Changing your baby's diaper is easy - you
just need to stick to a routine. Here's a guide for how to do it:
- Have everything you need to hand - changing mat, cloth, wipes
or cooled boiled water, cotton wool, diaper disposal bags, and a
couple of fresh diapers.
- Choose a suitable diaper change spot: somewhere that he can't
roll off, and where you don't have to strain to reach him, as your
back muscles are still vulnerable.
- Lie your baby on his back and undo the diaper. Lift your baby
gently by holding both his feet and remove the used diaper, using
it to wipe away as much solid waste as possible.
- Carefully and gently wipe over your baby's diaper area, paying
special attention to skin folds. You can use a wipe, or warm water
and a cloth or cotton wool. For girls, wipe from front to back, to
keep germs away from the vagina. For boys, clean around the penis
and testicles, but don't pull back the foreskin. Check for diaper
rash.
- If necessary, dry your baby carefully with cotton wool or a dry
cloth. Letting him kick his legs in the warm, dry air is a good way
of reducing diaper rash.
- Open out the diaper and slide your fingers down the side of the
diaper to lift up the leak guards.
- Lift your baby's legs up and place the clean diaper underneath
(with the grip tabs at the back), so he's lying on it. The
absorbent, soft side of the diaper should go against his skin, and
the top edge of the diaper should be about level with the middle of
his back.
- Bring the front part of the diaper up between his legs and
spread firmly around the tummy. If you have a boy, point his penis
down in the diaper.
- With one hand holding the diaper gently on baby, open up one
Grip Tab and attach it to the front fabric fastening. Repeat for
the other side.
- Reposition the Grip Tabs to adjust the fit of your baby's
diaper so they are comfortable. Double-check that the diaper is not
too loose or too tight. Put your baby somewhere safe while you wash
your hands and tidy up.
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Disposal
Remember if there are any solids in the diaper, dispose of these in
the toilet. The used diaper can be rolled into a tight ball using
the Grip Tabs to seal it.
DO NOT flush the diaper down the toilet.
The general rule for newborns is to change your baby about as often
as you feed him. A lot of mums will change their baby in the middle
of each feed. However you usually don't have to do it at every
night feed.
Right from the start, your baby's diaper-changing time is a good
time to have a 'conversation', as well as being a necessary part of
the care you give. You're face to face with each other - so sing,
tickle, talk and have fun!
Here's where you can find more information about the entire
Huggies Product
Range to help make diaper change time easier.