Although you may have built-in programs for holding, carrying, and communicating with your baby, it’s the basics of baby care that can sometimes feel daunting the first time around. Here is a how-to manual to gently walk you through all the ins and outs of baby tending.
If you’ve never changed a diaper before, it can be a daunting task. Your first decision will be whether to use reusable, fabric diapers or disposables, or a combination of both. Reusable diapers and their moisture-resistant covers will cost a lot more upfront. They typically cost about 10 dollars per diaper that you can use over and over versus about 25 cents for each diaper designed to be thrown away after one use. But since your baby will go through about 3,500 diaper changes a year until he masters self-toileting, recycling diapers could translate into saving thousands of dollars over the course of your baby’s diapering career. On the other hand, disposable diapers are a huge convenience that many parents think are worth the investment, and their moisture-wicking abilities are superior to cloth’s performance, which may help to protect your baby’s skin from diaper rashes. (Note: In rare cases, babies are allergic to the chemicals or materials used in disposable diapers and may get diaper rash from them.)
Next, you’ll need a handy place (or two) to change the baby that won’t cause your back to ache from leaning over. The safest, cheapest option is probably to buy a changing pad (or just use some old towels) and change the baby on the floor or the bed. However, this may mean that you’ll be bending over or squatting a great deal, depending on where you put the pad. A diaper-changing table is just the right height for doing the job, and it will have safety features, such as side railings and a strap for keeping your baby from squirming off and falling. (See more about choosing diapers and more about choosing a safe changing table in 4. Gear Guide.)
Another option is to buy a dresser that’s a comfortable height and install a cushioned changing pad on top. You won’t have the safety advantage of a railing, though.
Follow these simple steps and in no time at all you’ll have mastered the art of diapering. Here are the basics when using disposables:
• Set up. Prepare what you’ll need first: Remove a new diaper from the package; unfold it and place it next to you on the changing table. Have premoistened baby wipes or a warm, damp washcloth close at hand. Make sure there’s a garbage bag in the diaper pail.
“We figured out that if we aimed our son’s ‘magic wand’ downward when we changed his diapers, we had a lot less leaks because the wetness flowed into the padded part of the diaper.”
• Take off the old stuff. Lay the baby on his back on a changing pad or towel, being sure to support his head and neck at all times. Remove the old diaper. If it has adhesive tabs, roll it up from back to front and use the tabs to fold the soiled diaper into a tidy package for throwaway.
• Remove dirty clothes. If the diaper has leaked, launder them as soon as possible.
Tip
Once you’ve settled on the diaper brand you prefer and your baby has reached size 3 or 4, consider buying your baby’s diapers by the caseload from big-box membership warehouses, such as Sam’s Club or Costco. Also, sign up for free baby magazine offers online that will get you on the mailing lists of diaper manufacturers for samples and coupons. Test less expensive generic store brands and the performance of basic diapers over “superior” brands with extra features that may not make much difference.
• Clean the baby. Clean your baby’s diaper area using moist wipes or a damp washcloth. Be sure to wipe from front to back to keep all fecal material away from the urinary tract area. If it looks like it’s going to take more than a few wipes to clean her, and the umbilical cord and circumcision sites have healed, consider giving the baby a “bottom bath” in the sink using your hands or a washcloth to help, then pat dry with a soft towel.