Changing a diaper is one of the concerns of any new parent. Although, it is a very simple task if a couple of things are taken into account. Today, choosing the right products, the only problem can come from the human side. Simply taking care not to leave the child alone and to clean the most hidden corners, the rest is a piece of cake and, in any case, if it is not done completely well, the consequences are not serious.
What do you need to change a diaper?
- A baby.
- A disposable or cloth diaper.
- Toilet paper, soap and water (or, failing that, wipes).
- Flat surface.
- Ointments or thick creams.
Instructions for changing a diaper
- The first step is to prepare all the necessary supplies for the diaper change (disposable). The child can never be left alone as she may roll and fall.
- Whenever possible, use soap and water to remove urine and feces, therefore, set up an area near the faucet or prepare some homemade wipes with toilet paper, soap and water. Another option is to pour a soapy mixture into a small basin and wet a sponge. In any case, we must take this information into account to place the child in one place or another.
- Open and stretch the diaper to place.
- Protect the surface (horizontal and stable) with a clean towel to prevent the baby’s genitals from being exposed to bacteria.
- Lay the baby down.
- Undress him, removing as few clothes as possible.
- Peel off the adhesive strips from the diaper and stretch its front part until it is horizontal, on the surface.
- Next we use one of our hands to lift both legs of the baby.
- With soap and water, or with a wipe if necessary, we remove the remains of urine or feces, from front to back, dragging them towards the diaper.
- We remove the diaper and discard it.
- Afterwards, we wash the genitoanal area, with more water and soap or wipes. The movement will always be from front to back. In girls, from the vulva to the anus, including the folds. For boys, the same procedure, without forgetting to remove the foreskin, without forcing it.
- Apply barrier cream or antibiotic (if applicable). Do not use large amounts. The genitals should be left with a translucent layer of cream, always very well extended. Otherwise, the cream will act as an antiperspirant and may even cause chafing.
- Place the new diaper, already stretched, under the child. The strips must be in the part that is under the child, below the navel. We stretch from the front up, between the baby’s legs.
- This should be at the same height as the back, under the navel, but in front. We take off the strips and glue them to the front, ensuring the fastening of the diaper.
- We must make sure that the diaper is not too loose, otherwise the urine and feces will come out of the groin. Of course, we do not pass pressing. The right measure should be the one in which we can easily put our fingers through the edges of the diaper.
- We stretch the rubber bands in the groin area to each side, inserting a finger to prevent the fold (which comes as standard) from remaining, so that the diaper is fully extended.
- If you use a cloth diaper, the closure of the diaper may vary. The cloth diaper has some absorbents and when it has been stained it is washed to be used again.
Tips for changing a diaper
- Don’t forget to clean the folds of the vulva and foreskin. It is very important, above all, in the presence of feces since its permanence in these areas usually gives rise to infections.
- Learn to change your child’s feet. The process is the same, the difficulty lies in the fact of keeping the child standing, which is why it is a practice to be carried out when he is able to stand on his own.
- Do not use wipes unless it is an emergency situation. The pH and some of its components are not suitable for children’s skin.
- Don’t always use disposable nappies. These favor the appearance of alterations in the child’s genital area because they prevent proper perspiration. When the child is at home, especially in the summer, put cloth diapers on him. They allow the skin to breathe and better movement, as well as being lighter.
- Don’t use safety pins to hook cloth diapers! At present there are cloth diapers with closures similar to those of disposable diapers, but if you opt for the diapers of a lifetime, never the closures with a safety pin, even if you wear a child protector.
- Choose clothes that make diaper changing easier. In general, avoid those garments that require the child to be completely undressed (bodysuits with no opening in the crotch, dungarees, one-piece pajamas…). With this type of garment we lose a lot of time and expose the child to an ambient temperature that may not be favorable.
- Wash your hands after every diaper change.