Why Should You Change A Babys Diaper This Often
A late diaper change here and there is probably okay, but when there is a habitual delay with diaper changes, this leads to miserable circumstances. Newborn babies are even more prone to problems with diapering because of their sensitive skin.
Common problems associated with delayed diaper changes are:
- Skin chafing
- Infections such as yeast , bladder, and sometimes Staph.
- Lack of digestion tracking .
- Increases the risk for blowout diapers, leaking, and diaper breakage.
- Baby might reach in their diaper and touch the waste because its bothering them.
- Worsening odor
As you can imagine, many of these uncomfortable circumstances would put your baby in a bad mood. Changing your baby on time keeps your baby happy and healthy.
Combat Diaper Rash Through Prevention
Diaper rash is an inevitability that starts with irritation, peaks with screaming, and promises to be repeated often. Controlling it is all about controlling moisture. If a babys wet, change them. Clean the area with water, then dab it dry.
Dr. Jana notes that most diaper rashes typically have one of two causes. One is irritation of the skin, and that can be from sitting in a bowel movement for too long, she says. Or not being changed frequently enough cause a rash due to an infection. Like with a yeast infection diaper rash, since yeast lives in the intestinal tract and can cause problems if there is broken skin in the diaper area.
Once a rash breaks out, it can be tough to get under control so keeping it from starting is worth the effort.
How Do I Change A Reusable Diaper
Youll take almost all of the same steps you would if you were changing a disposable diaper but instead, youd only put the liner part of the diaper in the bin, replacing it with a new one at every change. Youd then put a clean reusable cloth diaper on your baby, placing the worn one in your washing machine along with your cloth diapers, in a separate wash to your other laundry.3
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Throw Out The Dirty Diaper
For disposables, wrap the diaper into a ball, using the tab fasteners to secure. Then throw away in your diaper pail, plastic bag or trash can .
When you’re away from home, carry a stash of plastic bags. Place the dirty diaper inside and tie the bag before tossing it into the trash. Put cloth diapers into a bucket with a tight-fitting lid ,or a vinyl bag if you’re out, until laundry day.
Preparing For Changing A Diaper
Much like making dinner, changing a diaper successfully has a lot to do with the prep. Have everything at hand and youll be winning.
First, choose your changing area and set it up with a stack of diapers, wash cloth or disposable wipes, a bowl , a diaper bin, some clean baby clothes, and a couple of small towels. Sometimes it can be helpful to create a couple of changing stations around the house for example, one in the bedroom and one in the living area of your home. With multiple changing stations, youre never too far from a changing mat when its time for changing babys diaper!
Make sure the room is warm, as your baby will be naked from the waist down during a change. When the time comes, wash and dry your hands as this will help to minimise the spread of germs.
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Back Seat Or Trunk Of Your Car
The back seat or trunk of your car can be extremely helpful if you want to change your baby with a little bit more privacy. Keeping a stock of diaper-changing supplies in your car as well as your changing bag will help to make sure youre always prepared for an impromptu change.
At first, changing a baby’s diaper in public can be a little embarrassing, but once you have your routine sorted, it’ll be a breeze so don’t be discouraged.
Changing the diaper of a newborn is a tricky job at first but just keep calm, take some deep breaths , and remember – youll be a pro in no time. Finally, keep in mind that practice makes perfect and before long, youll be changing diapers in your sleep! No, really.
After reading our diaper changing tips you now know how to change a newborn babys diaper and how often to change your newborn baby’s diaper youve likely realised that the reality of diaper changing is very different from the sanitized version shown in adverts or on TV!
Want to learn more about caring for a newborn? Whether the baby is on the way or youre just looking for tips, take a look at the WaterWipes Parenting Community for more articles:
Cleaning A Baby Girl When Diapering
First, lift her legs with one hand and remove any poop with a wet washcloth. Using one area of the cloth at a time, clean inside all the creases, wiping downward. To clean the genital area, wipe from the vagina toward the rectum. Do not pull the labia back to clean inside. Dry the area with a soft cloth. Apply ointment around the genitals and on the buttocks to prevent diaper rash.
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What Are The Signs Your Baby Needs A Bigger Diaper
Here are some signs that your baby needs a bigger diaper:
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The tapes donât reach the centre of the waistband
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You canât fit two fingers under the waistband
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There are red marks on your babyâs tummy or thighs
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The diaper doesnât cover your babyâs bottom
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Your baby seems uncomfortable .
Our diaper size and weight chart can help you get the right fit.
Open Up The Diaper And Clean Your Baby
Unfasten the diaper and survey the scene, then follow the same basic rules for both boys and girls:
- For a wet diaper: Fold the dirty diaper underneath the baby and wipe the area.
- For a poopy diaper: Wipe as much as possible with the diaper itself, then fold it underneath, as above. Lift the legs and clean baby’s front well with warm water or wipes, being sure to get into all the creases. Then lift both legs and clean baby’s bottom thoroughly.
Once baby’s diaper area is clean, slip the soiled diaper out and put a fresh one under baby before releasing baby’s legs. Pat baby dry before putting on the clean diaper or any diaper rash creams.
If the umbilical cord is still attached and you aren’t using special newborn diapers, fold the diaper down to expose the area to air and avoid getting it wet. Fasten it tightly to avoid leaks, but not so tightly that irritation occurs .
For disposables, the tabs go in the back, underneath baby, and then wrap around to front.
A few more tips to follow when changing baby’s diaper:
- Girls need to be wiped from front to back, to avoid getting poop in the vaginal area. There is no need to open the labia and clean inside .
