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The ~simply unbeatable~ changing pad for babies

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Organic cotton changing pad covers in DELIGHTFUL prints & colors. What a world.

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Intrusive thoughts re: PFAS and lead? I’m not necessarily recommending it, but scroll for info on how to test your stuff.

Welcome to the polarizing world of changing pads. The people here are very opinionated.

There are easy-to-clean foam options, and there are “cushy” changing pads that pair with a fabric changing pad cover. I was CERTAIN I would be in the former group, because: More laundry? Baby poop on a beautiful cotton cover? Couldn’t be me. 

But from a materials perspective, I found it much easier to vet the makeup of cotton changing pads and covers rather than proprietary, waterproof foams from brands that aren’t super transparent about PFAS (aka forever chemicals, see latest rant) which are often found in water-resistant products.

TLDR: Naturepedic is the category leader in terms of materials health, combining GOTS-certified organic cotton and waterproofing made from non-GMO sugarcane, resulting in a changing pad that is very easy to clean. It’s the best of both worlds. That said, it’s an investment, but for a piece you’ll use many, many times a day for multiple years. It’s also on sale for $110 right now.

And then there’s the EMBARRASSMENT of riches when it comes to organic cotton changing pad covers: Checks. Forest animals. Quilted. For the record, I found myself completely unburdened by changing table laundry. Things really just didn’t get that messy?!

Changing pad covers: Little Unicorn had a now-retired (it appears?) organic cotton changing pad cover line with lovely colorways and dual certification to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and OEKO-TEX, which is the “Sway Gold Standard” (should I trademark this because I repeat it in every other newsletter?). RIP. In its absence, I’m including some 100% GOTS organic cotton options, which are still excellent from a materials health POV and soft for tiny li’l babies to cozy up on. 

Naturepedic, Organic Cotton Changing Pad—polyethylene core wrapped in GOTS certified cotton and food-grade waterproof exterior made from non-GMO sugarcane; GREENGUARD Gold and MADE SAFE Certified ($110 on sale, 15% off automatically applied)

Babyletto, Quilted Changing Pad Cover—100% GOTS certified organic cotton muslin ($36)

Makemake Organics, Organic Changing Pad Cover—100% organic cotton, GOTS certified factory ($28)

Honest, Organic Cotton Changing Pad Cover—100% GOTS certified organic cotton

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P.S. that framed Anna Mörner print above the changing table encountered a toddler foot this week and took a catastrophic tumble. The print will live on, the frame is nevermore. A friend warned me not to hang any art above the changing table. She was right!

And P.P.S., our discount code from ergoPouch is expiring soon on Oct. 15. Use SWAY20 for 20% off fall sleep sacks. It’s cozy season and baby cozies are THE coziest of all cozies.

Here’s a piece from Sway’s newsletter archive: Helpful info for any of you who have ever had the intrusive thought: “…what’s this made of?"

A friend of Sway had artificial turf installed in their yard recently, and started to worry about its makeup since they have a little one who will be spending time out back. We mentioned that PFAS are often a concern with turf, and they were interested in sending a sample of the turf out to be tested. 

While this question made its way to us regarding turf, it has much broader applications: How do you assess a product or finish in your home that’s already been purchased or installed?

Check with the manufacturer. Transparent manufacturers should be able to provide you with a complete list of materials and finishes used in their products, even if they’re not posted on their website, and sometimes, they’ll even share third-party testing data. 

👉 Not satisfied with the information shared by the manufacturer? Your next step is to…

Look for existing testing or assessments performed by reputable third parties. There are plenty of organizations and product standard bodies that test or assess popular products, and may have done the work for you. In our turf example, Sway’s technical advisor, Rebecca Fuoco, MPH, found testing results on multiple turf brands released by the Center for Environmental Health. Rebecca also suggested connecting with individual researchers or academics that specialize in the product category you’re interested in: they’re likely familiar with an array of brands in the space, and may have already performed testing that can help your cause. 

👉 Still can’t get the answers you seek, or perhaps you’re not sure of the brand or manufacturer of the product or finish in question? Your next step is to… 

Send it to the lab: If you’re keen on getting testing done, Rebecca said Galbraith Laboratory is commonly used by reporters and NGOs testing for chemicals of concern.

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Sheryl Crow is in the subject line,
Jennifer @ Sway