Just when you thought you were the diaper changing expert, your
baby has decided to make things interesting. As your baby gets
older, she'll become livelier and stronger and may start to object
to being made to lie still for more than two seconds. You'll need
to start using some distractions to help you. Our 10 point routine
still applies to your baby at diaper change time, but you may need
to be a little more flexible.
- Have everything you need to hand - changing mat, cloth, wipes
or cooled boiled water, cotton wool, diaper disposal bags, and a
couple of fresh diapers.
- Choose a suitable diaper change spot: somewhere that he can't
roll off, and where you don't have to strain to reach him, as your
back muscles are still vulnerable.
- Lie your baby on his back and undo the diaper. Lift your baby
gently by holding both his feet and remove the used diaper, using
it to wipe away as much solid waste as possible.
- Carefully and gently wipe over your baby's diaper area, paying
special attention to skin folds. You can use a wipe, or warm water
and a cloth or cotton wool. For girls, wipe from front to back, to
keep germs away from the vagina. For boys, clean around the penis
and testicles, but don't pull back the foreskin. Check for diaper
rash.
- If necessary, dry your baby carefully with cotton wool or a dry
cloth. Letting him kick his legs in the warm, dry air is a good way
of reducing diaper rash.
- Open out the diaper and slide your fingers down the side of the
diaper to lift up the leak guards.
- Lift your baby's legs up and place the clean diaper underneath
(with the grip tabs at the back), so he's lying on it. The
absorbent, soft side of the diaper should go against his skin, and
the top edge of the diaper should be about level with the middle of
his back.
- Bring the front part of the diaper up between his legs and
spread firmly around the tummy. If you have a boy, point his penis
down in the diaper.
- With one hand holding the diaper gently on baby, open up one
Grip Tab and attach it to the front fabric fastening. Repeat for
the other side.
- Reposition the Grip Tabs to adjust the fit of your baby's
diaper so they are comfortable. Double-check that the diaper is not
too loose or too tight. Put your baby somewhere safe while you wash
your hands and tidy up
Disposal
Remember if there are any solids in the diaper, dispose of these in
the toilet. The used diaper can be rolled into a tight ball using
the Grip Tabs to seal it.
NOT flush the diaper down the toilet.
Here are some tips:
- Have a small box of toys or a book, and interesting, safe
objects for your baby to hold and look at while he's being
changed
- Make it fun, with lots of songs and giggles to distract your
baby from whatever he's trying to roll or crawl to
- If your baby is having a long, undisturbed sleep at night
without a diaper change, you'll need to remember to clean his
bottom in the morning. Toddlers tend to move about at night, so the
diaper needs to fit well. Adjust the tabs for a nice snug fit to
prevent urine traveling past the waistband.
Here's where you can find more information about the entire
Huggies Product Range to help make
diaper change time easier.
