change mat, you can’t go wrong with the Comfy Cubs portable change mat.
Best Travel Change Mat for Toddlers: BABY LOOVI Store Baby Portable Changing Pad
For toddlers and babies that are on the move, having an extra large size is well worth it!
Best for a Baby Shower Gift: Skip Hop Pronto Baby Travel Change Mat or Gimars Large Capacity 6 Pockets Baby Portable Changing Pads
Both of these travel change mats have it all and make excellent baby shower gifts for parents who love to travel!
1. Skip Hop Pronto Baby Travel Change Mat
The modern and elegant design of this travel mat only enhances the numerous other features that the changing pad provides. It has mesh pockets inside that hold up to 4 diapers, a flap outside to hold some essentials for parents, and a translucent, easy-to-replenish baby wipe case.
Whether you fold it into a stylish clutch and wear it around your wrist, attach it to a diaper bag, or stow it away under your stroller, this compact changing pad is sure to become your newest travel companion in no time.
A soft, laminated material is used on both the inside and the outside of the mat, ensuring that it can be wiped clean as well as machine washed (dryer usage is not advisable).
And while it is one of the more expensive portable mats on this list, just know that a good portable waterproof change mat is like an investment. It pays off with a hassle-free holiday with your baby!
2. BABY LOOVI Store Baby Portable Changing Pad
In a market full of neutral and solid-colored products, this super-cute and brightly colored mat feels like a breath of fresh air! The generous size of the mat gives your little one the space they need to move around, while its ample padding provides them with the snug comfort that makes for a happy change. It's made from a waterproof, skin-friendly material that helps keep it dry and odorless, avoiding irritation and allergies.
And while it doesn't come with a clasp or a wrist band, it is the most affordable on this list and one of the best choices. Just fold it or roll it up before throwing it into your go-bag or placing it under your airplane travel stroller, and it will hardly even be a problem.
3. Gimars Large Capacity 6 Pockets Baby Portable Changing Pads
This product by Gimars has the potential to be crowned "The Beast" of the changing pads because of how much it can hold!
And with 6 additional pockets to hold anything you may need and more, there will be no wondering why. With that much storage means is that there is no need for a diaper bag, making it perfect for longer vacations that involve smaller trips.
It's everything you need in one place in a convenient-to-carry clutch. While it is a tad heavier on the pocket book than average, its durability and functionality ensure that it lives up to the hype.
4. J.L. Childress Full Body Portable Baby Changing Pad
No bells and whistles with this one! If you're looking for a full-body, foldable baby changing pad that understands the assignment and delivers on it to a T, then you need the J.L Childress Portable Baby Changing Pad. Extra-large, fully padded for comfort, and complete with a germ-free surface, it's perfect for diapering on the go.
The wipe-clean changing surface uses a lead and phthalate free waterproof material to ensure maximum safety and hygiene for babies and toddlers. It is solid, lightweight, and above all, gets the job done - and well!
5. Comfy Cubs Baby Portable Baby Change Mat
This lightweight, compact, and affordable travel changing mat is one of the most popular products out there for the job! Made from durable polyester, this water-proof mat makes cleaning up a less fussy affair. The padded headrest provides comfort for baby's head and neck while changing.
Modern and well-crafted, this wipeable travel changing mat is a great choice to fold up and throw it in your diaper bag. Comfy Cubs also offers a no-questions-asked return policy if you find you are dissatisfied with the product. It's the kind of confidence only a fine product could instill!
6. Kopi Baby Portable Diaper Changing Pad
If you’re looking for a swiss army knife equivalent of a baby portable changing mat, then your search ends here. This chic, foldable changing mat clutch comes with two mesh pockets inside, a flap outside, and an extra detachable storage space. Whether open or folded up, this portable change mat grants easy access to wipes with its smart wipes pocket making it a full-service solution during baby changing emergencies.
Additionally, this mat is waterproof, wipeable, and easy to disinfect for the safety of your baby. While all these extra features make this one of the more luxuriously-priced products out there, many agree that it is well worth the extra money. If nothing else, the product's 30-day guarantee is sure to convince you to try it.
7. Babebay Store Portable Changing Pad for Baby
The Babebay Store Portable Changing Pad is one of the most popular products on this list due to its lightweight, compact size, and affordability. The baby changing mat is made of a waterproof Oxford fabric and a PEVA fabric, which makes it easy to clean and safe to use on delicate baby bottoms.
It also has a head-rest pillow for your little one's comfort. One of the sleekest and most durable mats on the market, it fits easily into a diaper backpack without adding much bulk, making it perfect for throwing in your hiking backpack carrier when hiking with your baby.
8. Lil Fox Baby Changing Travel Mat
Designed with a rapid-open hook and loop fastener to make handling easy, this stylish arrow print changing pad will make single-handed changes easy as can be! Lil Fox Portable Diaper Changing Pad comes with a wipes compartment that holds a hundred wipes, a diaper pocket with space for 5 diapers, as well as a zippered sleeve.
And with a 300D PU outer shell and a PEVA interior that is easy to wipe clean, you'll see that this waterproof travel change mat really has thought of everything.
Although slightly higher in price, this pad comes with a lifetime guarantee and a full refund policy that makes trying it out a no-brainer.
9. Toolik Baby Diaper Changing Pad
Sleek, sophisticated, and ultra-stylish is what best describes this black, geometric-pattern printed diaper changing pad. The waterproof travel changing mat is the perfect size for a changing table when open, for a diaper bag when folded, and is large enough to use until your baby is potty trained!
Designed to fit any diaper bag, it comes with a loop to make grabbing it and slinging it anywhere you please quick and easy. A quirky, yet simple addition to this mat is the printed ruler on the inner surface that helps you monitor the growth of your little one. It's the mat that's designed just for you and your little one!
10. Altino Portable Diaper Changing Pad for Baby
Keeping your baby's head cushioned is easy with the ½ inch memory foam pillow that is built into the Alatino Portable Changing Pad. The generous size makes it large enough for use with both newborns and toddlers, all without affecting its portability. Compact and light as it is, it fits into any diaper bag with ease and attaches conveniently onto strollers, diaper bags, and headrests.
The changing pad comes with a built-in smart wipes case that is large enough to fit both small and large wipe packages, allowing access to them when the pad is folded up and in use. Its rapid-open buckle only adds to the ease of using it with one hand, really highlighting its functionality for the busy parent on the go!
- Unfolded Size: 25" x 21"
- Folded: 8" x 11"
- Features: clutch, head pillow, pocket for wipes & more
Other Baby Travel Gear
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This post was written & edited by:
Celine is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she's been helping new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.