Caring for a new born baby can be a very tough job for the inexperienced, first-time parents. There are a variety of new born aspects into which proper attention has to be given. These include feeding, burping, diaper change, sleep patterns, health issues, skin rashes, etc. Today we will learn how to change a diaper in the correct process.

Diaper changing task is not at all an easy one. It needs to be carried out in the right process to ensure that the baby is comfortable. Incorrect diaper change steps can make the new born baby suffer from a lot of problems. For instance, if the diaper change process is not done properly, then the baby can face severe rashes in the genital areas.

Such issues can put the new born baby in tremendous pain and discomfort. It can make the baby cranky and moody. This can in turn have a negative impact on the baby’s sleep patterns. Sometimes, they can also hesitate to feed because of the pain and discomfort that they are feeling. So, without wasting further time, let us understand the steps we need to follow for proper diaper change.

Diaper Changing Checklist

Before seeing how to change a diaper correctly, let’s take a look at the diaper changing checklist. This will give you the capacity to ensure that your new born baby is safe and well-protected. Now, for a diaper change process, a new and clean diaper is definitely needed. However, in addition to this diaper there are certain other things that you will have to procure before getting into a diaper changing process.

• Changing table / changing pad

When going for a diaper change process, make sure you have a proper changing table or changing pad with you. This will give you the chance to lay your baby in a safe and comfortable place while you do the diaper change activity. If you don’t have a changing table or changing pad, then prepare a portion of your bed for this task.

• Extra Clothes

New born babies are very unpredictable, and sometimes, a blow out can happen out of nowhere. During such instances, we will have to change the dirty clothes and put on a new and fresh one. So, make sure you are setting aside some extra clothes before starting the diaper change task.

• Wipes

Wipes are used for cleaning the genital area properly. Make sure they are gentle and chemical free.

• Diapers

There are various diaper brands out there and do proper research before coming up with a certain diaper brand. Some new parents also go for cloth diapers. In that case, they have to make sure that they have diaper covers or pins with them. In the case of disposable diapers, you will get them in taped and pant styles.

• Diaper Cream

This cream is used for preventing and treating rashes.

• Disposable bags

You can use these bags for the task of dirty diaper disposal.

Learn how to change a diaper correctly

We have taken a look at the diaper change checklist for the convenience of the first time parents. After gathering these required diaper change supplies, you can proceed to the actual step by step process of diaper change.

• The first step in this diaper change process is washing our hands. Changing with dirty hands will make the baby suffer from rashes and discomforts. Now, check the diaper change supplies to make sure that you have all the necessary items with you.

• Then, you have to lay your baby on their back on the clean and safe changing surface. After that, you have to open the diaper tabs or pins that are present on each side of your diaper.

• Now, to take off the dirty diaper, you have to slightly raise the baby’s bottom away from the diaper. For this, you have to gently hold their ankles and lift them. Sometimes, a lot of stool can be present on the diaper and to wipe it off, you can use the front half portion of the diaper, if it is clean.

• After removing the dirty diaper, you will have to clean the baby’s genital area using soft and chemical-free wipes. You have to always wipe from the front portion to back when cleaning the vulva. In the case of penis, you have to wipe and clean the penis and scrotum properly.

• Now, it’s time to put on a clean and fresh diaper. You have to gently slide the clean diaper under your baby’s bottoms. Look for signs to understand the front side of the diaper. Before closing it, you can put on some diaper rash cream or ointment. Then close the diaper by pulling up the front diaper part and fastening it correctly.

Steps to be followed after diaper change

Now that we learned how to change a diaper correctly, let us take a look at the steps that we have to carry out following a diaper change event.

• After changing your baby’s diaper, you have to place your baby in a safe area. Then you have to come back to the changing table or changing area.

• You have to roll up the dirty diaper and wrap it tightly. Then, you must put it inside a bag and dispose of it in a diaper bin or garbage can.

• If you are using cloth diapers, then you have to drop the poop into the toilet and wash the cloth diaper correctly. After that, you have to place it in the laundry bin.

• You should also use a good disinfectant to clean the changing table surface, and then wash your hands.

Conclusion

We understood how to change a diaper correctly without causing the baby any kind of discomfort. We have given a thorough list of the diaper changing checklist for helping out the first time parents. Before proceeding with the process of diaper change, you have to ensure that you have all these diaper changing items with you. Finally, after putting on the clean diaper, you have to give correct attention to the cleaning and disinfection activities.