Diapering is often a source of fear, fear, and humor for first-time caregivers and parents. Babies and young children who do not know how to go to the bathroom need to have their diapers changed when needed to avoid the development of dermatitis and other discomforts. You can create a station to make it easy to change disposable or cloth diapers at any time.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Take off the diaper and clean the baby
Step 1. Wash your hands
Before changing the diaper, you should wash your hands with soap and water. If you don't have access to a sink, you can use antiseptic gel. If you don't have a hand sanitizer, you can use a wet wipe to clean your hands.
If you work in a school, you can put on disposable gloves after washing your hands
Step 2. Prepare the clean diaper
Place the baby on the changing surface and grab a new diaper. If you are using a disposable diaper, you must extend it. If you are using a cloth diaper, it should be folded or stuffed with an absorbent insert, depending on the style of diaper you have. Set the diaper aside so you can have it ready after you remove the soiled diaper.
Many people place the clean diaper directly under the dirty diaper before removing it to catch any accidents that may occur during the change. You just have to keep in mind that the clean diaper can get dirty, so you will have to use a new one if this happens
Step 3. Loosen and remove the dirty diaper
Remove the tabs, snaps, or Velcro from the dirty diaper to loosen it. Pull down on the front of the soiled diaper and gently lift the baby's legs. If the diaper is wet, slide the back of the soiled diaper under the buttocks. If you find feces, use the front half of the dirty diaper to clean as much as possible. Set the dirty diaper aside until you can fold it or throw it away if the container is nearby.
- Support your baby's legs with one hand so that the bottoms are in the air to prevent them from touching the surface of the diaper.
- Make sure to put the dirty diaper out of the baby's reach.
- If you are changing a baby who urinates during a diaper change, consider placing a clean washcloth or wipe over his genitals while you change.
Step 4. Wipe the buttocks with a wet washcloth or cloth
Take the cloth and wipe the baby's genitals from front to back (towards the buttocks). Cleanliness is important to prevent bacterial infections. When cleaning the stool, you will likely need several wet wipes to ensure that the baby is clean. Hold the ankles to gently lift the legs and wipe the baby's bottom.
Make sure to clean the stool around the genitals or along the folds of the thighs
Step 5. Let the skin air dry for a moment
You can prevent diaper rash by keeping your baby's bottom clean and dry. Let the buttocks dry for a few seconds before putting on the clean diaper. If your baby has a rash, you should apply diaper cream or petroleum jelly before putting on the clean diaper.
If you are using a cloth diaper, you should place a disposable insert in the center. This insert will prevent the cream from touching the diaper, as it could damage the diaper if it does
Method 2 of 4: Put on a clean disposable diaper
Step 1. Place the clean diaper under the baby
Take the clean diaper open and place the back half under the baby. The diaper should fit close to the waist. If you are changing a child's diaper, their genitals should point downward to direct urine onto the new diaper. Pull the front half of the clean diaper down to the stomach.
- Make sure that the baby does not put his legs together, since the diaper could make him uncomfortable. Try to extend your legs so that the diaper fits comfortably.
- If you are going to change a newborn's diaper, you must use a specific diaper that leaves enough space for the umbilical cord stump. You can also fold the front of the diaper to avoid covering it.
Step 2. Adjust the diaper
Hold the front of the diaper in place with one hand. Use your other hand to pull the tabs on each side of the diaper and fold them to the front. Tuck them over the diaper to secure it. Avoid adjusting the diaper too tightly.
Check to see if the diaper is too tight. If this is the case, the skin will appear compressed or red. You should also make sure that the tabs don't stick to the baby's skin
Step 3. Dress the baby and dispose of the dirty diaper
You can pull the romper down to close it or dress the baby in another outfit. You should put the baby in a safe place while you fold the soiled diaper. You can throw it away or put it in a container that isolates bad odors.
To dispose of the dirty diaper, you should fold the front in half towards the back of the diaper to give it a slight ball shape. Snap both tabs into the center of the diaper to contain it
Step 4. Wash your hands
If you are going to use gloves, you must remove them and discard them. Then wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap. Try to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Rinse them well and then pat them dry.
