Depending on how I’m feeling, I sometimes use 1 or 2 traditional baby changing pads lined up together. I have some Summer Infant changing pads made of PEVA that I don’t use much anymore (
https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Contoured-Changing-Pad/dp/B009EDSWJA). The sides have been manufactured slightly flattened for at least the past 7 years. (See the review photos to know what I mean. It seems to be the case on a lot of changing pads which I don’t like. The higher sides just seem more babyish to me.)
My favorite is a LA Baby 32” changing pad (
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000G7TJXG) It’s made of vinyl and has a rose pattern stamped into it that I remember.
I went on a church trip when I was in the 8th grade. We stayed the weekend in another church and my group got to stay in the room that was typically the nursery. There was a long counter with changing area built in at the end of it right in front of the window and it had the rose pattern pad on it. There were so many of us that one of us slept on the counter.
The next night, I told the boy sleeping on the counter that I didn’t mind trading with him, so I did. Instead of sleeping on regular part of the counter, I slept on the changing table part in a sleeping bag with my legs over a pile of toys. I used the excuse that it was cooler by the window (which was true) and I didn’t have a problem sleeping in odd positions. That was a fun weekend for me.
I was so happy to locate that exact pattern some time later. Combined with the vinyl which I feel is more babyish, it was perfect, except the ones I got also had flattened side phenomenon from earlier.
I also have this PEVA changing pad for travel or when I don’t want to take out the regular ones:
https://www.amazon.com/Changing-Pad-Portable-Waterproof-Stroller/dp/B01DCMNQUI
I love the babyish print, though it’s not my most favorite design, and the fact that PEVA is noisy. The fact that it’s plasticky reinforces the fact that I’m a little baby and things need to be guarded from my messes. Coming out of a babyish Pooh diaper bag doesn’t help.
I also like the British style changing pads (although I think they’re called changing mats over there). I might get some in the future too.
I don’t like the cloth changing pad covers they’ve been using in recent years (not sure if it’s a recent phenomenon or not) or towels. Nothing says to me you’re a baby more than the feeling of cold plastic on your back and bottom, knowing your on a
baby’s changing pad about to be diapered up like a
baby.