This article is designed to help those who've never changed a disposable diaper before, or think they're doing something wrong.
Step 1. Gather all necessary items before starting. You'll need: clean diaper, baby wipes, baby powder, cream for rashes, and a disposable bag.
Step 2. Wash your hands.
Step 3. Cover changing area with cloth or waterproof blanket.
Step 4. Place baby on changing table and secure him, or on designated area. Do not place on counter he can roll off of.
Step 5. Fully remove child's pants or anything that may get in the way of diaper changing process.
Step 6. Unfold clean diaper, sliding tabbed portion underneath the child. The front of the diaper, generally with little pictures on the top, should be face down.
Step 7. Open tabs on dirty diaper and fold down. Do not remove yet. If child is a boy, cover penis with baby wipe or cloth to avoid spraying.
Step 8. Hold baby's legs up with one hand. Wipe the baby's bottom clean. If it's a girl, make sure you always wipe front to back. If it's a boy, be sure to clean all around the scrotum. Put used wipes in the dirty diaper, use as many as you need until wipe comes away clean.
Step 9. Pull soiled diaper out, fold and secure tabs. Put it in the disposable bag.
Step 10. Apply powder to bottom. If there is a rash, let it air dry or pat dry with a cloth before applying cream. Do not put powder on rash.
Step 11. Fold front of clean diaper up and secure tabs. Diaper should be snug without pinching. Make sure side ruffles are out, not in, to prevent leakage down the legs. If this is a newborn baby with umbilical cord, fold the diaper down to just below cord.
Congratulations! You have changed a diaper.
One last helpful tip. Have you experienced the "magic pee" with your baby boy, where the diaper is dry, but his clothes are wet?
Here's the thing you need to watch for: Make sure the boy's penis is pointing down when putting on diaper. This is something I wish I knew when I first started changing diapers. If he is pointing up or to the side, his pee will shoot right out of the diaper. Remembering this will prevent many clothes and bedding changes.
Good luck with the new addition to your family.
