When changing a baby's diaper, it is important to keep several things in mind, the first being the baby's safety. A baby should never be left alone, and therefore all of the things you'll need to change the baby should be within reach before starting. The place the baby is changed is important, too. If you're using a changing table, make sure it's flat and not on an incline, which could allow the baby to roll over. Any table with wheels should have brakes that are locked. Any furniture that is used should be sturdy and not wobbly. If your baby has diaper rash, you may need to be changing the diaper sooner.
Step 1
Place the changing pad down in the location you've selected to change the diaper. Lay the baby on the changing pad and remove the baby's clothes. If it's a changing table, secure the safety strap or straps around the baby's torso. The straps are secured to the table and generally have snap-in buckles.
Step 2
Pull the adhesive strips if it's a disposable diaper or unlatch the fasteners if it's a cloth diaper and unfold the diaper, but do not yet remove it from the baby. Place a dry washcloth over the genital area, especially for baby boys, to prevent urine from spraying into air.
Step 3
Clean the skin within the diaper area using a clean washcloth that has been moistened with warm water. Diaper wipes may be used instead. Be sure folds in skin are cleaned. When cleaning the baby's skin in the genital and diaper area, wash from front to back so as to help prevent urinary tract infections. After the entire area is clean, remove the diaper.
Step 4
Dry the skin within the diaper area by using a clean, dry washcloth.
Step 5
Apply diaper ointment if there is diaper rash or as directed by the baby's health-care provider. The ointment should be applied thickly like cake icing and spread with fingers over areas of the skin that have reddened with rash.
Step 6
Unfold the new diaper and place in opened beside the baby. Lift the baby up by the legs and feet and slide the diaper under the baby. The adhesive straps should be on the back (bottom) of the diaper if it's a disposable diaper. Pull the back corners of the diaper up and over the front corners of the diaper, remove the adhesive backing, and adhere the strips to the front (top) side of the diaper at the baby's belly. For a cloth diaper, the cloth should be folded into a triangular shape with the longer portion of the triangle between the baby's legs. Bring up that corner of the triangle to the baby's belly area. Fold the two side corners up to the same area and clasp the three ends of the triangular cloth in place with fasteners. For either style of diaper, make sure it is not too tight by sliding two fingers down the top front of the diaper. The two fingers should slide easily in.
Tips and Warnings
- Empty garbage regularly when using disposable diapers to help prevent the build-up of odors.
- The soap used to clean cloth diapers may cause diaper rash.
Things You'll Need
- Changing pad
- Clean diaper
- Fasteners, if using cloth diaper
- Clean, wet washcloth or diaper wipes
- Clean, dry washcloth
- Diaper ointment
