Congratulations on your baby! What a wonderful, exhausting, unforgettable time of your life!
One of the realities of taking care of a baby is changing their diaper, over and over and over! After 20 years of having at least one in diapers, I can relate! Here are some tips I learned along the way that might be helpful to other parents changing diapers.
Tip 1: Cloth or Disposable?
Is it better to use cloth or disposable diapers?
In a college class we talked about this question. The cost and energy involved in disposable diapers is from them being made and thrown into landfills. The cost and energy of cloth diapers is from them being washed and washed and washed. In the end, the cost and energy came out pretty even, so take your pick!
We used disposable diapers for our babies (until it was time for potty training). Pampers and Luvs were our favorites, since they both stayed pretty flexible and comfortable for baby. There were also a few store brands we tried that were great. As long as the material doesn’t bother your baby’s bottom, use what works well for you.
Tip 2: Powder or Cream?
For years we used Desitin when changing baby’s diaper, which was usually great. But I noticed that if baby had a bad diaper rash, they’d cry like it hurt when we spread it on.
We used baby powder for a while, and it was nice to help them stay dry and smell fresh, for the most part. But it didn’t help much if there was already a rash.
If you’re dealing with a diaper rash, I’d recommend an ointment with petroleum jelly, like Vaseline or Aquaphor. Toward the end of our diapering journey we discovered this kind of ointment that’s also petroleum jelly based, called A+D. We really liked it. It worked well for all sorts of diaper rashes, and never made them fuss like it hurt when we rubbed it on.
Tip 3: What kind of wipes?
When changing baby’s diaper, getting that baby bottom clean is the best way to prevent and cure diaper rashes. That means you need baby wipes.
Not all wipes are created equal. Some will fall apart or leave flecks as you go. 👎I don’t know what you have access to, so watch for which kinds hold together well for you. We usually went for Huggies or Kroger brand. And I always got the scent free ones. As nice as it sounds to have a lovely scent when you have to face a stinky diaper, the reality of a perfume mixed with the smell of poo was worse to me than just the poo.
It’s important to be gentle but thorough on those little bottoms. Clean from front to back, getting all the nooks and crannies. Breastfed babies can have a light colored poo that is hard to see against the skin, so keep cleaning until the wipes come off clean.
When our babies would have a big mess, or if their bottoms were sore from a rash, I’d just turn on the sink water to a warm temperature, stick their little bum under there, and wash them with my hand and hand soap. I found that to be a gentle but thorough way to get them clean.
Although I don’t miss those messes, I do miss those tiny bums.
Tip 4: How often?
Newborns need to be changed at least 5 times a day in the first few months of life. When they get bigger and their diapers hold more, 4 or 3 times a day can work just as well. If your baby is prone to diaper rashes, you might need to change them more often. If they still get rashes, try a different kind of diapers, wipes, or ointments till you find what works best for your babies skin. Look for “scent free” and “hypoallergenic” on labels to help you find the gentlest things for that tender new skin.
I hope these tips for changing your baby’s diaper are helpful. Happy parenting, and enjoy your adventure!
