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As a new parent, get ready for joy, sleepless nights, and lots of diaper changes. Mastering diapering tips for newborns is key for a baby clean and comfortable, and for your sanity. With nearly 8,000 diaper changes before potty training, starting right is important. Let’s explore expert advice to make changing baby’s diaper easier.
Essential Supplies for Diapering Success
Before getting into the how-to of diapering, gather your supplies. This includes diapers (newborn size), baby wipes or soft cloths, diaper rash cream, and a changing pad or mat. You will also need a diaper pail or trash can and clean clothes for baby, just in case. Having these things handy will make changing diapers much smoother.
The Art of the Quick Change
Newborns use up to 12 diapers a day, so quick changes are important. Here’s a guide:
- Wash your hands.
- Place your baby on a safe, flat surface.
- Open the clean diaper and put it under your baby.
- Unfasten the dirty diaper, but leave it in place.
- Wipe your baby front to back using wipes.
- Remove the dirty diaper.
- Apply diaper cream as needed.
- Fasten the clean diaper snugly.
- Dress your baby and wash your hands.
Speed matters, but don’t sacrifice cleanliness or safety. Every diaper change should make sure your baby’s diaper area is clean.
Navigating the Newborn Stage
The first few weeks of diapering can be tricky. These diapering tips will help.
Umbilical Cord Care
For newborns, fold down regular diapers. Use newborn diapers with a cutout. Continue until the umbilical cord stump falls off. Keep the baby’s belly button area clean and dry. Doing this will help prevent infections. This helps maintain good umbilical cord care and promotes skin health in the diaper area.
Dealing with Diaper Rash
Newborn skin is sensitive. It is common for newborn babies to get diaper rash.
To help prevent diaper rash, change wet diapers and dirty diapers often, especially after bowel movements. Clean your baby gently but thoroughly and always pat dry. Use a barrier cream after cleaning and letting air dry. Consult a healthcare provider if needed for treatment options. Keep baby’s legs dry during diaper changes to avoid unnecessary wetness.
Boy vs. Girl: Tailoring Your Technique
Diapering basics are the same, but there are some differences. These tips will help new parents when they change diapers. Diapering pro’s are able to adjust their diaper changing technique accordingly.
For Boys
Point the penis down to prevent leaks when closing the diaper. Watch out for spraying during changes. After a baby shower, you might not get this advice. If your baby boy is circumcised, use warm water to keep clean, follow your care provider’s instructions.
For Girls
Always wipe from front to back to help prevent urinary tract infections. Clean gently between all the folds of skin on the baby’s legs. A bit of vaginal discharge is normal for newborns.
Eco-Friendly Diapering Options
For environmentally-conscious parents, there are sustainable choices. Consider how often you are changing diapers, which adds up. Every time baby has a bowel movement and time baby is just wet, adds up. There are eco-friendly diaper choices available.
Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers are easy to use. They’re cost-effective over time. They’re also better for the environment than disposable diapers. But they need more laundry. They also need an initial investment which disposable diapers do not require. You also don’t have to worry about prefolded cloth diapers. Parents just use the disposable diaper, throw it away, and don’t worry about any prefolded cloth diapers that need to be cleaned.
Biodegradable Disposables
These diapers decompose quicker. They’re made from eco-friendly materials. Biodegradable disposables fall between cloth and conventional diapers.
Nighttime Diapering Strategies
Night changes disrupt sleep. For a newborn baby who needs to feed every 2-3 hours at night time, getting them to sleep quickly is key. Having strategies for nighttime diapering and tips to learn are a life saver. Time changing diapers quickly frees up time baby needs to breastfeed and/or for mommy to rest and/or pump.
Try overnight diapers. Apply a good amount of diaper cream for protection from moisture. Consider a bigger diaper size at night. Keep lights low during changes and don’t interact a lot with your baby.
Diaper Bag Essentials
Pack a diaper bag with essential items when on the go. Some of those essentials for changing a baby’s diaper are below:
- Diapers (one for every two hours you’re out, plus extras).
- Travel wipes.
- A portable changing pad.
- Diaper cream.
- Plastic bags for dirty diapers.
- A change of clothes for your baby.
Your diaper bag also could have breast milk for time baby is feeding and a wet washcloth or some cotton balls in case of a bowel movement in a cloth diaper.
Dealing with Diaper Blowouts
Blowouts happen. Here’s what to do.
- Stay calm.
- Remove the diaper carefully.
- Clean the mess with wipes.
- Give baby a bath, if you can.
- Dispose of the dirty diaper and clothes in a sealed bag.
- Dress baby in clean clothes. A car seat will be a lot cleaner as well if the blow out happened in it. Always have clean car seat protectors ready in your car. Always try and keep the car seat area clean just like how important it is to change a baby’s diaper and keeping that area clean.
Always pack extra clothes when out. It’s also not a bad idea to add an extra changing pad.
When to Size Up
Knowing when to change diaper sizes prevents leaks. Look for red marks on thighs. Also look out for frequent leaks or if the diaper doesn’t cover baby’s bottom well. Make sure the tabs can reach the waistband, too.
Each baby is different, so follow your gut. Weight guidelines shouldn’t be your only deciding factor for size. Cloth diapers, disposable diapers and prefolded cloth diapers all come in different sizes. Baby diaper size should be selected based on a newborn baby weight, then later weight and length as baby grows.
FAQs about diapering tips for newborns
How often should I change my newborn’s diaper?
Newborns need changes every 2-3 hours, or after a bowel movement. That’s about 10-12 changes a day at first.
How to calm a newborn during a diaper change?
Sing softly. Make eye contact. Give a toy. A warm room and a gentle touch help. Keep lights low when you have a bowel movement in a cloth diaper or on a disposable diaper. This will allow you more time to focus and get the area clean before putting a new diaper on.
What is the wet diaper rule for newborns?
At first, wet diapers match baby’s age in days. After day 5, expect 6-8 wet diapers a day.
Should you wipe baby after every pee diaper?
Wiping isn’t needed after every pee diaper, but do it if you notice any residue or smell. Always wipe after bowel movements. Use gentle wipes so it does not negatively impact a newborn baby’s sensitive skin.
Conclusion
Mastering newborn diapering is key. With practice, you’ll get better at it. Every baby is different, so adapt as needed. You’re providing great care. Now, go forth and conquer those diapers.
