How to Change a Baby’s Diaper

Changing a baby’s diaper for first-time parents or caregivers is often accompanied by feelings of dread and comical spectacle. Newborns and toddlers who haven’t learned to sit on the potty need a diaper change every few hours to avoid redness and discomfort. You should arrange a place to easily change diapers or cloth diapers for your baby as soon as needed.

Table of Contents

Take off dirty diapers and clean your baby

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Hand washing. Before changing your baby’s diaper, wash your hands with soap and water. If you don’t have a sink and faucet, you can rub hand sanitizer on your hands, or wipe your hands with baby wipes if hand sanitizer isn’t available. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If you work in daycare, wear gloves after washing your hands.

Have all the necessary supplies ready. You should have everything at hand before you start changing your baby’s diaper so you don’t have to leave your baby to get anything.

You will need: some wet rags or towels, a new diaper, and a change of baby clothes.

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Prepare a clean diaper. Place the baby on the diaper change and remove the new diaper. If using a diaper, open it. If you’re using cloth diapers, fold or insert extra absorbent pads depending on the diaper type. Keep the diaper by your side for easy access after removing the dirty diaper. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Many people place a clean diaper directly under a dirty diaper before changing to prevent problems during diaper changes. The only thing you need to remember is that a clean diaper can get dirty, and then you need to use another diaper.

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Open and remove the dirty diaper. Peel off the patch of the dirty diaper to open it. Pull down the front of the dirty diaper and gently lift the baby’s legs up a bit. If the diaper is wet, slide the back half of the diaper away from your baby’s bottom. If your baby has a bowel movement, use the front half of the dirty diaper to wipe it off. Set the dirty diaper aside until you can roll it up. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Lift the baby’s legs up with one hand so that the baby’s bottom is in the air to avoid touching the diaper surface.
Remember to keep the dirty diaper out of the baby’s reach.
If your baby boy’s diaper changes or pees during diaper changes, you can place a clean towel or wet tissue over your baby’s “chili” when changing diapers.

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Wipe your baby’s bottom with a wet tissue or damp cloth. Use a wet baby wipe or a damp cloth to wipe the genitals from front to back (towards the buttocks). It is important to stay clean to prevent infection. To clean up the stool, you may need to use several sheets of wet tissue to wipe it off. Grasp your baby’s ankles and gently lift her legs and wipe her bottom. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Double-check to make sure the poop doesn’t get on your baby’s genitals and thighs.
During the first few weeks of your baby’s birth, you should use a cotton ball or soft cloth moistened with a little warm water to wipe your baby. This will be less irritating to the skin of a newborn than baby wipes. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Let the air dry for a while for the baby’s skin to dry. You can prevent your baby from getting diaper rash by keeping his bottom clean and dry. Wait a little while for your baby’s bottom to dry before putting on a new diaper. If your baby has a red rash, apply diaper rash cream or petroleum jelly (Vaseline cream) before putting on a clean diaper. ^{[6] X Research Source}

If using cloth diapers, you will need to place a disposable absorbent pad in the center of the diaper. The pads will help keep the diaper rash cream from touching the cloth diaper and damaging the diaper.
Some popular diaper rash creams include Aquaphor, Desitin, and Boudreaux’s Butt Paste.

New diaper for baby

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Place a clean diaper underneath the baby. Take the freshly prepared diaper and place the back half of the diaper under the baby’s bottom, the back of the diaper near the waist. If you’re changing a baby boy’s diaper, you should tilt his “little bird” down so that urine can seep into the new diaper. Pull the front half of the diaper over your baby’s tummy. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Don’t let your baby’s legs pinch together, lest the pinched diaper make him uncomfortable. Try to spread your baby’s legs so that the diaper is comfortable.
If you’re changing a newborn’s diaper, use a newborn diaper with space for the umbilical cord, or fold the front part of the diaper down to avoid covering the cord.

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Smooth diapers. One hand holds the front of the diaper in place, the other hand pulls the patches on the sides forward. Attach the patches to the diaper so that the diaper does not slip off. Do not stick too tight. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Check that the diaper is not too tight. If you wrap the diaper tightly, your baby’s skin will turn red or look like it’s tight. You also need to make sure the patch doesn’t stick to your baby’s skin.

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Dress the baby and throw away the dirty diaper. Pull down the overalls and re-fasten or change the baby into a new one and place the baby in a safe place. Roll up the dirty diaper and throw it in the trash. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Roll the dirty diaper by folding the front of the diaper in half toward the back of the diaper to create an almost ball-shaped shape. Place the two stickers in the middle to secure the diaper.

