Whether you choose to use cloth diapers or disposable, all new parents will need to know how to change a diaper, but some may be afraid to ask. This guide will teach you how to change a diaper, the pros and cons of the different styles of nappies, and a few tricks to make your diaper changing more efficient and hygienic.
How to Know a Diaper Needs Changing
Knowing when to change a diaper is not difficult. A dirty diaper will smell. A wet diaper may have a noticeable sag and or a blue line in the middle and look heavy. It’s also possible to feel whether the diaper needs changing by placing your flat palm on your baby’s bottom. You can also take a quick peek if you are not sure by pulling on the top of the diaper.
It’s a good idea to make a habit of changing a diaper after meals and naps to ensure your baby almost always has a clean and comfortable bottom.
Diaper Changing Supplies
To change a diaper, you will need:
- One baby with a wet or dirty bottom
- Extra diaper pins for cloth nappies
- Clean diaper
- Soft, waterproof changing mat
- Diaper rash cream or ointment
Place all of your items within easy reach as you will only have one hand free to grab them.
How to Change a Diaper
Babies are machines for producing human waste, so diaper changing is something you will become an expert at very quickly. However, if you’ve never changed a diaper before, here’s how to do it.
Start by washing your hands, or use some hand sanitizer if you are out and about. Get all your gear ready before you start. It never ends well when you have a squirming baby and an open, messy diaper and need to rummage around your bag searching for the wipes.
Lay your soft, waterproof changing mat on a clean, stable surface before placing the baby down.
Changing tables are designed to prevent new babies from rolling and falling off. The floor can provide a safe, stable surface if you have good knees, but you can also use the top of a dresser, a bed, or a desk.
Wherever you do the changing, you must have one hand on the baby at all times to prevent them from rolling. A changing table will not prevent a determined baby from falling off the sides. New babies might not roll, but it doesn’t take long for them to develop this early skill.
Now that you have all your diaper-changing supplies on hand and the baby safely placed, it’s time to open the diaper. If the diaper is just wet, you can fold it underneath the baby with the clean side facing up against the baby’s bottom.
Clean their bottom with lukewarm water or a baby wipe if there are no faucets handy. A soft washcloth or cotton pads will also work.
A good tip for cleaning baby boys is to cover the penis with a clean diaper. Cool fresh air on this sensitive area can trigger a sudden and unexpected flow.
For poopy diapers, use the diaper to clean off as much of the waste as possible before employing the wipe. Make sure to raise their legs to clean the bottom and the creases between the legs. Girls should be wiped from front to back to prevent the spread of germs into the vagina.
Fold the dirty nappy to contain the waste. However, don’t remove it entirely just yet, because babies are always full of surprises.
Pat their bottom dry with a soft cloth. When the bottom is completely dry, apply some ointment or diaper cream to prevent diaper rash.
Gently raise baby’s legs by holding them with one hand at the ankle and swap out the dirty diaper for a fresh one. A good tip is to place the clean diaper down first and place your baby on the fresh diaper so it is already in place before you begin
The fresh diaper should be flat and reach up to the center of your baby’s back. If you are using Velcro diapers or ones with a snap closing system, you may need to hold them flat until the baby fully rests on the diaper. Some diapers will try to fold back in on themselves otherwise.
Fold the other half of the diaper up and over. It should reach the center of your baby’s waistline. Flare out each side. How much you flare out will depend on your baby’s size and the width of their waistline. Do one side at a time and fold them over to the center of the waist, where you will affix each side to the middle fold.
When using pins, push them through the top layers while ensuring the sharp end points away from the navel. Some fasteners are more convenient and safer to use than safety pins, such as Snappibaby clips, so consider your options.
Cloth diapers can now be rinsed and soaked to get them ready for the washing machine. Flush as much solid waste into the toilet before discarding a disposable diaper or rinsing and soaking a cloth version.
Diaper Variations
There are a ton of options for diapers now. Disposable diapers are very convenient when you are out and about, but many parents supplement disposables with reusable cloth diapers. Here are a few of your diaper choices.
Flats
These are the diapers your grandma used on your parents and were pretty much the only option back in the day. They are essentially large, square pieces of fabric made from cotton, hemp, terrycloth, and even bamboo.
You will need to develop your folding skills to use flats, with different variations according to the size and age of your babies. Waterproof diaper covers are used over the top of cloth flats to contain moisture.
If you are after a budget option for diapers, then flats are the way to go.
Prefolds
These are cloth diapers with a thick center of extra fabric layers and are available in various fabrics. Prefolds are held in place by a waterproof cover made from breathable polyester fabric. They wrap around your baby’s bum and have convenient crossover Velcro snaps and elastic leggings to prevent leakage.
Fitted Cloth Diapers
A fitted cloth diaper is contoured to the shape of a baby’s bottom. You purchase them in different sizes according to your baby’s age. They make changing diapers more convenient because you don’t need to know any fancy folding techniques.
All-In-One
If you want the convenience of disposable diapers with the environmental advantages of reusable versions, then the all-in-one is for you.
An absorbent pad attaches to a waterproof cover to make diaper changing as easy as using a disposable. Secure the diaper with Velcro, snaps, hooks, or loops. You don’t have to worry about additional inserts - just remove the diaper and cover the baby’s bottom with a fresh one.
They can be rinsed, soaked, and washed the same as any other cloth nappy, but will take longer to dry and produce a bulky look underneath clothing.
Cloth Versus Disposables
The debate about reusable cloth nappies versus disposable rages on and probably will for some time to come.
It’s true that disposables end up in our landfills, but this needs to be weighed against how much strain on the environment reusables create regarding water usage and chemical detergents. When using disposables, be sure to rinse out as much solid waste as possible before disposing of them to minimize the amount of human waste in our landfills.
Perhaps using a mix of the two is an optimal solution for busy parents who are always out and about. However, when it comes to diaper changing for babies, parents should use whatever they are more comfortable with.
Diapers have come a long way in the last few decades. No longer do you have to perform complex origami folds to provide your baby with a fresh diaper, but the option is still there. Cloth diapering is now as easy as changing a disposable and could be a lot more eco-friendly. Changing diapers may seem like a chore, but the above tips will help you keep your baby’s bottom dry, comfortable, and safe. Plus, it can be a wonderful bonding experience.