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Activity - How To Diaper Your Newborn

By Rachel Lacourciere, edHelperBaby

  How To Diaper Your Newborn
           A good activity to practice prior to the arrival of your newborn is how to diaper him.  You can practice on a doll, stuffed animal, or if you are brave enough, try changing another baby's diaper to get a feel for how much a baby can wiggle and squirm during a normal diaper change. Below is a step-by-step guide for a basic diaper change:
  1. Lay your newborn down on a clean, covered surface and undo the tabs on each side of the dirty diaper.
  2. Remove the dirty diaper by grasping your newborn's ankles in one hand and lifting up in order to pull the dirty diaper out with your free hand.
  3. Clean the genital area.  For girls make certain that you wipe the vagina from front to back to avoid bacteria accumulating in the genital area that could lead to an infection.
  4. Place the clean diaper under your newborn's bottom.  If using a disposable diaper, the side of the diaper that has the tabs on it should be placed underneath your baby's bottom.
  5. Pull the diaper between your newborn's legs and close it by affixing the tabs to a disposable diaper or by pinning each side of a cloth diaper with a diaper pin.
  6. If necessary, place the dirty diaper in a plastic bag before placing it in the diaper pail or garbage.

 		   

  Things To Keep In Mind
   
  • Never leave your baby alone on the changing table as it only takes a second for your baby to roll off the table and possibly injure himself.
  • Make sure you have everything you need for the diaper changing process out and readily available before you begin.
  • Always remember to wash your hands before and after you change your newborn's diaper.
  • Many parents initially like to buy disposable changing pads to place underneath their newborns to protect the surface from the many accidental urinations and surprise poops that may occur while the baby's diaper is being changed!
  • When cleaning your newborn's genital area, don't forget to wipe any creases in his skin!
  • Keep your newborn's ankles grasped with one hand while you are cleaning up a bowel movement, otherwise your baby's foot could end up in it.
  • Some doctors recommend folding the diaper down below the healing umbilical cord stump or using newborn diapers that are specifically designed with a cut-out for the cord until it has fallen off.  Check with your doctor to see what he or she recommends.

 		   

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