How to:
Change Your Newborn's Diaper
by The Cradle Staff
ringing home baby? You’ve just been summoned for some serious diaper duty. If you’ve never changed a diaper, have no fear. It’s actually much easier than you might think.
Here’s how:
1. Make sure you’ve got all of your “tools” in place and within reach:
- Diaper
- Wipes or cotton pads
- Ointment or cream
- Hand Sanitizer
Cotton pads? Your newborn’s skin is so sensitive that you may only need to use cotton pads lightly soaked with water for the first month or two. 
We love Viva paper towels. They can work just as well as cotton pads since they’re super soft (like cloth) but are more economical! And, they double as... paper towels!
2. Place baby on his back and hold with one hand (or use the strap on the changing table) so he doesn’t wiggle away.
3. Unfasten the diaper tabs on the used diaper. If you’re diapering a little boy, beware of surprise sprays – you might want to cover his penis with a washcloth or one of the aptly named products on the market, like the “Wee Block” or “Pee Pee Teepee."
4. Now, here’s the skill that you will soon master: Lift both of baby’s legs together (usually by the feet or ankles) to lift his bottom off of the diaper. If your baby had a bowel movement, you can use the unsoiled portion of the diaper to remove any waste that has so pleasantly affixed itself to your precious one, and then fold up the old diaper. (You’ll quickly be able to roll it up with one hand and refasten the tabs to create the perfect vehicle to fly into the diaper disposal. But don’t pressure yourself… some of these skills take time.)
5. Using a wet wipe or cotton pad, gently wipe baby from front to back – this helps keep infections at bay (remember to get in all those little folds). Allow to air dry or pat with a clean, dry towel.
If your baby only has a wet diaper, it’s not necessary to use a wipe every time – too much wiping could cause irritation.
6. Lift legs and
slide in a new diaper. Now is the time to get out your
cream or ointment of choice.
It seems that every few years there is a new "favorite" cream: Desitin, A+D, Balmex, Boudreau’s Butt Paste, Triple Paste, Aquaphor… the list goes on. And your friends or family members will always swear by their favorite. Recommendations are always helpful, but feel comfortable sticking with the one that works best for you. (If you’re lucky, it will be the one that costs $2.99, not $19.99!)
7. Now just bring up the front of the diaper and fasten the tabs. Not too tight – you don’t want to have it press down on their belly. Also, if your baby’s umbilical cord hasn’t fallen off, remember to fold down the top of the diaper so it doesn’t rub against the cord. Some diapers already have a scooped area for the baby’s naval.
If your baby is extra squirmy or cranky and you were lucky to fasten the tabs on the diaper, don’t worry if you missed applying diaper cream. If your baby’s bottom was dry and not already irritated, it’s safe to say that your baby won’t develop a diaper rash after missing an application of ointment.
Now, baby is good to go. After you change one or two diapers, you’ll be a total pro.
Things to keep in mind:
- Never leave your baby unattended while on a changing table. If it’s more comfortable for you, simply change them on the floor or the bed – just lay down a towel or changing pad.
- It’s best to change a newborn’s diaper every two to three hours, unless of course they have had a bowel movement – then change as soon as possible to keep rashes away.
If you are interested in environmentally friendly diapers, check out these options: |
Chlorine-Free Diapers (unbleached) |
G Diapers (flushable) |
Diaper Service (cloth) |