- Boys may offer an unwanted surprise in the form of a fountain of pee, so keep his penis covered with a clean diaper or cloth whenever he’s undressed. Expect erections sometimes , and don’t be afraid of gently cleaning around the penis and scrotum. When you do put his new diaper on, point his penis down to minimize leaks .
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Where To Change A Nappy
The best place to change a nappy is on a changing mat or towel on the floor, particularly if you have more than one baby.
That way, if you need to see to another child for a moment, your baby can’t fall. It’s best done sitting down so you don’t hurt your back.
If you’re using a changing table, keep an eye on your baby at all times. You shouldn’t rely on the straps to keep your baby secure. Never walk away or turn your back.
Older babies may try to wriggle away when you’re changing them. You could give them a toy or use a mobile to distract them.
Here’s The Final Word On How Often You Should Change A Baby’s Diaper
If youre a new parent, figuring out how often to change your babys diaper can be a challenge. The best diapers will help to keep your little one dry and rash free, staying in place for hours at a time. However, its always best to change your babys diaper as often as needed, as keeping a wet or messy diaper next to your babys skin for too long can lead to diaper rash.
Changing your childs diaper has quite a bit to do with how old they are and how frequently they are urinating. Heres a guide to how often you should change a babys diaper.
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When To Stop Changing Diapers At Night
Nighttime diaper changes are necessary if your babys diapers are fully soaked or if the baby poops during the night. Eventually, the baby will stop pooping at night and will also urinate less in her sleep. In such a case, one overnight diaper will suffice, and you can stop changing diapers at night. However, each baby is different, and each infant has different requirements. So you will need to decide if your baby needs night time diaper changes depending on how wet the diaper gets or whether it gets soiled.
When you change your babys diaper at night, you need to be quick and quiet so that the baby does not wake up. If she does, you will find it difficult to put her back to sleep. First-time parents may have difficulties with this initially, but you will be much better at it after a couple of weeks experience. Eventually, your baby will stop needing night time diaper changes and will sleep through the night in one diaper.
Dont Freak Out About Funky Looking Poop
Baby poop can give you clues to what is going on inside your child. And while its typically something to note, changes in poop arent typically anything to freak out about. Anytime you introduce kids to a new food, it can take the body time to get used to it. You might see some natural variations in different colors or consistency, says Dr. Jana.
If you get bright red blood, sometimes its not even coming from in the intestinal tract, she continues. Your baby could have a little cut in the skin as a result of constipated hard poop. It could also mean theres some allergic reaction to a food that irritates the intestinal lining. Thats where you might also potentially see some blood so anytime you see it, its obviously worth bringing up, but its doesnt mean you have to panic.
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How To Change Your Toddlers Diaper
As your little one gets older, you might find it harder and harder to keep her still for diaper changes. After all, thereâs so much for your toddler to do and discover, and diaper changes tend to interrupt all the fun activities.
You could try using diapers with stretchy sides to change your wriggly toddlerâs diaper. With these diapers, you simply pull them up like you would pants. Then, to take them off, you simply tear the sides for easy removal.
As you change your toddlerâs diaper, you might like to tell your little one what youâre doingâthis way she can start to become familiar with whatâs happening as an early step toward potty training. You might also like to dump the poop from the diaper into the toilet or potty in front of her so that she can begin to make the connection that thatâs where poop should go.
Is It Safe To Use Baby Powder And Diaper Creams
As a rule of thumb, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents avoid using baby powder made with either talc or cornstarch during diaper changes or bathtime.
That’s partly because babies don’t really need it and powder can irritate their already-sensitive skin, and partly because if a lot of powder is inhaled, it can be harmful to little ones.
You also don’t really need baby lotion, baby oil or other creams when you’re changing baby’s diaper, unless your baby has a diaper rash.
In that case, you should use a barrier ointment if your baby is in disposable diapers. Diaper ointments are generally not compatible with cloth diapers, so check with your pediatrician about what to do in that case.
From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
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Poopy Doopy Signs Your Baby Needs A Diaper Change
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Did you know that babies urinate about 20 times a day in their first several months of life? While changing a diaper that much may not be realistic, or economical, the general rule of thumb is to change a diaper every 2-3 hours, according to AmericanPregancy.org.
While the recommendation of 2-3 hours is great, there are some other signs that your baby needs a diaper change.
Read on to learn more.
Understand Diaper Size Is Only A Guideline
Diaper sizes arent gospel. Theyre recommendations. Parents arent beholden to them. The right size diaper for a baby is, simply put, the diaper that fits. The wrong size will either be too snug or allow waste to escape.
Nothing good will come from a saggy diaper. As a general rule, you want it to be just snug enough that you can get a finger between the diaper and the baby.
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Instructions For Changing A Baby Diaper
Theres nothing worse than running out of diapers and having to drive to the store in the middle of the night, so be sure to stock up. Regardless of whether you choose to use cloth or disposal diapers, you can never have too many.
You will also need a stash of baby wipes, powder, rash cream, and a pail to hold soiled diapers. A light blanket will help to keep the top part of your baby warm during cold weather.
A baby change pad or a soft towel to place on the changing surface is a must. It will help to help to protect the changing table so you will have less to clean. If your baby is a boy, a washer will also be required. This is because when a male baby urinates while lying on his back, the urine will spray up into the air. If you dont have a cloth handy, the spray could hit you in the face or land on your hair.
Before you start, wash your hands in warm soapy water, then dry them. If you dont have access to a faucet, use hand sanitizer.
With everything in reach, place your baby on a sturdy surface. You could use a bed or even the floor, but you will have to bend to do this. This will quickly become tiring, and it can lead to an aching neck, shoulders, and back.
NB: If you are using a diaper that needs pins, be sure to place your fingers underneath the diaper to cover your babys skin to prevent accidentally pricking them.