Are you looking for help with diaper changes? Let’s discuss how to change a diaper, how often you should change a diaper, what to do if your baby hates diaper changes, the best for newborns (and older babies), what to do if your baby has a diaper rash, and so much more!
How to change a diaperanchor
Changing a baby’s diaper seems like a simple task, but if you’ve never changed a diaper before it can seem daunting the first few times. Don’t worry, you’re sure to get plenty of practice! Let me show you how to change a baby’s diaper step by step:
How to change a diaper step by step:anchor
Step 1: Get Ready.
Collect all of the items you might need to change your baby’s diaper. Lay your baby down on their back on a changing pad, blanket, or towel, and remove your baby’s clothes below the waist.
Step 2: Prepare the new diaper.
Lay a clean diaper under your baby’s bottom before you open the dirty diaper. (Wondering how to tell the front of the diaper from the back? The tabs that will secure the diaper closed are always on the backside of the diaper.)
Step 3: Clean up your baby.
Open your baby’s dirty diaper, and pull the front of the diaper down, leaving the back of the diaper under your baby’s bottom. Use wipes to clean your baby in a front-to-back direction. Apply any diaper cream, if needed.
Step 4: Contain the mess.
Remove the dirty diaper from under your baby’s bottom and clean any other mess. Place dirty wipes in the dirty diaper, roll the diaper up, and use tabs to close the diaper into a ball.
Step 5: Secure the clean diaper.
Close the diaper (it will come up to about your baby’s belly button) and fasten the tabs on either side of the diaper. You want the diaper to be tight enough to keep in any mess, but not so tight that your baby is uncomfortable. You should be able to put 1-2 fingers between the diaper and your baby’s belly. Check that the “ruffles” on your baby’s diaper are pulled out.
Step 6: Dress your baby and throw away the soiled diaper.
Toss it into a plastic bag before placing it in a trash can to help contain the smell.
Let me walk you through a diaper change:
Wondering about when and how to handle diaper changes in the night? I answer your most common questions in my blog on Changing Diapers at Night.
Diaper changing hacks and tipsanchor
Changing a diaper is pretty straightforward, however, there are some hacks and tips that can make the process easier based on the age of your little one.
Tips for diaper changes for newborns anchor
Consider the umbilical cord: Before the umbilical cord stump falls off, fold the top of the diaper inwards so that it isn’t touching your baby’s belly button.
Prevent pee showers: Before opening the diaper, swipe a wet wipe across your baby’s lower belly. This can help them to pee again right before you open the diaper (instead of peeing on you).
Warm the wipe before using: Hold the wipe in your hand for a few seconds to warm it up before wiping your baby.
Use a double diaper hack: Place the clean diaper under the current diaper that your baby is wearing before you begin the changing process. Once you’ve cleaned your little one and removed the dirty diaper, the new one is already in position to be put on.
Add a mobile to your changing area: Instead of hanging the baby mobile over your little one’s crib, hang it above the changing table/pad in their room. This will give them something interesting to look at during changes.
Avoid rushing: Most newborns will cry during a diaper change; this is normal. Try not to rush through the diaper change, as this will feel frantic to your baby. Instead, go through the steps and talk to your little one in a calm/soothing voice.
Aim down: If you have a baby boy, be sure his penis is aimed down into the diaper rather than up towards the top of the diaper. We want pee going into the absorbent part of the diaper rather than up and out.
Fold the back of the diaper down. If your baby’s diaper doesn’t have a blowout “pocket” in the back, fold over the top of the diaper in the back to prevent blowouts.
Use a diaper cream brush. A silicone diaper cream brush helps spread the diaper cream evenly and keeps your hands clean when applying diaper cream.
Contain the smell: Toss your baby’s dirty diaper into a plastic bag before placing it in a trash can to help contain the smell.
Expert Tip: Your baby’s first poop, meconium, is black and tarry. This makes it hard to wipe off. When your baby is born, apply coconut oil or diaper cream to their bottom and repeat with each diaper change. This helps protect their sensitive skin and makes changing that first diaper much easier.
Tips for diaper changes for babiesanchor
Move up a size in diapers to prevent blowouts: If your baby is frequently having leaks or blowouts, this may mean they are ready to move up a size in diapers. Look at the front of the diaper for the built-in indicator: it’s usually in the spot where you secure the tabs of the diaper. Check your diaper box to see what this is for the brand you use!
Add excitement: Turning on or singing a silly song can help distract your baby during the diaper change and make it more enjoyable for them.
Keep hands busy: Give them a toy or extra diaper to hold to help keep their hands busy and out of the diaper area. A children’s electric toothbrush can be a fun distraction from the diaper change. Let them hold onto it while you change their diaper. You can even let them pick out the toothbrush at the store!