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Hand washing. If you wear gloves, take them off and throw them away. Wash hands with warm water and antibacterial soap. Try to rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Rinse thoroughly and dry your hands.

Using and handling cloth diapers

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Place the diaper underneath the baby. Take the prepared cloth diaper and spread the second half underneath the baby so that it is almost waist-high. If you’re changing a baby boy’s diaper, you can prevent leaks by keeping his “chili pepper” facing down. Pull the front half of the diaper over your baby’s tummy. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Spread your baby’s legs apart so the diaper doesn’t get pinched while you’re putting on the diaper.
If changing diapers for a newborn, be sure to use the smallest diaper size. You may need to fold the diaper down so it doesn’t rub the umbilical cord.

Gather supplies to change diapers

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Choose an area to change the baby’s diaper. You should arrange a place or two to change your baby’s diaper in convenient places in the house. For example, you can place a diaper changing table in your nursery, bedroom, or near the bathroom. If you don’t want to use a diaper changing table, you can easily change your baby’s diaper on a comfortable flat surface (like a bed or floor). Spread the pad on a flat surface to prevent dirt.

Choose convenient areas to change diapers in places where the whole family often spends time.
It’s also a good idea to have a bag or backpack with diapers and diaper changing supplies ready. Place the bag in the diaper changing area for easy preparation and carry when you need to go out.

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Arrange the diaper changing area. In addition to diapers and wet wipes, you probably need a few other things to change your baby’s diaper. Keep things organized and easy to find using compartments, boxes, and small baskets. That way, you’ll know right away where you need what you need.

For example, a basket or drawer for baby pajamas or a pacifier will be helpful if you need to change your baby’s diaper in the middle of the night.

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Stock up on wet diapers and tissues. Newborns may need 8-10 diapers a day, so keep plenty of clean diapers on hand. Store diapers in an easy-to-reach place so you don’t have to leave your baby to pick them up during diaper changes. In addition, you also need to keep wet wipes within reach to wipe your baby. ^{[13] X Research Source}

If you’re constantly adding diapers to your changing table, maybe you should keep a fresh pack of diapers in your room so you never run out.

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Buy diaper rash cream or petroleum jelly. Newborns often have red rashes, so you need to apply diaper rash cream for your baby. Keep the tube of cream in the diaper changing place so you can easily remove it when you see your baby has a red rash. ^{[14] X Research Source}

You should also keep a bottle of diaper rash cream in your baby’s bag for convenient use when going out.

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Find a spot to dispose of dirty diapers. Choose to dispose of diapers or store soiled diapers. For example, if your baby uses diapers, prepare a trash can with a tight-fitting lid. If your baby uses cloth diapers, you can keep the diaper bucket somewhere until it’s time to wash. ^{[15] X Research Source}

You should also keep a bottle of hand sanitizer nearby to quickly wash your hands before going to the bathroom to wash again. Remember to keep it out of the reach of babies.

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Keep distractions nearby. As your baby gets older, you’ll have to focus on other things while changing diapers. Distract your baby with a toy, book, or other object to keep him from grabbing a dirty diaper or struggling during diaper changes. You can put the following near diaper changes: ^{[16] X Research Source}

Thick paper booklets for children
Pacifiers
Toy key set
Rattles

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Have a change of clothes and crib covers available for your baby. If your baby’s diaper is spilled, you’ll have to keep a change of clothes ready. Keep some baby clothes at the changing table just in case. You should also keep a few sheets of crib mattress ready to change in case the old sheets get dirty. ^{[17] X Research Source}

If the diaper changing table has a soft removable cover, you should also have a few extra spares to change if the diaper changing table cover gets dirty.

Advice

Always follow the diaper manufacturer’s instructions for use on the specific product. It has instructions on how to use and wash the diaper.
Distract the baby during diaper changes if he or she starts to get cranky. Have your baby hold a toy or hum a song while changing diapers.
When you take your baby out, bring a few small plastic bags for dirty diapers. Put soiled or wet diapers in a plastic bag and tie it up tightly before throwing it in the trash. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Warning

Never leave your baby alone on a changing table or overhead surface. Even if you just leave for a split second, your baby can roll off the table or bed.
Always wash your hands after handling dirty diapers. Keeping hands clean is the way to prevent the spread of germs. ^{[19] X Research Source}

Steps