The Process of Changing a Newborns Diaper
You should not take lightly the changing of a diaper. For it to be done correctly, you need to take the time and do the proper steps. If not done so, your baby could end up with a diaper rash and more seriously, an infection. A clean diapered baby is a happy baby. To start, you need to know the weight of the newborn. With this, you will be able to find which size diapers will be appropriate. Not all newborns wear newborn diapers. You will also need to decide on which brand diaper you will want to use. There are several brands to choose.
The name brands are nice because they absorb more and children are less likely to get rashes. Priced less and packaged in greater quantity are generic brands. However, they are less absorbent, which results in frequent changing and greater chance for diaper rash. You will also need a diaper wipes and powder. Again, there are name brand and generic. You will have to make the decision based on, which is better for you and your newborns needs. After you choose the size and brand you need to set up the area in which you will be changing the newborn. It should be soft yet washable.
Sometimes things can get a little messy and you will want to be able to disinfect. Put all these supplies at easy access to you where you will be changing the newborn. Make sure supplies are at the foot of the changing area. This will keep little hands from reaching them. All the cellophane should be off the packages. Take the diapers out of the packaging and stack them at a hand’s reach. You should not have to walk away as soon as you start changing the baby. You are ready to change. Start by placing the baby on the changing surface with its head at appropriate end.
Undress the baby from waist down. There are tabs on the front of the diaper, lift up on the corners of them and the diaper will be unsecured. You need to check if the baby has had a bowel movement. To do this, just pull diaper carefully down between the legs of the baby. If so, hold both feet of the baby in left hand (for right handed people, right hand for left handed people). You now only have your right hand to work with. You will be holding the baby’s feet in your left hand for rest of the diaper changing. Lift the baby up so that only their butt is off the table.
While still holding baby in this position, take your right hand and place it in between the baby’s leg going toward the head. Grab the front of the diaper and pull it back through the legs carefully. You do not want to have to clean more than you have to. Place the front of the diaper down on the changing surface. Do not remove from underneath the baby yet. Babies will go at anytime, so the diaper underneath will grab any surprises. Next, open wipes box and remove one. Place wipe on the baby’s front by where you see the start of the bowel movement.
With a front to back motion, wipe the baby’s bottom. Take the dirty wipe and place it in the front of the soiled diaper. You may need to be repeating this step until the wipe does not show any soiling. Be sure to get into all the creases and check the back for soiling. If the baby, however, didn’t have a bowel movement then one wipe should be used to wipe off any urine that is on the baby. Then place the dirty wipe on the soiled diaper. Now you take the soiled diaper out from underneath the baby. You do this by sliding it toward the feet of the baby.
Set it aside. Reach over and get a new diaper off the new stack. Place the back of the diaper (the side with tabs) under the baby, making sure that the top of the diaper is in the lower to middle back. To check this, lower baby down to check placement. If not correct, lift the baby back up and adjust placement of diaper. Finally, you can lower the baby down. The baby is now on top of a clean diaper and is ready for powder. Open powder by turning ribbed top until you see the holes are open. With feet in one hand, lift baby’s bottom slightly up.
Take caution with this next step. Turn the powder container slowly over baby’s bottom. Softly shake it like a salt shaker. You and the baby will be covered in powder If too much force is used After a light dusting of powder is applied, place the baby down back onto the diaper. Now it is time to secure the diaper onto the baby. This step is usually the most difficult. Do not get frustrated. It takes patients and practice. Take the front of the diaper and lift it up slowly in-between the baby’s legs. Look for the tabs that are secured to the diaper.
On either side of the baby Pull up on the corner of the tab and lift to expose the adhesive. Bring the tab over to the front of the diaper. You will see a cute decoration pattern strip that is shiny on the front of diaper. This is where you will secure the tab. You will want to do the first side towards the middle of the strip. Take the opposite side tab and do the same. If you have difficulties reaching the middle with the second tab, you may have to loosen the first one you applied. To get the correct tightness, it might take a few adjustments on the placement of the tabs.
Make sure that the tabs are even from the center. This will give you an evenly placed diaper on the baby. The diaper should be snug. If you can see in-between the baby and the diaper, it’s too loose. On the contrary, if the babies skin is wrinkling, it’s too tight. Finally, it’s time to dress the baby from waist down. When this is done, place the baby in a safe place. Wash the changing area with a disinfectant, throw away soiled diaper and wash your hands. Now that wasn’t so bad. Was it? If your lucky, you only have 2 more years of diaper changing. In no time you’ll be able to do it in your sleep.