Contain flailing arms: If your baby is wearing a onesie, you can pull the bottom of their onesie up and tuck their arms in to keep the arms more contained.
Tips for older babies and toddlersanchor
Try a different diaper style: You can use a pull up style diaper for your busy baby/toddler (Pampers 360 and Millie Moon training pants). Using a pull-up style diaper can make the process a bit faster! Pull up diapers can still tear apart at the sides to be changed like a normal diaper, but are easy to change standing up (when wet) and pull up like underwear.
Encourage self-dressing skills: After getting your toddler clean, you can put on the new diaper while they are standing. This can help prepare your little one for self-dressing skills and potty training!
Use a “first, then” statement. First, we are going to change our diaper, and then we are going to go play with ___!
Let them help: Let them help you get the supplies ready. Including your toddler in daily routines can help prevent protests!
Expert tip: Most diapers now have a “wetness indicator” on the front of them! This typically looks like a faint yellow line down the front of the diaper that will turn blue when it is wet.
What are the best diapers?anchor
There are so many different brands and types of diapers, so I know it can feel overwhelming. You may find yourself switching brands a few times before finding the best one for your family, but here are some of my favorites!
Best diapers for newbornsanchor
Consider trying a few different brands of diapers. Everyone has their own preference, and this will help you learn what works best for your baby!
Here are some of the most recommended diapers for newborns:
Huggies Special Delivery Diapers
Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers
Honest Company Clean Conscious Diapers
Millie Moon Luxury Diapers
Best cloth diapersanchor
If cloth diapers are the right fit for your family, there are some things to consider when picking a brand. You will want to consider if the cloth diapers require stuffing, how you wash the diapers (Do they need line drying?), if the diapers can adjust for your little one’s size and growth, and the shape of the diaper.
Here are some of the most recommended cloth diapers:
Charlie Banana Reusable Cloth Diapers
Kanga Care Rumparooz Cloth Pocket Diapers
OsoCozy Prefolded Cloth Diapers
Thirsties One Size All-in-One Cloth Diaper
Best eco-friendly diapersanchor
For families who prefer eco-friendly or non-toxic products, here are some of the most recommended eco-friendly diapers:
Honest Company Clean Conscious Diapers
Dyper Simply Kind Diapers
Andy Pandy Bamboo Disposable Diapers
Coterie Diaper
HealthyBaby Diapers
Best diapers for sensitive skinanchor
If you have a little one with sensitive skin, you’ll want to look for a hypoallergenic diaper and wipes.
Here are some of the most recommended diapers for babies with sensitive skin:
Honest Company Overnights
Huggies Special Delivery Diapers
Millie Moon Luxury Diapers
Coterie Diaper
Best overnight diapersanchor
Overnight diapers can be great for preventing diaper leaks overnight. Many families find it helpful to use a diaper one size larger at night than you do during the day. You’ll just want to make sure that the tabs are fastened snugly around their lower belly.
Here are some of the most recommended overnight diapers:
Huggies Special Delivery Diapers
Huggies Overnites Diapers
Goodnites (training pant style for toddlers)
Expert Tip: Still struggling with nighttime leaking? Try adding a Sposie insert to your baby’s diaper.
Best diapers for blowoutsanchor
To help prevent blowouts, make sure you’re using the correct size and that the ruffles around your baby’s legs are pulled out. You’ll also want to look for a diaper that has a “pocket” on the backside that helps to prevent leaking.
Here are some of the most recommended diapers to prevent blowouts:
Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers
Huggies Little Movers Diapers
Kirkland Signature Diapers
Best diapers for toddlersanchor
If you have a toddler still in diapers, you can pick between a traditional style diaper or a training-pants style diaper.
Here are some of the most recommended diapers for toddlers:
Pull-Ups Training Pants
Mille Moon Training Pants
Kirkland Signature Diapers
Best baby wipesanchor
Just like with diapers, you may need to try out a few before finding the right ones for your baby. I do find that most babies do best with unscented baby wipes.
Here are some of the most recommended baby wipes:
Water Wipes Baby Wipes
Huggies Natural Care Wipes
The Honest Company Clean Conscious Wipes
Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes Fragrance Free
Best diaper creamanchor
Diaper cream is a product you will want to have on hand for the first few years of your baby’s life in case of diaper rash!
