How to Use Disposable Diapers

Disposable diapers provide convenience and easy disposal.

For a new parent, diapering can invoke fear and trepidation at the thought. Disposable diapers, as opposed to cloth reusable diapers, can provide ease, convenience and quick cleanup that helps to alleviate nerves. Disposable diapers are also available in wide varieties, characters, sizes and price ranges. Although parents may need to comparison-shop to initially find the right diaper for a child, there is a diaper that will meet each parent's budget, expectations and aesthetic taste.

Things You'll Need

• Diapers
• Wipes

Instructions

Disposable Diaper Instructions

1. Place infant on a changing table or safe, flat surface and secure the infant.

2. Open the disposable diaper so that the diaper tabs are open and the entire inside of the diaper is showing.

3. Lift the infant's feet and slide the open diaper under the infant, tab-side first. The tabs should now be in back and any design or characters should be in the baby's front.

4. Secure the diaper elastic so that it fits securely around the infant's legs and secure the diaper so that it is high in the back. To check if the back is covered correctly, check to make sure that the infant's rear end is not showing.

5. Bring the sticky tabs around the infant's legs so that they stick to the front of the diaper. Most disposable diapers have an area that is meant for the tabs and it's usually above the character or design on a diaper. The tabs should be at the same level as the infant's belly button.

6. Remove a dirty diaper by unsticking the tabs and lifting the infant's feet. Use any wipes necessary to clean the infant, but keep the dirty diaper under the infant while cleaning. Once clean, slide the dirty diaper out from under the infant and dispose.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to secure the disposable diaper snugly, but not too tight. It's too tight if you are pulling the tabs taut.

• If the child still has the umbilical cord stump, be sure to fold down the diaper so that the diaper does not rub the stump. Rubbing can cause irritation. Some diapers also have cutouts for newborns with umbilical stumps.

References

• The New Parent's Guide: Diapers, Diapers, and More Diapers

Resources

• Diaper Jungle: The History of Diapers