How to Change a Diaper
Changing your baby’s diaper can feel intimidating if you’re a new parent. But it doesn’t have to be.
It’s a simple process that takes little time. And it’s essential to know how to change your baby’s diaper to ensure they stay healthy and happy.
Gather Your Supplies
When changing a diaper, the most important thing is to have everything you need within reach. This will save you time and energy from searching for supplies mid-change.
A clean diaper, wipes, a disposable bag for dirty diapers (if using cloth), latex gloves, and a fresh set of clothes are all excellent items to have on hand.
Make sure you’re changing your baby on a comfortable and secure surface, like a towel or changing mat. This will help you change them without worrying about the mess slipping off and onto other surfaces. Changing them on the floor can be dangerous for their skin, especially if there is a lot of urine or feces in the diaper. It’s also essential to use a diaper designed for this purpose and fastened correctly.
Lay Baby Down
You should lay your baby on a clean surface like a towel or changing pad. This is important because it will keep the area you’re working on clean from any messes that might come your way.
It is also a good idea to keep the wiggly baby entertained while you do your job, so consider hanging a mobile above their changing area or playing a little game with a toy. Using an exciting toy will help keep a wiggly baby calm and focused, which may be crucial for changing a diaper without fuss.
Finally, you can even use a night light to keep the room dark and quiet so your baby won’t be disturbed during the diaper change. However, don’t turn on bright lights or talk to your baby during the process, as it might be too much of a distraction and wake her up.
Unfasten Diaper Tabs
Before you remove the soiled diaper, unfasten the tabs on either side. This will prevent it from grabbing the baby’s skin and make it easier to clean up.
Next, place a new diaper under your baby’s bottom. The portion with tabs goes in the back, under your baby’s bottom (and then the bills reach around and fasten in the front).
If you have a newborn, fold the front of the diaper down so it doesn’t rub against your baby’s umbilical stump.
Next, apply ointments or creams to help prevent diaper rash and treat your baby’s irritated skin. Before you close the diaper, point your baby’s penis downward to help prevent pee from coming out of the front of the diaper.
Remove Soiled Diaper
While changing a baby’s diaper, removing any soiled diapers and cleaning the area is essential. Doing so helps prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.
First, you’ll want to wipe the baby’s thighs and sides using a disinfectant wipe. This is especially important if you’re changing a diaper in a public bathroom.
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Once you’re done, place the soiled diaper and any dirty wipes in a plastic bag or diaper pail for disposal.
Storing soiled diapers correctly can help keep the house smelling less like a latrine and minimize staining. If you’re using cloth diapers, it’s a good idea to store dirty diapers in a wet bag until you can run a load of laundry. This will save you time, water, and energy!
Clean the Area
Cleaning the area at every diaper change is essential to keep the baby’s skin healthy. Excess wetness on the skin, friction between the diaper and skin, and irritants from poop and urine can damage the skin barrier, irritating.
Use a damp wipe or cotton ball to cleanse the area gently. Start in the upper room and work down to clean all skin folds.
Wipe from front to back (front for girls and back for boys). Be sure to wipe inside all creases of the baby’s legs and buttocks, too.
After cleaning, place a clean diaper underneath your baby’s bottom and fasten the sticky tabs on both sides. Dispose of the dirty diaper and used wipes carefully, keeping them outside your baby’s reach.
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