How to Change a Diaper

In this How To article you will learn how to efficiently change a baby's diaper.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Clean, disposable diaper
• Wet wipes or wet washcloth
• Diaper rash ointment

1. Before you change a baby's diaper, you need to recognize that the child indeed needs a diaper change. When babies are young, they dirty their diapers frequently, but as they get older, they can generally last for longer periods of time. Just pull down the child's pants a little or unsnap the bodysuit, pull apart one side of the diaper, and look inside. You can tell by looking and/or smelling if a child's diaper needs changing.
2. Once you've established that the child needs a diaper change, you must gather the materials. You will need a clean diaper. Which brand you use is up to you. Your favorite can be established through trial and error, but my favorite line are the Pampers swaddlers and cruisers. They move with the child, absorb well, and the tabs hold. Always. Sometimes cheaper brands make a mess and you aren't really saving money because you have to throw more away. You may also need wet wipes or a wet washcloth and diaper rash ointment. I have not yet found a use for baby powder. It gives some children a rash and if you keep the diaper changed frequently enough, you won't need it.
3. After you've gathered your materials, open the clean diaper and place it on the surface you've chosen to change the child on. Then place the baby on top of the opened clean diaper, bottoms pulled off, dirty diaper still on. Unstrap the sides of the diaper gently holding the front of the diaper down on the child's stomach. Grasp the child's two feet in your non-dominant hand and lift, wiping the child's rear-end with the inside of the diaper. Place the folded diaper to the side. Take your wet wipes or washcloth and clean the child's privates, taking care to wipe front to back on the girls. Place the dirty wet wipe into the dirty diaper. Then pull the front of the clean diaper up quickly and fasten one side of the tabs. Don't worry about getting it straight; you can always re-do that side later. Then fasten the other side and adjust them, taking care to not get it too tight. Make sure your child is secure and then fold up the dirty diaper. The best way I've found to fold is to identify the front side (usually the one with the picture) and roll it up inside the rest, then folding the tabs closed around it. If you learn to do it right it will never come undone on you. Then dispose of the diaper properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Always make sure your child is secure before, during, and after changing! A fall from a high place can seriously injure a child.