Nappies, known in North America as diapers, are used in most cultures to catch a baby's urine and excrement until he is old enough to become potty trained. You'll probably receive some instruction about nappy changing while in the hospital with your new baby. But you might want to brush up on safety, procedures and types of nappies ahead of time, so that you are prepared when your little one arrives. Like it or not, nappies will be a large part of the next three or more years with your baby.
Types
The type of nappy you choose will have an effect on how often you change them, and on the changing procedure. Disposables are very popular, as you can simply discard them. They are made of synthetic materials by a variety of manufacturers. Cloth nappies, however, have regained popularity in an increasingly "green" society, and they can be made easily or purchased. Cloth is a good choice for babies with sensitive skin, as these nappies are usually made from natural fibers.
Frequency
A disposable nappy should be changed every three to four hours. In fact, KidsHealth.org notes that a healthy baby should have at least six wet nappies per day. Leaving your baby in a wet nappy too long can cause skin irritation, rashes and discomfort. You might need to change a cloth nappy more frequently, as it does not have the synthetic ingredients that absorb as much liquid as the disposable variety.
Location
Choose a central location for your baby's nappy changes. Because of the items you'll need to complete the changing, keep them all together: fresh nappies, baby wipes, ointment, possibly powder and other comfort items. Some parents set up a changing station in the baby's room, but you also can create several changing stations, complete with a basket of supplies and a folding diaper mat, throughout the house. This is especially helpful when the baby is so messy that you don't want to carry him to another area of the house to change him.
Safety
Keep your baby safe by observing the correct way to protect her while changing her nappy. If you decide to use a changing table, select one with a lip so that she can't roll over and fall off. A dresser is not an acceptable changing table unless you modify it to have a lip. Keep one hand on your baby at all times. Always use safety pins with covers with traditional cloth nappies. Always wash your hands following the nappy changing to avoid the spread of harmful bacteria.
Procedure
As soon as you realize your baby is wet or dirty, bring him to the changing station and remove the nappy. If it is disposable, roll it tightly and place it in a container with a tight-fitting lid to transfer to the garbage later. If the nappy is cloth, remove it and set it aside; if the diaper was soiled with excrement, you'll need to rinse it out in the toilet before placing it in your washing machine. Parents often presoak cloth nappies in a lidded pail before washing an entire load. Wipe your baby regardless if he is dirty or wet, and slip a new diaper under his bottom. Disposable nappies usually have Velcro tabs to secure around the baby to finish the changing process. Make sure the nappy fits snugly without binding. Cloth diapers, when store-purchased often have Velcro enclosures, but some parents choose to use a safety pin closure. Secure the nappy, and use safety pin covers to make sure they don't come loose and harm baby. Slip an absorbent or waterproof cover over a cloth nappy for better leak protection.
