Nappy changes are the maximum amount a part of parenting as feeding your little one. Although it takes a touch of practice, changing nappies will soon become a habit once you get the hang of it.
Read on for a guide on how to change your newborn’s nappy, with some extra tips supported whether your little one is a boy or a girl. We’ll also explain how often to vary your baby’s nappy, the way to know when your little one is ready to go up a size, also as how to avoid leaks and blowouts.
How to Change a Baby’s Nappy
Make sure that you have everything you need for the nappy change on hand. Once you’re ready, here’s the way to change your baby's nappy in a few easy steps:
Lay your baby down on his or her back and take away the nappy that needs changing. Roll it up and stick the tapes right down to seal the bundle. Chuck the nappy into a nappy bin if you've got one, or set it aside to throw into the rubbish bin when you’ve finished. If you’re putting the nappy within the rubbish, place it in a plastic bag first to reduce odors. Always keep plastic bags out of your baby’s reach, to scale back the risk of suffocation.
Gently clean your baby’s nappy area, taking care to wash between the folds of skin. You'll use gentle wipes or a little cotton wool dipped in water. Always wipe from front to back. Pat your baby and smile. This is often a great bonding chance, and talking to your little one helps your baby’s development.
If your baby has a nappy rash, apply a skinny layer of barrier cream to the affected area. Your health visitor or pharmacist is going to be able to recommend a nappy rash cream. If your baby features a rash in the nappy area that doesn’t clear up in a few days, check in with your health visitor or doctor.
Now very carefully raise your baby’s legs and lower body by the ankles and slide a clean nappy underneath. The fastening tapes should be at the rear, on the part of the nappy that’s under your baby. Then, pull the front of the nappy up between your baby’s legs and lay it flat on your baby’s belly.
Lift the 2 wings of the nappy on both the left and right side, and stick the stretchy fastening tape found on each wing onto the front of the nappy. The nappy should be snug around your little one’s waist, but please not too tight. The tabs should be symmetrical. Run a finger around the inside of the leg cuffs to pull them out; this helps prevent leaks. When you’re finished, wash your hands and clean the nappy changing table or mat.
Nappies. Although you simply need one nappy at a time, it is often helpful to have plenty on hand so that you don’t run out when you need one. Store the nappies within easy reach of you, but obviously out of your baby’s reach.
Wipes. To wash your baby's bottom, you will need wipes. Another choice may be a ball of cotton wool and water.
Barrier cream. You’ll need a barrier cream just in case your baby gets a nappy rash. Most babies get this at some point. Some babies may have more sensitive skin and could also be more prone to it, but there are many other causes. Not changing your baby’s nappy frequently enough is one, but others include diarrhea or maybe some soaps, detergents, or bath. Your doctor can recommend a barrier cream. If the rash persists. Ask your doctor or health visitor for advice.
Changing table. The safest place to vary your baby’s nappy is on a changing mat or towel on the floor, as there is no risk of your baby falling. The convenience of a changing table is tough to beat, though, especially if it’s equipped with drawers, shelves, or cubbyholes for storing nappy-changing essentials. If you are doing use a changing table, never shy away or leave your little one unattended on it.
Changing mat. The mat can persist on top of the changing table, otherwise, you can just put it down on the floor. Some may include a strap or raised sides to secure your baby. Although this offers an additional layer of security, keep a hand and an eye fixed on your baby at all times.
Nappy bin. It’s helpful to possess somewhere to stash your baby’s smelly nappies. A nappy bin helps lock in odors. You'll also use a standard bin with a lid.
Change of garments. If you’ll be changing your baby into fresh clothes, it’s an honest idea to have these with you so that you never have to leave your baby’s side. Never leave your baby unattended on a high surface, kind of changing table, even for a flash.
You might like to set up a nappy changing station in your baby’s nursery, with all the items you’ll need for nappy changes. This way, with everything within arm’s reach, you will not have to take your eyes or hands off your baby.
How to Change a Baby Boy’s Nappy
Follow the step-by-step guide above to find out how to change your boy’s nappy, but keep this one extra step in mind: Baby boys sometimes get an urge to wee when you take the nappy off, so position a muslin over his nether regions to assist prevent pee getting on the wall, on you or your little one’s face.
When cleaning your baby boy’s genital area, clean carefully around the testicles, but don’t pull back the foreskin to stop leaks, it’s also an honest idea to check that his willy is positioned downwards before closing the nappy.
How to Change a Baby Girl’s Nappy
Follow the step-by-step guide above to vary your baby girl’s nappy, taking extra care to wipe from front to back. This helps reduce the danger of your little one getting a urinary tract infection, which is especially common among baby girls. Don’t forget to softly and thoroughly clean between the folds of skin.
How to Change Your Newborn Baby’s Nappy
If you’re a first-time parent, you'll find it takes a few tries to get used to changing your newborn baby’s nappy. Don’t worry, as you’ll soon get the hang of it. Just refer back to the step-by-step guide above if you’re unsure what to try to do next.
Just after your baby is born, your midwife, Douala, or one among the nurses may give you some hands-on lessons.
Your newborn baby’s duct stump will dry and fall off a week or two after birth. Until then, fold the waistband of the nappy down if necessary to stay away from the cord stump.
As you await the umbilical cord stump to fall off, you would possibly like to use some nappy changes as an opportunity to gently clean and dry the umbilical cord area and check for signs of infection like a yellowish discharge or red skin in the area around the stump. If you are doing notice anything like this, tell your midwife, health visitor, or doctor.
Your baby’s first few poos are going to be a thick, blackish-green almost tar-like substance called meconium. This is often made of stuff that your little one swallowed – along with the amniotic fluid – while still inside your uterus.
As the meconium passes out of your little one’s system (for around 48 hours) poo will change to a yellow or mustard color.
If you’re breastfeeding your baby, this poo is going to be quite runny and odorless. If you’re feeding your baby formula, the poo will likely be darker brown and smellier.
Don’t be surprised if you notice a touch of white or bloody discharge in your baby girl’s nappy in the first few days after birth – this is normal. It’s thanks to hormones that have passed from your body to your baby’s body via the placenta. The hormones will clear from your baby’s body in a few days.
Also, you would possibly see what looks like a little blood in your newborn’s urine in the first few days. This is often likely caused by an over-concentration of urine and isn’t blood. This is often usually harmless, but let your midwife or doctor know if you notice this.
Be sure to check with your midwife, health visitor, or doctor if you've got any questions about what you’re seeing in your newborn’s nappy.
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