Method 3 of 4: Donning and Handling a Cloth Diaper
Step 1. Place the clean diaper under the baby
Take the prepared cloth diaper and position the back half under the baby so that it is close to their waist. If you are changing a child's diaper, you can prevent leaks by making their genitals point downward. Pull the front half of the diaper up onto the baby's stomach.
- Spread your baby's legs to prevent the diaper from bulging while you adjust it.
- If you are changing a newborn's diaper, be sure to use smaller cloth diapers. You will probably need to bend them in a special way so they don't rub against the umbilical cord stump.
Step 2. Secure the diaper
Hold the front of the diaper in place with one hand. Use your other hand to hook a T-shaped or double-prong bra to the front of the diaper. Some cloth diapers use snaps (which you simply snap into place) or velcro (which you can pull and press). You should dress the baby before handling the dirty cloth diaper.
If you are using safety pins, place some of your fingers under the diaper and on the baby's skin to avoid accidentally poking him
Step 3. Put down the dirty cloth diaper
If you're handling a used diaper, take it to the bathroom and flush as much of the stool down the toilet as possible. You can use a diaper spray to remove large amounts of stool. Put the used diaper and any dirty cloths in a diaper pail or wet bag. Wash cloth diapers according to the manufacturer's instructions.
If you are changing a nursing baby's diaper, you do not need to dispose of the stool from the diaper, as it will dissolve in the washing machine
Step 4. Clean your hands
Take off your gloves and discard them, if applicable. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm tap water for at least 20 seconds. Dry your hands after rinsing them well.
Method 4 of 4: Gather Diaper Supplies
Step 1. Pick an area to change your baby's diaper
Set up 1 to 2 diaper changing stations in easily accessible spaces around the house. For example, you can set up a changing table in your nursery, your bedroom, or near a bathroom. If you don't want to use a changing table, you can easily change the diaper on a flat, comfortable surface (for example, a bed or the floor).
- You should choose convenient areas for changing diapers based on where your family spends the most time.
- It's a good idea to pack a diaper bag or backpack with some diaper changing supplies. Keep the diaper bag in the changing area so you can supply it and then grab it when you need to leave the house.
Step 2. Organize the changing area
You may need more than a diaper and a few wipes to change your baby. Use dividers, containers, and small baskets to keep things organized and accessible. This way, you will know where something is if you need it quickly.
For example, a drawer or basket containing extra pajamas or pacifiers will help if your baby needs a change at midnight
Step 3. Stock up on diapers and wipes
Newborn babies can use 8-10 diapers a day, so keep several clean diapers nearby. It should be easy for you to reach them so you don't have to move away from the baby during the diaper change. You should also keep the wet wipes nearby to clean your baby's bottom.
If you are constantly restocking diapers at the station, consider leaving a new box of diapers in the same room. This way, you will never run out of diapers
Step 4. Store diaper creams or petroleum jelly
Babies often suffer from dermatitis and you may need to apply diaper cream or petroleum jelly. You should keep these items in the changing area so that you can easily use them when detecting a rash.
It is also a good idea to keep them in a diaper bag so that you can treat your baby's dermatitis when you leave the house with him
Step 5. Set aside an area to place soiled diapers
Determine how you would like to dispose or handle soiled diapers. For example, if you are going to use disposable diapers, you can install a trash can or container that isolates bad odors. If you are using cloth diapers, you may want to install a wet bucket where you can store them until you are ready to wash them.
It's a good idea to keep the sanitizer nearby to quickly clean your hands before washing diapers in the bathroom. Remember to keep the antiseptic gel out of the baby's reach
Step 6. Keep some distractions close by
As your baby grows, he will be able to help with the diaper change, so favor this moment by creating a space where he can move freely and talk to him while you change. Consider keeping some of these items near the changing station:
- small cardboard albums
- pacifiers
- toy keys
- rattles
Step 7. Save extra changes of clothes and sheets
If the dirt from the diaper seeps out, you will need to keep a change of clothes nearby. Keep several clean onesies in the changing area just in case. You should also keep a clean set of crib sheets in case it gets dirty.
If your changing table has a soft, removable cover, you should also keep an extra clean cover in case your baby soils it during diaper changes
Advice
- You should distract your baby during diaper changes if he gets fussy. Let him hold a toy or sing or tell him what's going on while you change his diaper.
- You should always follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with the specific type of cloth diapers. These will tell you how to use and wash the diaper.