How to Make My Own Baby Changing Pad for Travel

Traveling with a baby can be challenging. You must be prepared for many contingencies and carry the appropriate supplies and equipment to care for the little one during the trip. Diaper changing requires a specialized pad on which the baby can lie. The pad should be waterproof to protect whatever surfaces are used for changing. It should be foldable and compact to make it easy to carry in a diaper bag or large purse, and it should have a pocket to accommodate extra diapers and wipes.

Instructions

1

Cut two rectangles of the oil cloth or tablecloth for the outer fabric. Use the height of the baby plus 3 inches for the long side length. Use one third of the baby's height measurement plus 3 inches for the width. Cut four pieces of ribbon, each 5 to 7 inches long.

2

Cut a square of fabric one third of the size of the outer fabric. Turn one edge to the inside and stitch a 1-inch hem. This is the pocket for extra diapers and wipes. Lay the inside of the pocket square onto the outside of one end of the outer fabric, and pin in place.

3

Lay the outsides of the fabric together, and pin together. Stitch all layers together along one long side and both short sides. Place your stitches 5/8 inches from the edge. Remove all pins.

4

Clip a straight cut from the excess fabric at each stitched corner. Turn the fabric to the outside. Fold the project in thirds. Mark each fold with a pin or with a piece of tape.

5

Stitch a seam along each fold to form three pockets for the foam. Lay a ribbon tie at right angles to the center of each of the pocket seams and stitch the tie into the seam. The ties should be on the opposite side of the pad from the diaper pocket so that the extra diapers and wipes can be secured inside the pad when it is folded up and tied.

6

Cut three squares of the foam using the width of the outer fabric minus 1 inch for all sides. Slip a square of foam into each of the three pockets in the cover.

7

Fold the edges of the open long side of the fabric in toward the inside of the pad. Stitch along the top of the fold on the outside. Fold the pad along the fold seams and then in half, and tie with the ribbon ties.