You can look at changing a diaper as a necessary evil of parenthood or you can embrace it as a great time to bond. Since you’ll be doing it up to 10 times a day, the latter will serve you much better.
In the first few months, you’ll be changing diapers all over your house, so it’s best to have multiple places to do it. You’ll have a diaper changing station in the nursery, but having a few extra diaper changing pads around (one for every floor of your house) will come in very handy. You should also have all the diaper changing essentials within arm's reach of each changing pad, and possibly a few changes of clothes.
Changing a diaper
- Lay your little one down, tummy side up, on a secure changing table or change pad. If the pad is resting on a piece of furniture, be sure to use the safety straps and keep a hand on your baby at all times to prevent a roll over.
- Remove their clothes. This can be a bit tricky if they’ve had a particularly messy accident, and you’ll most likely get some on you. It won't hurt. Just grab a wipe and carry on.
- Unfasten the tabs on the soiled diaper and fold them over. Again, this might be a bit off-putting if the diaper is soiled through.
- Pull down the front half of the diaper and use it to wipe up anything covering your baby’s backside. You could also pull it out and use wipes, but you’ll go through fewer of them by using the diaper – it’s just as effective.
- Grab a wipe (or two) and clean the diaper area, paying close attention to all the little skin folds. It’s easy to lose a particle or two in there.
- Gently lift your little one’s bottom by grasping both ankles in one hand. Fold the soiled diaper in half, clean side up, and slide it out from underneath.
- Take another wipe and go over the diaper area again. Then let them air dry for a few moments. This is a good time to sing to them or make funny faces.
- Lift them again by the ankles and slide a clean diaper, tape side up, underneath, then apply any lotion, baby powder or diaper rash cream as directed by your baby's healthcare provider or the product's label.
- With your baby’s back legs back in the outright position, pull the front of the clean diaper between their legs, keeping it from bunching up. Use one hand to gently hold the diaper against their stomach, just under the abdomen. If you’re changing a newborn, fold down the front half of the diaper to avoid covering the umbilical cord stump. With the other hand, tape one side and secure it to the front of the diaper. Repeat with the other side.
- Make sure the diaper’s not too tight or too loose. You should be able to slide two fingers in the top front of the diaper, but you shouldn’t see any gaps between the fabric and the skin.
Put fresh clothes back on and voilà, you’re done! Now wash your hands and get back to playing!