Are you struggling with a diaper change and don't know how to do it?
Mom, not alone, keep reading and reading all the answers on how to change the diaper.
Summary
Changing the diaper
Changing a diaper is much less difficult than you might imagine. Especially in the first months you will have to change countless diapers, at all hours, day and night, before and after feedings. But don't be afraid, the care of the newborn and in particular the diaper change is a delicate and special moment that can turn into a moment of pampering.
When to change your baby's nappy
It's not hard to tell when it's time to change the diaper, the baby will snort and start making little noises. In addition to the baby's verses, the smell of pee and poo will certainly leave you in no doubt. If you are afraid of not knowing when to clean the baby there are diapers that help parents know when the baby needs to be changed, in fact they are equipped with a sensitive strip that changes color in contact with liquids, therefore, it will be enough to see the color to know whether or not to change the diaper. The diaper should be changed often, preferably before each feed (especially if the baby is breastfed and every time the baby has pooped or peed to prevent the little ass from getting red. The skin of babies is very thin and still lacks the invisible film of water and fat, called the hydrolipidic film, which serves as a protective barrier; prolonged contact with poop and urine can promote inflammation. The baby's skin is delicate, very sensitive and prone to redness and irritation when in contact with the aggressive action of excretions.
Where to change the diaper
Changing the diaper must be done on a safe plane and with the careful eye of an adult. The surface on which to place the baby for the change must be soft and comfortable, suitable to avoid accidental falls or trauma. If you are at home you can use the changing table or a soft surface covered with a waterproof sheet.
Changing nappies outside the home can be done using a portable changing table. Many diaper changing bags have integrated a foldable changing mat, so changing your diaper on the go won't be a problem. Alternatively, you can bring a portable changing table. If the baby suffers from reflux, it is advisable to change the diaper before feeding to avoid putting the baby in the supine position after feeding. In cases where the infant with reflux needs to be changed after eating it is a good idea to place a pillow between the changing table and the baby's back to keep the baby lifted and avoid regurgitation. If you have an anti-reflux pillow, change it there, it's the best place.
The diaper change environment must be warm and away from drafts. Before starting the operation, make sure you have all the necessary material close and at hand. If you find that you are missing something while you are changing your baby, never leave him unattended, rather wrap him in a towel and take him with you. When you make the change try to always look your little one in the eye, over time he will learn to return the maternal gaze and create a delicate dance of love.
Material needed to change the diaper
A clean diaper (disposable, washable or ecological);
Cotton balls, warm water and intimate baby cleanser or wipes;
A small towel;
Diaper change cream (no lotions or talcum powder needed);
Spare clothes in case something came out of the nappy and soiled the onesie.
Baby intimate
If the baby is only wet with pee, especially in the first days of life, it is good to use only lukewarm water. If the baby is dirty with faeces for washing, use a very delicate detergent specific for the private parts of babies. Products that do not contain perfumed essences but only light emulsions with a low degree of acidity that do not grease the skin are recommended. The best intimate cleansers for babies are:
Mustela intimate cleanser: specifically formulated for the intimate hygiene of babies and for the treatment of redness and irritation. With physiological PH and allergen-free, it soothes the skin of newborns thanks to a series of active ingredients.
Natura Siberica Little Siberica: this cleanser respects the skin of the urogenital area of newborns. Specifically indicated for cleansing at each diaper change because it does not alter the mucous membranes of the intimate parts.
My Euphidra starch: soft consistency made up of ingredients of vegetable origin associated with a soothing and emollient complex. A product suitable for daily use
Oil and talcum powder
Oil and talcum powder are not necessary. The talcum powder is absolutely not recommended by pediatricians. The oil should be used in a cotton swab to gently remove traces of poo attached to the bottom. The oil should never be passed on the buttocks or genitals because it does not have a moisturizing effect, on the contrary it tends to dry out the skin and close the pores.
How to change the diaper
Wash your hands well with soap and water, if you are away from home, clean them with a towel.
Have something on hand to distract the child or entertain them with verses, funny faces and songs. You can hang a colorful toy that attracts attention or a music box above the changing table.
Gently place the baby on the changing table or on the table where you want to change the baby
Open the adhesive tabs of the dirty diaper but do not remove it immediately, first check the situation.
If the baby has pooped, use the front of the dirty diaper to roughly clean the dirty bottom, then fold it with the clean side facing up so that it acts as a surface.
If the baby has peed, simply fold the diaper in half like a book, keeping the clean side facing the baby.
At this point you just have to clean the baby's bottom and genitals.
You can do this in three different ways:
With cotton squares and hot water;
With running water;
With baby wipes.
How to clean the baby with cotton squares and warm water
If you want to clean the baby with hot water and gauze before starting the baby change, fill a basin with warm water and dip some squares of gauze into it. Squeeze the square lightly and start cleaning the baby's genitals from the front to the back and never the other way around. For each step use a different wad, in the end never immerse it in clean water but throw it away. Be careful to go over all the folds of the baby. When you are sure that you have thoroughly cleansed the baby, dry it carefully by dabbing without rubbing.
How to clean the baby with running water
To clean the baby with running water (recommended method for large poos or meconium) open the sink tap with warm water, carefully checking its temperature. To perform the bottom cleaning operation, the baby must be held in support with the belly on the mother's right arm and with the feet touching the sink. With your left hand, clean the baby carefully, from the genitals to the bottom to avoid contamination. Wrap the baby from the waist down with a soft, non-abrasive towel. Return the baby to the changing table and dry the ass well, trying not to leave wet or damp areas, especially between the folds.
