When I registered with the pampers website I was sent some vouchers for nappies and also for a pack of care mats. The voucher entitled me to 50p off a pack of twelve care mats. The price of the care mats put me off a bit but the a mixture of the voucher and also the fact that pampers claim that they are reusable upto 100 changes made me buy them.
Packaging ********* The care mats come in a green plastic packet rather like pampers nappies do. There is the usual Pampers logo at the top of the packet and then Change Mats written in a banner. There is a picture of a blonde mother changing a little boy on a bench by a big bush of flowers and they both are smiling and generally looking like the care mats are the best thing since sliced bread. There is also a diagram showing how the mats absorb liquid and would be like lying on a big nappy.
There is the usual instructions and specifications on the sides and the back but we'll come to those later.
First Impressions ***************** When I first puulled one of these out of the packet (which was very easy as the packet is perforated like nappy packets) I was impressed with the softness of the mat. They are very silky and are quite padded so if a surface is hard (like a bench) then baby can still be changed in comfort. They are quite large measuring 60cm by 60cm and they do seem to be quite absorbant.
What I Don't Like About Them **************************** Even though the mats are absorbant and should be able to be used over and over again, this is only true if nothing is spilled on them as they begin to smell. I was top n tailing my daughter on one and some soapy water was spilled onto it. It disappeared almost instantly but I noticed that the mat had begun to smell musty after about an hour.
Final Conclusions ***************** I believe that the care mats are a good idea but they are way too expensive at £4.78 for 12. The only time I have ever bought these has been when I have recieved a voucher for them.
They are excellent for putting in your changing bag to use quickly and as they are lighter and less bulky than normal travel changing mats. They can be used over and over again as long as nothing is spilled on them (which is unlikly when it comes to changing babies).
Do's and Don'ts *************** Pampers suggest that the change mats can be used in all sorts of situations... *as a travel changing mat *underneath a potty to catch spills *as an absorbant mat so baby can have a kick-about with nothing on to help reduce nappy rash *as a liner on sofas to stop accidents *as a play mat to absorb spills like juice and paint for older children *as a dribble cloth
Pampers also state that children under 12 months should not be left unsupervised on the care mats or allowed to sleep on top of them as they are plastic backed and whould interfere with how well a mattress would work to let air through. For children over 12 months they can be used underneath sheets to save the mattress if there are any accidents although they probably would only catch small leaks and not a full wee.
I think I will probably buy these again as they do come in handy when you are out, but they are too expensive for every day use when a folded sheet or towel will do.
Hope this helps.
Lex xxx
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i agree i brought these once to put in my daughters buggy incase of accidents and i only did that once!
AlexW 22.04.2003 14:26
Good op, I have a voucher for these too but as I tend to just stick an old towel in the change bag I havent bought any. :) Alex
jlearner 12.04.2003 13:37
I think these are a godsend. My daughter will be 2 at the end of this month and I've been using them since she was born and couldn't have done without them. They are expensiv in the beginning but now I can use the same one for months before needing to change it.
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