How to Change a Diaper
Taking care of a baby is hard work, and for mommies and daddies, one of the most detested, but unavoidable tasks is changing diapers. Always making sure your child has a clean diaper over his bottom assures you that he or she is free from diaper rash and other infections. Here’s how to do it.
What You’ll Need:
Clean diaper
Baby, wash cloths or cotton balls
Baby wipes
Plastic bag or trash can
Clean water in a basin (if you’re not using wipes)
Changing table or any flat surface
Towel
Ointment or cream (if you see diaper rash)
Procedure:
Prepare everything you need. Get the new diaper ready, as well as the cleaning material you’re using. Put them somewhere beside your changing table, or on the flat surface where you’ll be changing your infant.
diaper change
Lay down your child on the changing table, and put a clean towel underneath him. This will make your child more comfortable, and also catch any soil that falls off from the diaper. If the table has safety straps, use them. Once you’ve laid down your child, don’t step away from the table. Remove clothes that impedes diaper changing.
Unfasten the soiled diaper’s tabs, raising your child’s bottom, by grasping his ankles and lifting gently. If there’s only urine, you can just take the diaper away, but if it’s feces, you can use the diaper’s upper half to sweep the soil from your baby’s buttocks, down towards the lower half of the diaper. Slide the diaper away, putting it nearby.
Still holding your child’s ankles up, wipe his genitals and buttocks with baby wipes, cleaning him. If you don’t have wipes, use a washcloth or cotton balls (this works for very young infants).You’ll need to use a few baby wipes for this. Put the soiled wipes on top of the dirty diaper you’ve removed.
One reminder: wipe from front to back, to avoid infections, especially if your baby’s female.
Fold the dirty diaper using your free hand, keeping the soil and the dirtied cleaning materials inside. Use the tabs to seal it closed.
Slide a fresh, new diaper under your child’s bottom. The tabs should be on the portion that’s under your child’s bottom. Check where the colorful markings are; these go in front.
If your child has diaper rash, apply ointment or cream all over the affected areas.
Secure the new diaper by pulling up the front over his belly, then bringing the tabs around and in front, over the fastening surface. Make sure it’s not too tight, or your child will have trouble breathing or moving around. The diaper ruffles should also be out and around the legs, so there won’t be leaks.
Pick up your baby and put him in a safe place, such as his crib or playpen. Put the dirty diaper in a plastic bag, seal, then throw into your trash can.
Wash your hands thoroughly wit anti-bacterial soap and water, before playing with your baby again.
A Few Reminders:
Don’t leave your child unattended on the changing surface, or he might squirm and fall off.
Exposure to open air often makes male babies urinate, so to avoid getting sprayed, use a towel or cloth.
Don’t feed your child while changing his diaper, to avoid choking.
Make sure you know how to differentiate diaper rash from yeast infection, Yeast infection looks like bright red, freckle-like dots that are either touching or grouped. Diaper rash looks like sunburn red.
If your child has a yeast infection, take him to your pediatrician.
Changing a diaper can be more difficult than it looks, but with these steps to guide you, you’ll do fine. It’s an icky task, but as loving parents, you have to do it!