Ridiculous question - changing pad *and* cover?

We're setting up for kiddo #2, re-purchasing/borrowing all the stuff we didn't bring over from the states from our now-3y.o.'s baby days.
One of which is a changing pad and cover, which seems impossible to find here? Silly question, but how do Brits change their babies? I'm used to a changing mat with cotton covers that are removable and washable (and boy with kiddo one did we ever need to wash them!). What I seem to be finding in the big boxes here is a plastic covered foam thing (with ugly patterns, but I'll leave my more modern aesthetics out of it). Aren't these cold and sticky? Plus, I honestly don't feel like sanitising it every time waste gets on it (we had truly awful experiences with explosive bms). But, I would imagine a towel placed on top would just slip around? I guess I make my own?Anyways, obviously over thinking this, but i feel like I must be going about it drastically different from the British way, and just want to know how to work with the system!
Thanks!

I didn't find much in the way of covers, either.  I ended up buying some in the US on a trip a few months before our little guy arrived and used them on a contour changing pad from John Lewis.  I really didn't like the idea of just the plasticky pad, and once I bought what I wanted, I stopped searching here.  Which is to say I have no idea what the norm is.   

I did the same thing as Ophinky. The plastic ones also seemed really thin and not so comfy for baby. I think JL now sells a pad (kind of like a small terry hand towel) to use with the thin ones so they can at least be washed.

I'm looking to sell my JL pad and 2 Pottery Barn Kids covers if you don't want to make your own. (its these ones in green.....http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/changing-pad-and-chamois-cover/?pkey=e|changing%2Bpads|2|best|0|1|24||1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-).

PM me if interested.

Thanks, 0phinky. I'm guessing the covers fit the JL pad well enough? We may very well end up going that route as well...

Bahahaha! I bought Pottery Barn Kids covers, too!    also picked up some Carter's ones.  I used those JL terry liner things on top of the covers early on, our little guy liked to pee mid diaper change, and the liners are plastic backed, so it meant I didn't have to do as many full cover changes.  Both the PBK and Carter's covers fit fine.

I just didn't like the idea of putting the baby on the plasticky mat -- sticky in the summer and cold in the winter and given a little boy who peed during changes, I didn't need THAT going everywhere and making a big old mess. 

Mamas and Papas do a really nice line of fabric covered changing mats!

We bought one of these from mothercare, although I think we should have more than one! It is a bit tight on the wedge mat but does its job, it's much more pleasant than just a plastic mat!

http://www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Wedge-Changing-Mat-Cover/749747,default,pd.html?cm_sp=ProductFeatures-_-Category%2520landing-_-Mothercare%2520Wedge%2520Changing%2520Mat%2520Cover&q=cover&q=cover

You can buy changing mat covers. They're not that common but a google search can find you some. We had one given to us with our changing mat but I rarely used it because I found wiping the mat down rather than having to take the cover off was easier. Although when the girls were really young I did have a receiving blanket down. It didn't slip around or anything.

Receiving blankets were the thing I had to have. You can't get them in the UK. They only have muslin clothes were are too expensive and not the same thing. I had my family send me over a ton. The girls are 2 and I'm still using them for random things around the house. They're the best.

I bought a fleece mat with a waterproof back that was meant for travel but we used it everywhere including on the changing table. I still have it and use it in our summer 'emergency' travel kit for when the boys get unexpectedly wet and need to sit somewhere and change clothes (we were at a river last weekend where this happened).

I also got a pack of Ikea washcloths - something like 12 in a pack I think? I used them under bums as well in case of mid-change accidents. Fortunately for us, those were rare.

IKEA does changing mats that are inflatable and seperately sells 2 packs of terry fitted covers for them. They are fab, we have one in his room on the changing unit and another in the bathroom for the pre-bath change.  We got extra covers too.  It's the Gullunge mat and covers

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/90140548/

We have a plastic mat like the Mothercare one and it doesn't seem to make the baby's bum cold! We have some reusable bamboo wipes (available on ebay) which are good for sprinkles mid-change, or to put down in between nappies if it's reeeely horrible.

We keep some toilet disinfectant wipes handy to wipe down the mat as necessary.

I'm with you. I, too, thought - what's with the rubbish changing mats here?!? But now I just use my plasticky one happily, as whenever there's a pee or poo issue, I can just wipe down the mat and I don't have to worry about yet MORE washing. One of those odd things about moving to another country - some of the things that first drive you crazy turn out to be quite pleasant after a while!

I had my son here in the UK so I have one of the plastic covered foam things and have never known any different. I've never seen a cloth covered one!