When you have a new baby the nurses probably put on the first diaper and maybe even change a diaper or two before you are given the opportunity to go at it on your own. Many first time parents sit in the hospital room with their new baby and just look at each other when it is time to change their baby’s diaper for the first time. A lot of times the mother is sure she can do it, while the father sits there looking dumbfounded, not having a clue. There are steps that both parents can take to help make diaper changing whether it is the first one, or their 100th.

Step 1: Be prepared before you begin to change the diaper. Have all the items you need together before it is time to change the diaper. Diapers, diaper wipes, cream and powder should all be within arms reach when you start. Once your baby starts rolling it isn’t safe to leave him to get supplies, and before hand you need to be prepared and be fast because babies like to pee on their parents. Being prepared will cut down on clothing changes, for you and for your baby.

Step 2: Create a safe place to change your baby. It is important to have a flat firm place to change your baby. Even newborns can flip themselves off a table just by kicking and moving so make sure that you keep one hand on your baby at all times. Many Pack N Plays now come with build in changing tables, and you can also buy changing tables at your local baby store. Changing tables normally have an area for all the supplies making it convenient.

Step 3: Undress your baby just enough to make it easy to change him. If he is just wearing an onesie unsnap it and pull it up a bit. If he is wearing pants or a one piece outfit remove the bottom part in order to free up the legs. When you can, take off the socks so that your baby doesn’t stick his feet in his dirty diaper, and make sure you have a change of clothes in case he does.

Step 4: When removing one diaper be sure to have another underneath your baby’s bottom or ready to put under there immediately. You will be surprised at how often your baby will decide to pee and poop as soon as you take off his diaper. Also have a diaper wipe or wash cloth ready to cover your baby’s genitalia because you never know when your baby might become a fountain.

Step 5: Use the diaper wipes to clean the baby off well. Especially for a girl who has extra folds; you want to make sure you get every area. On a girl wipe front to back in order to keep from introducing the bacteria into her genitalia which can cause infection.

Step 6: If it is needed put on diaper rash cream. Many pediatricians no longer recommend using baby powder so check with yours and weigh the pros and cons before you decide.

Step 7: The tabs on the diaper should be behind the baby. After your baby is clean pull the front of the diaper up between your baby’s legs and fasten it closed. Not so tight that your baby can’t breathe, but not so loose that it can easily leak.

Step 8: Clean your hands and if necessary the baby’s feet and legs. Diaper wipes are a great cleaning source to have around for more than just cleaning a bottom. Keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer at the changing table will help insure that you are able to fight away the infection causing bacteria.

Step 9: Redress your baby, including his socks and be prepared to start all over again soon, as it won’t be long before your baby needs another diaper change.

When you have a new baby the nurses probably put on the first diaper and maybe even change a diaper or two before you are given the opportunity to go at it on your own. Many first time parents sit in the hospital room with their new baby and just look at each other when it is time to change their baby’s diaper for the first time. A lot of times the mother is sure she can do it, while the father sits there looking dumbfounded, not having a clue. There are steps that both parents can take to help make diaper changing whether it is the first one, or their 100th. It is bound to happen eventually. No matter how quickly you clean your baby’s bottom and how much cream you put on, your baby will more than likely get a diaper rash. Diaper rashes can come in various forms and degrees of severity. There are solutions to help stop and cure what can become diaper rash madness.

What Causes Them?
Diaper rashes can be caused by a number of different things. It can be caused because a baby is left in a wet or dirty diaper for a long period of time. It can also however be a reaction that your baby may have to milk, citrus fruits, and other baby food. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your baby is allergic to what you are feeding them; it may just be that it doesn’t go out as easily as it goes in. When your baby is sick and has diarrhea, they can easily get diaper rash just from one bowel movement.

How Severe Can It Get?
Diaper rashes can resemble anything from a little redness to a bum that is broken open, red and bleeding. Your baby may have a rash that covers his butt, or it may be centralized to one area. It might be red, or have bumps resembling blisters, or actually be blistered. In the worst cases it can get bloody and pussy, or turn into a yeast infection which may need prescription medication to be treated.

How Do You Get Rid of It?
Sometimes getting rid of diaper rash can be simple, other times it may take a few days. There are a lot of different diaper rash creams and gels on the market that contain zinc oxide from companies like Desitin, Aveeno and Balmex, one company even makes a cream calls “Butt Paste”. Vaseline can also be used to help cure and prevent diaper rash. Although no longer recommended by all pediatricians, some will tell you to put baby powder on your child when you change his diaper to help keep him dry. Be sure to consult your child’s’ pediatrician to see what he recommends.

In more severe cases of diaper rash, where the creams just don’t seem to get rid of it, try placing your baby in a bath consisting of water and baking soda. The baking soda can help aid in drying out your baby’s rash and healing it. If your baby is bleeding and pussy, or if you just want a second opinion, do not hesitate to call your pediatrician to have your baby looked at.

How Can You Prevent It
You may not be able to always prevent diaper rashes. In the case of it being related to a food your baby eats or drinks, like orange juice when he is a toddler, all you can do to avoid it is eliminate that food from your baby’s diet. In order to prevent diaper rash in general though try to check and change your baby’s diaper frequently, not leaving him in an overly wet or poopy diaper any longer than necessary. Use the creams and gels as a preventative measure, instead of just as a treatment. Try making sure that your baby’s skin is completely dry before putting on a diaper, so that the wetness does not get on the diaper and lay against your baby’s skin.

If your baby gets a diaper rash when you first introduce a new food, try to not give him that food till the diaper rash has cleared. If the baby gets a rash when you introduce it again, then you will know that the food does not agree with your baby and you will be able to steer clear from that, and other foods that contain the same ingredient. The last thing you can try is changing the brand of diapers and wipes you use to see if that makes a difference.

When In Doubt…
If you are not sure if your baby has an allergy, a rash, or how severe his rash is, don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician and have your baby seen. That is their job and they may even have more recommendations to help you heal your baby’s butt.

1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply).
2. Wipes
3. Cream (like Desitin, A&D ointment, Vaseline).
4. Baby Powder
5. At least one bottle of juice or milk
6. A few jars of baby food
7. At least one clean outfit
8. A few bibs
9. A few cloth diapers to clean up spit and other spills
10. Items to entertain your baby (rattles, books, toys)
11. Baby thermometer
12. Teething rings
13. Biter biscuits or similar type of crackers
14. Medicine for fevers, colds, related symptoms
15. Any prescription medications
16. Measuring device for medications
17. Baby Nail Clippers
18. Phone number of Baby’s Physician
19. Any stuffed animals or favorite blankets your baby needs to fall asleep
20. Any parenting books you refer to frequently to find answers to unexpected questions

Resource Box – © Danielle Hollister (2004)

About the Author:
Danielle Hollister is the Writing Host at BellaOnline and Publisher of BellaOnline’s Writing Zine To subscribe send email to: bellaonlinewriting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.