Diaper changing station FTM here looking to make up 2 diaper changing stations - one next to the changing pad in the…

I found that a small stack of cloths were really handy the first month. For catching any extra spills. My little one loved to go as we were changing her, so the diaper pad cover was always getting dirty. Putting a burp cloth or something similar under her bottom made accidental messes easier to deal with.

Diapers, powder and wipes

lol ok, I'm old school and have 4 other kids. A "changing station" is almost always the nearest bed or couch. Lol. With ? diapers, I just get a cloth to lay underneath first. Diapers, powder and wipes remain in a closet and diaper bag.

With my first, I swore I'd need everything in the store, lol but I was wrong.

I keep pretty much all toiletries next to the diaper changing station. When I take baby out of a bath or administer medicine I usually do it in the same area. In addition to obvious diapers and wipes, I have a basket with: rash cream, burp cloths, hair brush, nose frida, lotion, pacifier, gripe water, gas drops, saline solution, vitamin d drops (usually recommended for a breast fed baby), hand sanitizer, and a little toy when baby gets a bit bigger.

If you won't put baby there after a bath or administer medicine there then you may not care to have those things at the station. Depends how your house is set up.

I do highly recommend a diaper changing basket though so everything is all in one place.

I use a pack n play with changing table attachment and use receiving blankets as the diaper pad when baby accidentally goes potty there I get another receiving blanket and wipe off the changing table with an antibacterial wipe. I never thought I'd be the type of mom to use a changing table but I am. Especially, after I got a second degree tear with my first born. I didn't want to sit on the floor and change her. Also, when you use cloth diapers aren't usually everywhere so it's easier to have a station.

If you find you don't mind changing baby on a random surface a basket will really help corral everything so it can be carried anywhere.

I always have diapers, wipes, buttcream, and hand sanitizer, and a few outfits for the baby incase they dirtied their outfit somehow.

There are some really good suggestions here, and I completely understand wanting to be prepared, but don't sweat it :)

Within a week of being home you'll know what works for you and baby. Every one is a little different. It's only scary the first day, but that's why it's good to have your SO, mother, or other support person there with you to help you with anything you may have missed in those first 24 hours home. Before you know it you'll be a pro!

Good suggestions already on here! For the pad, I actually just keep either a swaddle blanket or these waterproof pads I have (Boppy brand I think) so if baby messes I can just remove the whole thing, put a new one on and be good to go. Also, I don't have a diaper genie, I prefer to use those Arm & Hammer bags for poopy diapers and just put them in the trash. Our trash is full before a diaper genie would be and much more convenient to take out.

I've always kept at least a couple onesies nearby for quick access while changing the baby's diaper.