Your new bundle of joy requires that you learn a lot of new skills and talents. New parents will soon learn how to function on little sleep, how to find the right temperature for a bottle, the best nursing position and even the best ways to change a newborn baby's diaper. Changing a diaper may seem like a lot of trial and error at first, but eventually you'll find that changing a diaper becomes second nature, no matter which method you decide to try.
Table Change
Using a changing table for your newborn's diaper change can help you stay organized and keep the mess contained to one area of the home. A changing table with a safety lip, so baby can't fall off, is a safe way to change baby, as long as you always keep one hand on baby at all times. Remove the diaper and use the supplies at hand--wet wipes, ointment, new diaper--to clean up the mess. The procedure is easy to follow. Untape the diaper, but don't remove it. Wipe down your baby with the wet wipes, roll the diaper into a ball and discard or set it aside for laundering if you use cloth diapers. Then, slide the new diaper under the baby's bottom and fasten.
Basket Change
If you don't own a changing table or you find them cumbersome, you might find it easier to change your baby wherever you happen to be. When changing your baby on a couch, floor or chair, it's still important to keep a hand on him so he doesn't roll away. Place all of your supplies into a basket that you can carry to each area of your house as you need to. Changing the diaper is the same general method, but you may want to be more careful of baby having an accident on your carpet or floor. Cover your baby with a washcloth before you remove the diaper, suggests the American Pregnancy Association, so any accidents are safely caught on the washcloth instead of your expensive couch.
Travel Change
When you need to change your baby while traveling, time is of the essence and you want to be sure you can do it as quickly as possible. FlyingWithKids.com suggests keeping a small bag with the appropriate supplies tucked into your purse or diaper bag so the diapers, wipes and ointments are on hand. Prepare your supplies and wipe the change table with antibacterial wipes before you lay baby down and swiftly undress her for a changing. It's usually best to use disposable diapers while traveling, even if you usually use cloth diapers. If you use cloth diapers, you may be stuck with carrying around a dirty diaper on a plane until you're able to get to washing machine.
