I do the indentation on one side only, so there's plenty of room for spit ups. If you want to use it for the other side, it works equally well on that side by turning it. I make the pads with flannels, minkee, and soft cottons. Expectant moms love these, and I try to include one or two bibs with ties, in bright colors and with pockets, to catch the food as it drops. The ones with velcro always stick to things in the wash and kids learn how to take off their bibs early when its velcro -- ties aren't so easy. There are tons of free patterns for both burp pads and bibs on line.