Be prepared
There’s nothing like a leaky nappy, or worse, actually getting peed on, to let you know the importance of changing a nappy quickly and effectively! Make life easier by having a changing table or area set up with all the necessities prepared beforehand, including:
- A nappy of your choice (disposable, terry or cloth nappy).
- A comfy, wipeable changing mat if you’re at home, or a spare clean cloth to put under your baby if you’re using a changing table elsewhere.
- Safety pins or fasteners (for cloth nappies).
- Some warm water and cotton balls, a clean washcloth or baby wipes.
- Barrier cream (and nappy rash cream if needed).
Changing a disposable nappy
- Undo your baby’s clothes and pull them up carefully so they don’t get soiled.
- Un-stick the tabs of the nappy and fold them back on themselves (so they don’t stick to your baby!).
- Keeping the nappy in place, use the front of it to wipe away any of your baby’s motion. If your baby’s a boy, cover his penis with a cloth to keep it clean (and avoid getting peed on!).
- Take your baby’s ankles in one hand and lift their bottom off the table, then fold the nappy in half underneath them. It’s a good idea to keep it there just in case there is more to come!
- Clean your baby’s bottom and front with a baby wipe or wet cotton wool ball. For girl babies, wipe from front to back - away from her vagina - to avoid infection.
- Take the dirty nappy away and slide a clean one underneath. The back of the nappy (with the tabs on it) goes under your baby’s bottom, and the front goes between their legs.
- Pull the tabs around baby's waist and fasten snuggly at the front.
- Fold the old nappy up, using the tabs to keep it firmly closed and put it in a nappy bag, or a plastic bag then in the bin.
- Dress your baby and wash your hands.
NOTE! Never leave your baby lying unattended on a change table as they could accidentally roll off if you’re not supervising them.
Changing a non-disposable nappy
Non-disposable nappies come in either a pre-formed shape (usually with built-in fastenings) or flat, foldable terry cloths (which you fasten with a safety pin). There’s not much difference in the way you change your baby when using a disposable compared with a non-disposable, apart from the way they fasten. And, of course, you don’t just throw away a non-disposable; if it’s full; discard the excess of your baby’s motion directly into the toilet, a nappy bag, or plastic bag, before washing.