I just realized something—the site is called Changing Diapers, but I’ve never actually taught how to change a diaper here! First-time moms and even those who have never taken care of a baby before have doubts and, in some cases, get scared when it comes to diaper changing. But really, it’s very simple! The problem, almost always, comes down to the fear of the first time, but there’s always someone to help at the hospital. I remember my sister-in-law was terrified with my niece’s first diaper change after getting home, but soon she was handling the task very well! Tips for those just starting out—and also for those who have been doing this for a while:

Step 1: If the baby is very small, it’s ideal to have everything within reach. Usually you use a changing pad, the kind that goes on top of the baby dresser. But if you don’t have one, changing on the bed works just fine—just like our moms used to do. Set aside a clean diaper, diaper rash cream or cornstarch (which helps a lot if you don’t want to use creams, since it absorbs all moisture), cotton, warm water, and depending on your preference, baby wipes.

Step 2: Open the baby’s clothing and the side tabs of the diaper. Check whether a more thorough cleaning is needed—if there’s more than just pee in the diaper. If there is, use the diaper to wipe off the bulk, always wiping from front to back to avoid urinary infections from contact with the stool, especially important if the baby is a girl.

Step 3: Clean as you prefer, either with wipes or with cotton, warm water, and a liquid soap to remove feces residue. Avoid cleaning only with water, as residues may remain and the baby becomes exposed to diaper rashes. Clean and rinse very well. If the baby is a newborn, this is when you should clean the umbilical stump with a cotton swab and 70% alcohol. Moisten both ends of the swab and clean with both sides.

Step 4: Dry the area very well and apply the cornstarch or cream. Put on the clean diaper and fasten it so there’s room for two fingers between the diaper and the baby’s tummy so it won’t be tight. One useful tip is to adjust the leg cuffs of the diaper. If the diaper has leak-protective flaps, adjust them for better efficiency.

Diapers I Recommend

I would recommend the diapers I’ve used most and approve of. I use Monica diapers a lot—both the blue packet and Monica Huggies—but I also really like the Pampers Super Sec in the red package. In fact, the green Pampers Total Comfort is wonderful. However, the price and quality of the Super Sec are definitely worth it for me. I also use Pom Pom and Looney Tunes diapers. These are better for daytime and when the baby is bigger.

The Pom Pom diaper is the largest in terms of size—the M is equivalent to a G in other brands. Another good tip is to take Monica’s Rn size diapers to the hospital when you give birth; they’re smaller and perfect for the first few days. That’s it—feel free to leave comments and questions!

Also check out: How to Assess Your Baby’s Health Through Their Poop

Photo: Vermin Inc