Here you'll learn how to master the delicate art of diaper changing.
When diapering is not a chore, you'll find that both
you and your baby can enjoy the time you spend together
in this daily routine. Over the years we've learned
plenty about diapering babies — and have gathered some
of the best suggestions right here.
Gather changing essentials
Most parents agree that a well-planned changing area
makes diapering quicker and easier. Keep essential supplies
close at hand (yet out of baby's reach) on nearby
shelves. Essential supplies include: diapers, baby wipes and skin protective ointment or diaper rash cream.
Since a baby who is preoccupied is a baby who won't
wiggle and squirm, give baby something to look at while
being changed — such as an unbreakable mirror or a colorful picture.
Later on, when baby is able to grasp objects, keep favorite
toys close at hand.
Easy as 1-2-3
Step 1
Gently lay your baby down on a flat, firm
surface. Unfasten the soiled diaper and hold both your
baby's legs up by grasping both ankles with one
hand. Remove the soiled diaper and thoroughly cleanse
baby's bottom in and around all the creases with
HUGGIES® Baby Wipes, and be sure to wipe baby's
bottom from front to back.
Step 2
Now apply skin protective ointment or diaper rash cream.
Step 3
Next, slide a
clean diaper under your baby so that the fasteners are
in the back. Pull the diaper up between baby's
legs, making sure it's on straight, so it will
wrap evenly around baby's hips. Then open the
tabs, place them over the front of the diaper, and press
them down firmly in place. For a snug fit, fasten the
side closest to you first. Then roll your baby toward
you to tighten and fasten the other side. Try to keep
the overlap of front and back as neat as possible so
the diaper will hug baby's waist comfortably.
If you want to tighten or adjust the diaper, simply
lift the fasteners and reposition them anyplace on the
special tab "landing zone," which is often
marked by colorful characters near the top of the waistband.
The fasteners on HUGGIES® diapers are refastenable
and can be opened and fastened again as often as necessary.
Special safety note: Be aware that even a tiny newborn
infant can roll off a changing table. So either use
a changing table with a strap or keep one hand on your
baby at all times.
The scoop on poop
Most new babies have between one and 10 bowel movements
daily, and their stools are usually quite loose. It
may be weeks, or even months, before your baby has well-formed,
pasty stools. If you are breast-feeding, your newborn
may have a bowel movement at every nursing, and the
stools will probably be much looser than those of a
bottle-fed baby. Some babies may not have a bowel movement
for up to three days at times — this is not abnormal.
But if your baby has trouble pushing the stool out or
goes longer than three days without a bowel movement,
call your doctor right away.
You should also be aware that breast-fed babies usually
have stools of a yellowish-greenish color and those
of bottle-fed babies tend to look darker.
If you notice an increase in the number of your baby's
bowel movements, or if you notice a change in color
or odor, your baby may have a case of diarrhea and you
should consult your doctor at once.
And, because newborns have loose and frequent stools,
you'll want to make sure your new baby wears diapers
with elastic at the legs and waist. They'll give
a secure fit to help stop leaking.
The heartbreak of diaper rash
Even with the most expert and careful diaper changes, irritation in the diapered area (commonly known as diaper rash) can occur. This type of irritation is among the most common skin disorders found in infancy with highest incidence at 9-12 months of age. Excess skin moisture and prolonged exposure to irritants present in urine and feces can result in skin breakdown, leading to irritation and the appearance of rash. In addition, mix of feces with urine lead to the production of ammonia which contributes to an increase in the pH of the skin augmenting the potential for irritation. Thus, it is important that in the diapered area, the skin is kept dry and free from urine and fecal residues.
Doctors say that keeping a baby dry is the best way
to prevent diaper rash. So check diapers often and change
them as soon as they show the slightest trace of wetness.
Highly breathable diapers like HUGGIES® can also
help keep baby's skin dry. Of course, if your
baby has a mild case of diaper rash, be extra careful
to change diapers frequently. Your doctor will probably
also recommend that you apply a thin layer of protective
ointment or petroleum jelly to the affected area.
Also, many mothers report that leaving diapers off a
baby for at least 15 minutes daily often helps to clear
up a case of diaper rash. Of course, if a rash doesn't
heal in a couple of days, consult your doctor.
Diapers to go
The diaper bag is the essential piece of luggage whenever
you travel with your baby. You can buy a diaper bag
made just for that purpose, or easily improvise one
out of almost any roomy canvas or nylon tote.
What to pack? Be prepared for anything with the following
diaper bag essentials: a HUGGIES® Baby Wipes Travel
Pack, a supply of HUGGIES® Diapers, plastic bags
with twist ties for easy disposal, whatever cream, jelly,
or protective ointment you use, and — in a separate
pocket of the bag — any bottles needed for meals
on the go. Don't forget a small toy or rattle
to distract your squirming baby while you diaper. And
HUGGIES® Disposable Changing Pads are perfect for changes
on the go. They protect your baby from unsanitary surfaces
in public restrooms and safeguard floors, rugs and
furniture in homes you visit.