Diaper Changing Tips: How To Change A Diaper

Having babies at home is extreme fun… changing their diapers isn’t! Ask me, a father of a one-year old toddler, who is with the baby a significant amount of time each day when his mother goes out to work. Anyways, we all perfect our own methods how to change a diaper when the time comes, and nobody actually learns it by rote. But then there are some ways to simplify the messy process. I have perfected my own little method too, and would be happy to share it with you. (This article is mostly targeted at the poor fathers who find they have to change their babies' dappies and for the mothers who are just learning the craft!)

Diaper Changing Step # 1 – Develop your sixth sense for understanding baby poo.
Babies will not just get up and move to the loo by themselves; they will just lie pretty wherever you have kept them and will do their business. Some babies will cry and bawl when the messy stuff happens, but there are many babies who will get used to all the mess and won't make a whimper. So, you will need to understand when the dappy needs changing. Smell is your best help here, but even if you see your baby squirming uneasily, you can get the hint. Do not keep your baby too long in the mess; that could cause rashes and infections.

Diaper Changing Step # 2 – Take the little one to the changing table.
If you have invested in a changing table for changing the dappies, then take your baby there, or else put him or her on a surface that you wouldn't mind cleaning later on. Keep the baby with its belly up on the surface. Changing tables have straps with which you can secure your baby comfortably on the surface. But even when the baby is secured, do not leave it alone.

Diaper Changing Step # 3 – Change the soiled diaper.
Removing a soiled diaper is an art in itself, because you have to make all effort that the mess remains inside the dappy. This is the way I do it. First, remove the adhesive tabs on the diaper. Then open the sides of the diaper and lay them flat on the surface. Slowly slide the front portion of the dappy (the part that covers your baby's privates) downwards and take it all the way to the back. You will have to lift the baby's bottom by holding his or her ankles. Using the clean portion of the dappy, wipe the bottom of your baby as you are sliding the dappy downwards. (Expert papa tip – Never wipe from the back to front, as it can cause infection. Always move front to back.) When done, the dappy should be neatly folded with the mess inside it. Stick the adhesive tabs in the same place again. Keep the dirty dappy out of reach of the baby, and dispose of it as soon as the baby is changed.

Diaper Changing Step # 4 – Clean the baby.
You can clean the baby either with water or with wipes. If you are using water, you can soak a baby washcloth in water and pat it on the baby's bottom. You can even use moist cotton balls for the purpose. Just make sure you wash the baby's bottom properly, and again do not wash from back to front. In girls, you will need to clean their privates too, because the mess might have reached there too. Dispose all the washing and cleaning material with the dirty dappy. This is a good time to use the anti-rash creams the baby's doctor might have prescribed.

Diaper Changing Step # 5 – Putting on the new dappy.
Lift the baby's bottom by the ankles and slide the opened new diaper underneath. Keeping it in place, lower the baby's legs. Then pull the front of the diaper up to the abdomen. (Another expert papa tip – Keep the front level of the diaper below the baby's navel. Some babies do not like the touch of the dappy on the navel and could become restless.) Then fold the sides of the diaper and secure them with the adhesive tabs in the right place on the front band of the dappy. The diaper changing is done, but you might have to adjust the posterior part of the diaper by pulling it upwards, or there could be leaks the next time the baby gets down to its messy chores.

Well, that's done – you have successfully learnt how to change a diaper for your baby, changed it too and made it all cutie-pie once again for the visitors to see. But be ready again in a couple of hours. Babies keep their bowels extremely busy!