How to Properly Change a Diaper

Changing a baby's diaper is an essential part of caring for an infant. If the baby in your care has either urinated or passed stool in his cloth or disposable diaper, you must immediately change the diaper to avoid any continued discomfort to the baby or a skin irritation caused by having the soiled diaper close to the infant's skin for a long period of time.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth or disposable diaper
• Baby wipes
• Clean, dry cloth or towel
• Cornstarch powder (optional)
• Diaper-rash cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Confirm that the infant needs her diaper changed by inspecting the diaper while she is still wearing it.

2. Obtain a fresh cloth or disposable diaper, baby wipes, diaper-rash cream (optional) and cornstarch powder (optional).

3. Place the infant on his back to remove the soiled diaper.

4. Gently lift the baby's legs to remove the diaper and cleanse her buttocks and genital area with the baby wipes.

5. If necessary, gently pat-dry the infant's buttocks and genital area to ensure that there is no moisture prior to replacing the diaper.

6. Place the baby on the clean cloth or disposable diaper and apply diaper-rash ointment (optional) and cornstarch powder (optional).

7. Lower the baby's legs so the diaper is securely covering his buttocks and the frontal area up to his waist.

8. Unfasten the tabs of the disposable diaper from the back and reattach to the front of the diaper to secure the diaper in place. (If using cloth diapers, attach the infant safety pins anchored at the sides of the diaper to the front of the diaper.)

9. Lift the baby up to confirm that the diaper is properly in place and won't leak in between diaper changes.