Change a Diaper
Changing diapers is often a source of dread, fear and humor for new parents and other caregivers. Babies and toddlers who are not potty trained need to have their diapers changed every few hours to avoid rashes and discomfort. Change a diaper by gathering your supplies, setting up in a safe spot and disposing of or washing the dirty diaper properly.
Contents
Steps
Gathering Diaper Supplies
- Keep diaper supplies close and easy to access in the places you would normally change a diaper.
- Set up your supplies on or near a changing table in the baby's bedroom or on the nightstand in your own bedroom if you change diapers on your bed.
- Pack a diaper bag or backpack with the necessary items in case you have to change your baby while you are out.
- Stack clean diapers in a place they can easily be grabbed. When you are going out, pack at least one clean diaper for every two hours you will be gone.
- Collect wipes or baby washcloths, depending on what you use to clean your baby's bottom during a diaper change.
- Keep diaper cream, powder or petroleum jelly close to your diaper changing station, especially if your baby is prone to rashes. Remember to keep some in your diaper bag as well.
- Locate a clean, secure and warm spot to change your baby. Use a diaper changing pad, a changing table or simply lay down a blanket on the floor or your bed.
- Wash your hands before and after you change a diaper.
Changing Disposable Diapers
- Place the back half of a clean diaper under your baby. The part of the diaper with the sticky tabs on it is the back half.
- Pull away the tabs of the dirty diaper. Fold them onto the dirty diaper's surface so they do not stick to your baby's skin or get attached to the clean diaper.
- Pull the dirty diaper away from your baby. If the diaper is wet, slide the back of the dirty diaper out from under the baby's bottom. If there is poop, use the front half of the dirty diaper to scoop as much of it off your baby as you can.
- Cover the penis if you are changing a boy. Use another diaper or a clean rag. Boys can sometimes urinate during a diaper change and you don't want it to land on you.
- Fold up the dirty diaper and put it aside. You can dispose of it when your baby is changed and safely off any changing tables, beds or other surfaces.
- Wipe your baby's bottom with a wipe or a damp cloth.
- Check the child's back and the area between the cheeks if there was poop in the diaper. Clean out anything you find.
- Pull up the front half of the clean diaper. Fasten the diaper on each side with the sticky tabs.
- Make sure the diaper is snug but not too tight. The skin should not be pinched or red.
- Dress your baby and put them on the floor or in a safe place while you dispose of the dirty diaper and wash your hands.
Changing Cloth Diapers
- Lay out the clean diaper and follow any folding instructions. Some cloth diapers come with folds stitched into them that will tell you how to put the diaper on the baby.
- Unfasten the dirty diaper and pull down the front part. If it is wet, slide the rest of the dirty diaper out from under your baby and put it aside.
- Cover the penis with a cloth if you are changing a boy. Boys tend to urinate during diaper changes.
- Use the front half of your cloth diaper to wipe away any poop that might be at on your baby's bottom.
- Clean the baby's bottom with a baby wipe or a damp washcloth. Check the back and between the cheeks if there is poop.
- Place the clean diaper under your baby and fold the front part up over the baby, until you reach the belly button.
- Fasten the cloth diaper. Use any snaps or Velcro tabs that the diaper may include, or use your folding technique or safety pins.
- Slide the vinyl diaper cover over the cloth diaper if you use one.
- Dress your baby and put them in a safe place while you clean out the dirty diaper and wash your hands.
- Shake or scrape what you can of the dirty diaper into the toilet. Rinse the diaper before putting it in the laundry to be washed.
Tips
- Point the penis down into the diaper when you change a boy. This will prevent leaks.
- Distract your child during diaper changes if they get fussy. Let the baby hold a toy, or sing a song while you change the diaper.
Warnings
- Remember never to leave your baby unattended on a changing table or high surface. Even stepping away for a moment can give the baby an opportunity to roll off the changing table or bed.
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