How to clean the newborn with wipes
Wipes are a great method of cleaning outside the home and at night. For cleaning with wipes, always proceed with movements from front to back, remembering to clean up the vulvar area in the sissies, between the large and small lips; in boys the foreskin area. Only after having removed all traces of fecal material, especially between the folds, dry carefully. Before putting on the clean diaper, make sure the baby's bottom is completely dry.
How to put the diaper
After washing the baby you are ready to put on the diaper.
Open the clean diaper and place it open close to you so that it is easily accessible without having to move too far away from the baby.
Lift the baby's legs from the ankles by holding both the baby's ankles with one hand and with the other place the clean diaper under the back just above the waist. The side of the diaper with the adhesive tabs must be under the baby
Apply the nappy changing cream.
Bring the front part of the diaper between the baby's legs by pulling lightly then remove the adhesive tab protection from one side of the diaper and attach it to the front of the diaper.
Do the same thing on the opposite side. The tabs can be detached and repositioned several times.
Make sure that the nappy is not too tight or too loose: at the top, in the front, between the nappy and the tummy there must be space for two fingers.
Changing the baby boy's diaper
If you have a boy, keep the diaper over the penis as much as possible in order to avoid getting wet, male babies are very good at making fountains with pee. Don't be surprised if you notice erections during nappy changes, it is a completely normal phenomenon during nappy changes. The penis should be washed and rinsed carefully only on the outside. Carefully clean the space under the scrotum and around the penis. It is forbidden to force the skin to uncover the glans, this maneuver once recommended, can have consequences causing infections or worse still the constriction of the glans. Clean the crease between the legs and the foreskin. When you have finished washing the weasel, move on to the buttocks and only at the end to the anal area.
Diaper change for females
Girls' hygiene includes cleaning the vulva and external genitals. To avoid carrying the bacteria that are normally found in the anus area into the vagina or urethra, we proceed with movements that start from the front to the back. It is necessary to carefully clean between the large and small lips without rubbing. After having thoroughly cleaned the genitals, we proceed by cleaning the buttocks and finally the anus.
Yellow mucus in the baby girl's genitals, genital crisis
In the first weeks of life of newborns it can happen to find vaginal secretions in the diaper. Vaginal discharge is completely normal and it is absolutely not advisable to try to remove it. Mucous losses are due to the effect of maternal hormones received through the placenta over the course of nine months. After 15-20 days their effects wear off.
Diaper change with the umbilical stump
If the umbilical stump is still attached, fold the diaper down (as shown in the diaper change video above) and expose the umbilical area to air, avoiding getting it wet. If the gauze around the stump is wet, dress the cord before putting on the clean diaper. The umbilical cord usually falls off in 7-14 days and must be kept dry and clean during this time. To facilitate good circulation in the area, the diaper should be closed below the umbilical area so that the stump dries easily. The umbilical cord should be cleaned with a gauze soaked in alcohol and left to dry naturally for a few seconds. During this operation, babies often cry but not because they are in pain but bothered by the fresh contact with the gauze. Normally the cord is odorless, the presence of bad smell is always synonymous with an infection that needs treatment. It is advisable to consult the pediatrician if the area around the stump has red spots or fluid leaks For further information: Umbilical stump.
Where to throw away dirty diapers
Dirty nappies should be closed with the adhesive tabs, forming a compact sphere. Dirty diapers can be placed in a special dirty diaper holder that removes the bad smell from the diapers, or in the unsorted garbage. Washable nappies should be kept in a tightly closed container until washing, remembering to always remove the absorbent pad. If you are away from home, you can keep dirty washable nappies in a plastic bag until you come home.
Sore bottom and diaper rash
If the bottom is reddened, it is good to put a zinc oxide ointment with a concentration of 14% and leave the area exposed to the air if the environmental conditions allow it. After washing and drying the genitals, you can put on a diaper rash cream. Diaper creams are designed to create a real barrier between the baby's delicate skin and the diaper. The most recommended are those based on zinc which are also effective in case of erythema. The best diaper changing creams are:
If the erythema persists despite the use of the cream, it may be useful to change the brand of diapers. In cases of irritation from allergy nappies, cloth nappies can be used using a neutral detergent to wash them and hanging them in the sun to dry them. If diaper rash persists despite the protective cream and washable diapers, consult your pediatrician to assess whether the infection is caused by other factors.
Diaper change after rotavirus vaccine
After rotavirus vaccination, diaper changes require special attention because the attenuated virus administered is eliminated in the faeces in the days following vaccination. The peak of contaminated stool is around 7 days after the vaccine. Even if an attenuated virus without pathogenic capacity is administered to the newborn with the vaccine, it is necessary to avoid contaminating the surfaces with feces that could expose immunosuppressed subjects to the disease. The rules to follow are very simple, wash your hands well before and after changing the diaper and take particular care of the hygiene of the surfaces and fabrics used for the diaper change.
Frequently asked questions about changing nappies
Diaper change before or after feeding
For a well-established practice, the change must be done before breastfeeding. Very often, however, after the meal it is necessary to repeat the operation because almost all newborns, and in particular those who are breastfed, are discharged during the feeding.
Diaper change at night
If the diaper is dirty and the baby is asleep, it is not necessary to wake him up for the change, it will be enough to make gentle movements to not wake him up. As an alternative to washing with running water, wet wipes can be used.
Because she cries when I change the diaper
Babies very often cry and throw tantrums during the change. The main cause of crying during the change is the cold hands of the mother or the wipes. The baby may not like being undressed, or may feel cold. The more tender and delicate the diaper change, the easier it will be for the little one to get used to it.
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