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Safe Diaper-Changing: Step by Step

1 August 2024

Diaper-changing can be stressful at the beginning, especially if you are unexperienced and this is your first baby. Adhering to several principles, practicing, and training can help you change diapers safely and turn diaper-changing time (which is very frequent in the first few months) into quality time with your baby.

Guidelines for safe and pleasant diaper-changing

  • Change diapers in a safe location: diaper-changing can be performed on a changing table or on the floor, thus avoiding falls.
  • Prepare the equipment at hand: diapers, baby wipes, diaper rash cream, and a change of clean clothing.
  • Maintain safety: it is crucial to keep your hands on your baby at all times during the entire diaper-changing process.
  • Diaper rash: to prevent diaper rash, it is recommended to change diapers 6-8 times per day, every time the baby has a bowel movement, or the diaper is wet with urine. If diaper rash occurs, it is recommended to wash with water and soap and, if necessary, to apply the rash cream.
  • Building a connection with your baby: diaper-changing time can provide shared moments of delight by making eye contact, smiling, tickling, offering gentle touch, and engaging in conversation or singing.

Diaper-changing step by step

  1. Put a clean diaper on the changing table.
  2. Remove the baby's lower-body clothing.
  3. Gently lift the baby's legs in one hand while unfastening the diaper. Wipe the baby's skin thoroughly with a baby wipe, ensuring to wipe from the genitals towards the buttocks (the anal area). You may also wash the baby's buttocks in a sink using lukewarm water.
  4. Position the clean diaper with the upper rubber band aligned with your baby's waistline. Place the front side of the diaper on your baby's tummy. Unfasten the diaper tabs and secure them on the diaper, ensuring it is not too tight or loose.
  5. If your baby’s clothes are clean, you can reuse them. However, if they are soiled (due to urine, stool, or spit-up), it is advised to change them into clean clothes.

Diaper-changing can be slightly overwhelming at the beginning, especially for new parents facing their first diaper change. You may have some questions, such as how to protect the baby from falling and how to bring a clean diaper. Which way to wipe? When and how should we apply diaper rash cream? There are a multitude of questions and apprehensions. However, after some practice, diaper-changing becomes straightforward and transforms into a bonding experience with your baby while maintaining their safety. To ensure a smooth diaper-changing experience, there are essential guidelines you should follow that will gradually become a habit.

All you need to know about diaper-changing

  • Diaper-changing in a safe and convenient location: it is recommended to change diapers on an even and padded surface with head protection. A diaper changing table offers convenience for both infants and parents, preventing unnecessary bending and potential back strain. An alternative option that is suitable and recommended by the “Beterem” organization is changing diapers on the floor, thereby protecting the baby from the risk of falls.
  • Preparing diaper-changing equipment at hand: to ensure we do not have to leave our baby’s side at all times (we all have our brief moments of distraction or fatigue), we should gather all the necessary diaper-changing supplies beforehand and at hand, for instance, placing the baby conveniently on the changing table or in the top drawer: diapers, baby wipes, diaper rash cream and a change of clothes.
  • Maintaining safety: it is crucial to keep your hands on your baby at all times during diaper changing.
  • Diaper rash: diaper rash manifests as redness or irritation around the baby’s genitals or anus, primarily caused by prolonged skin exposure to the dampness of the diaper. The rash can cause discomfort and even pain. To prevent diaper rash, change 6 to 8 diapers a day after bowel movements or wettings. If diaper rash occurs, wash with soap and water and apply a diaper rash cream, if necessary. Options include oily creams like calendula cream and white creams. If the rash persists despite cream use, consult the baby's doctor for further guidance.
  • Building a connection and enjoyment: diaper-changing time can provide shared moments of delight by making eye contact, smiling, tickling, offering gentle touch, and engaging in conversation or singing.

Diaper-changing step by step

Place a clean diaper on the diaper-changing surface.

Remove the baby's lower body clothing and put the baby on the diaper.

Unfold the diaper and gently lift the baby’s legs with one hand. The cleaning process differs depending on the type of diaper change:

  • For urine: gently wipe the genitals and the buttocks from urine and cream residues with a damp cloth or baby wipes.
  • For feces: clean with the diaper as much as possible and complete the cleaning with a damp cloth or baby wipes. Wipe from the genitals towards the buttocks to prevent infection. You can also wash the baby’s buttocks in the sink with lukewarm water and baby soap (check the water temperature to avoid burns) and pat the baby dry with a soft towel.

After discarding the soiled diaper, there is the clean one you prepared in advance. The upper rubber band in the back of the diaper should be aligned with the baby’s waistline. If the baby has diaper rash, it is recommended to wash with water and soap and apply a diaper rash cream around the genitals and anus, if necessary.

Place the front side of the clean diaper on the baby’s tummy, open the side diaper tabs, and secure them on the diaper, ensuring it is not too tight or loose.

If your baby’s clothes are clean, you can reuse them. If they are soiled (by urine, feces, or spit-up), it is advised to change them into clean clothes.