Here are some of the most recommended diaper creams:
Chelsey Wang Baby Diaper Cream
Tubby Todd Sweet Cheeks Diaper Paste
Desitin Maximum Strength
Bordeaux’s Butt Paste
Honest Company Organic Baby Diaper Rash Cream
Triple Paste Diaper Rash Cream
Active Skin Repair Baby
Expert Tip: Diaper cream is really thick and can be difficult to clean off your hands. Using a silicone diaper cream applicator can make applying diaper cream much easier!
What do I put in a diaper caddy or changing station? anchor
Consider having a diaper caddy or a changing station on each level of your house or in the areas where you spend the most time. This can make those frequent diaper changes in the newborn stage a little easier. Here is what I recommend you keep in your diaper caddy:
Diapers
Wipes
Diaper changing pad
Diaper cream
Diaper cream applicator
2-3 clean outfits
Plastic bags for messy diapers
You can find some of my favorite products for a diaper caddy here.
Expert Tip: Keep a diaper caddy in your car as well! You may not use it often, but it can be a life saver for when you accidentally forget the diaper bag or run out of diapers when you are out of the house!
How long can a baby stay in a poopy diaper?anchor
Ideally, you’ll change your baby’s dirty diaper as soon as you can. It’s okay to wait a few minutes if you’re in the middle of something. But if possible, change your baby’s diaper within ten minutes of knowing it’s dirty. This will help keep your baby comfortable and avoid diaper rash. I understand there may be times when this simply isn’t possible. Please don’t feel guilty. Just change their diaper as soon as you can.
What should I do if my baby has a diaper rash?anchor
Diaper rash is something that all babies will have at one time or another. When a diaper rash happens, the goal is to keep the affected area dry and clean so that it can heal.
Ways to help diaper rash heal:
Have diaper-free time when possible!
Use a thick layer of diaper cream to create a barrier between the skin and moisture from a wet diaper. You can also try a layer of diaper cream against the skin and a layer of Aquaphor on top as an extra barrier.
Instead of wiping, try dabbing with the wipe to keep your little one more comfortable during the diaper change.
If your baby seems sensitive when you’re using wipes, consider a very soft, wet wash rag instead of wipes.
If your baby’s diaper is simply wet, it’s okay to skip the wiping to reduce the amount of irritation on the skin.
If a diaper change requires wiping and cleaning, use the clean diaper to fan the diaper area dry before placing the new diaper on.
Expert Tip: If you notice that your baby’s diaper rash has open wounds, is bleeding, or causing your little one significant discomfort, reach out to your pediatrician.
What should I do if my baby hates diaper changes?anchor
I know it can be stressful when your baby screams anytime you change their diaper. Diaper changes are a necessity, so let’s look at some ways to help make them more pleasant:
Keep your baby as comfortable as possible. Little adjustments to keep your baby more comfortable can make a big difference. This may look like warming the baby wipes in your hands for a few seconds before wiping their diaper area or making sure the surface you’re using to change isn’t too chilly before laying them down. If you have a baby with reflux, consider rolling your baby to one side at a time to clean the diaper area instead of lifting their legs up towards their belly!
Distract your baby. Offering a distraction during your baby’s diaper change could be all you need to make the process more enjoyable for both of you! This could be as simple as singing their favorite song, making silly faces, or handing them a small toy.
Don’t rush. When your baby is screaming during a diaper change, your first instinct is likely to get through it as quickly as possible. But instead of rushing, try going through the steps calmly as you talk your little one through what you’re doing!
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Diaper Changing FAQ:anchor
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No. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns against using baby powder because it can cause breathing problems for babies. Instead, you can opt for a diaper cream or paste to help treat or prevent diaper rash.
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If your baby’s diaper is always leaking, this could be a sign that they’re ready to go up to the next size. It can also be a sign that the brand you’re using isn’t the best option for your baby’s anatomy. You’ll also want to make sure that the ruffles around your baby’s legs are flipped out, that the tabs are fastened snugly enough around your baby’s lower belly to help prevent leaks, and that–if you have a boy– his penis is aimed down into the diaper.
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A changing table is a matter of preference. Many families find that they don’t use a changing table as much as they expected. However, I do find that having a changing pad is useful! A changing pad can be secured on top of the nursery dresser, placed on the bed or floor, or moved wherever you need to change the diaper.
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As often as needed! Poopy diapers should be cleaned as soon as possible. You don’t need to change the diaper every time it’s a little bit wet (unless your little one is struggling with a diaper rash), but putting on a fresh diaper as a part of their nap and bedtime routine is a good guideline to follow!
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A newborn needs to have their diaper changed at least every 2-3 hours. Of course, if your newborn has a poopy diaper, they should be cleaned and changed as soon as possible.
Safety tip: If your newborn is having less than 5-6 wet diapers in a 24 hour period, please be sure to bring this up to your pediatrician right away.
