Diapering your Baby - Step by Step

How to Change a Diaper?

Here are some common mistakes  that most parents do while diapering:

	Putting a diaper on backwards or lopsided.
	Getting an unexpected spray of urine from a baby boy.

It might  seem complicated at start but with this practical step by step diapering guide it will be easy:

	Get ready by using My Practical Diapering Checklist.
	Open the used diaper, hold your baby's legs with one hand and use the other hand to pull down the front of the diaper. Don't remove it just yet.
	Use the front part of the diaper to help wipe your baby -wiping from front to back to avoid a urinary tract infection, then again gently wipe  using wipe or wet washcloth to clean from the front to the back (never wipe from back to front).
	Lift baby's legs and slide the used diaper out, then slide a clean diaper underneath your baby.
	Pull the diaper's front up between baby's legs.
	Close the tabs on a disposable diaper or pin the corners of a cloth diaper together.
	Wash your hands with soap and water after changing your baby.

Diapering a Baby Boy

When diapering a boy, tuck his penis down  so he won't  urinate on you.

Diapering a Baby Girl

When cleaning a girl, wipe from front to back (from her vaginal area to her bottom) to keep bacteria from causing an infection.

Safety Guidelines

	Place your baby on the changing table or a flat surface, make sure to keep one hand on the baby so he doesn't roll off.
	Never Never leave your baby unattended, even for a minute.

Extra Tips

	If your child is squirming around, try to distract him/her with a mobile or a colored toy.
	Changing time is a great opportunity to bond with your baby, you can sing or talk to your baby explaining what you are doing.
	If you don't have a changing table you can use a bed or even the floor with a portable changing pad spread on it.
	If there is a mess, give your baby a bath, it is more efficient than cleaning all up on the changing area.
	For newborns, avoid covering the umbilical cord. Fold the top of the diaper down so that the umbilical stump is exposed, or use a newborn diaper with a cutout for the stump.
	To make sure that the diaper is snug but not so tight that it might pinch your baby's skin, place your two fingers between the diaper and baby's waist.

What to do with the used diapers?

Cloth Diapers

	Toss wet diapers right into the diaper pail.
	Empty any solid waste into the toilet first ,then toss the diaper into the diaper pail.
	Wash the cloth diapers separately from other laundry using a mild, hypoallergenic detergent.

Disposable Diapers

Place the disposable diaper into a small plastic bag, tape it up, and place it in a diaper pail.

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