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How to change a diaper: A step-by-step guide
Whether you have a toddler or you're a new mama wondering how to change a newborn diaper, we have you covered with a supply list, instructions and insider tips and tricks.
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When you become a parent, you will experience a severe learning curve and need to learn many things along the way. Whether you have a newborn or one on the way, learning what you can now will help save you time later. One of these things is how to change a diaper.
Before having kids, I had never changed a diaper because I was the youngest in my family and never really babysat. I had to learn how to change a baby’s diaper after we got home while recovering after a tough delivery with my first because my husband did all the diaper changes while we were in the hospital. So trust me when I say that being prepared will help as you embark on this journey of dirty diapers—whether you use disposal or go the cloth diapering route.
So if you have a toddler in your home and just need a refresher, or you’re a new mama wondering how to change a newborn diaper, we have you covered with baby diaper instructions below.
How to change a newborn diaper: What you’ll need
1. Diapers of two sizes
While you should have a few newborn-sized diapers, you should also make sure that you have size 1. Your newborn baby will grow fast, so having a size up and ready to go will be invaluable. This change can happen quicker than you realize, and you don’t want to run out of diapers. So whatever style or brand you decide on—natural diapers, a diaper subscription service, or good old Pampers—you’re going to need more than you think you do.
When it comes to safety, sustainability and performance, Healthybaby diapers check all the boxes and then some. As the first (and only) diapers verified by the EWG, they’re setting a new standard in the diaper industry. Their premium, plant-based disposable diapers took three years to develop and are tested for over 900 chemical compounds, assuring parents that they’re the purest on the market. Ordering Healthybaby’s Monthly Diaper Bundle ensures you have a consistent supply of high-quality diapers for your little one and will never run out.
Coterie has upgraded basically every aspect of diapering. Not only have these ultra clean and simple diapers been developed with the highest safety standards, boasting a lengthy list of certifications, but they work to fund renewable energy initiatives, partner with the non-profit Baby2Baby to donate your unused, returned diapers to those in need and are even working to develop a better diaper recycling solution.
A tried and true and most importantly trusted brand by parents for decades, the Pampers line of all natural, plant-based diapers (called Pampers Pure) are extremely breathable and absorbent, keeping your baby’s bum dry and free of diaper rash. Plus, they’re chlorine, fragrance, paraben and latex free! Conveniently, they’re widely available in your local super markets and drug stores or on Amazon!
Wipes are another item you want to be sure not to run out of, and, like all these items, they need to be within reach. There are many options, and not all of them will work for your baby. It is a good idea to start with those for sensitive skin, and then go from there. (Check out our picks for the best eco-friendly and natural baby wipes).
Boasting “cheek to cheek” versatility 🤣, we love The Honest Co.’s wipes for what they don’t have rather than for what they do: no alcohol, chlorine processing, phthalates, parabens, or any other potentially harmful chemical. Honest Wipes are one of our favorites for functionality, too—they’re large, durable, and moist enough to clean even the biggest messes. (They also come in adorable packages that feature their signature prints!) Prices vary.
Great for sensitive skin, these thick, soft wipes offer safe and gentle cleaning for baby’s bottom, hands, and face. They’ve been dermatologist tested and are hypoallergenic, fragrance free, and don’t contain any alcohol or parabens. Prices vary.
You need something soft to change your baby on. This could be a changing pad, blanket, or even a towel. As long as you put it on something safe like a changing table or the floor, you can use whatever soft item you like. Just keep in mind that it may get dirty.
The Skip Hop wipe-clean changing pad tops many lists of “must-haves” for baby—and with good reason. Made with contoured, cushioned foam and a non-skid base that will keep it in place, this changing pad is wipeable and won’t absorb liquids or smells. (Yay!) The Skip Hop pad also has a tuck-away toy bar and safety belt so baby can be distracted and safely secured while you change their diaper. It’s like they thought of everything when designing this thing.
This changing pad from Jool is another highly rated baby item—due to its non-skid grip design and the fact that it’s made with standard dimensions to fit pretty much any changing table. The pad comes with a soft, machine-washable, odor-resistant cover too (which is important, because the chances of it needing to be washed are… well… 1000%).
Stationary changing pads are important, of course, but as we all know, a loooooot of baby’s diaper changes will happen when you’re out of the house, making a portable changing table necessary. (It’s also great to just have this at home in a separate room from the stationary changing pad/table so you have more than one place to change a diaper!) The Lil Fox portable changing pad is a favorite due to its easily opened (single-handed) hook and loop fastener mechanism as well as multiple pockets for diapers, wipes, creams, and whatever else you might need to get the job done. Add in the soft memory-foam headrest and water-proof, wipe-clean fabric, and… well, you see why everyone loves it.
You need somewhere to dispose of the diaper. You could use a fancy diaper pail or a garbage can. It is really up to you. If you decide on cloth diapers, you will need a wet bag to put them in until you wash them.
It won’t grant you 3 wishes, but the Diaper Genie is probably the most magical of all the diaper pails—at least when it comes to smell. With odor-locking clamps, a foot pedal for hands-free operation and convenience, and easy tear-away bags, the Diaper Genie has it all. You do need to use this brand’s unique bags, however, so make sure to add a couple extra refills to your cart now (you’re gonna need them!)
The Ubbi diaper pail costs more than others upfront, but you don’t have to buy special bags if you don’t want to. That’s right—this one works with regular bags just fine (and still blocks odor!) A winner of nine awards proving that parents everywhere love it, the Ubbi pail is different in that it’s made from steel, which is not porous like plastic, so the pail truly traps in odor. And it comes in 15 different colors, so you can find one that fits your nursery decor.
When they’re tiny, you’ll change your baby often, so be sure to have diaper cream on hand. They will probably get a rash, and you will want to be able to soothe it quickly.
Ask veteran parents about what they recommend for diaper rash, and there’s a good chance they’ll tell you to “get the butt paste!” because it works. Boudreaux’s truly heals a sore baby bottom—often on the first application. Free of parabens, dyes, and talc, this one’s a a tried-and-true that’s been around for years, and parents of babies know why.
Earth Mama likes their customers to know exactly what in is in their products—like this diaper balm, made with lavender and tea tree essential oils, St. John’s Wort, chickweed, plantain, and calendula to protect and comfort painful or itchy skin. Gentle and effective, Earth Mama’s Organic Diaper Balm is a safe and smart choice to sooth and comfort your little one. (And pssst! Breastfeeding moms—their nipple butter is ah-mazing too.)
You could use a changing table, a dresser with a contoured changing pad, a bed or the floor. For those early days, it will be helpful to have a place up higher to change your baby. Once they get bigger and start moving around more, you can pretty much change them anywhere that’s safe.
Obviously this one’s a huge investment—but you’re getting two pieces in one. A changing table plus a dresser that will last your kid’s entire childhood (and then some!) This gorg mid-century modern piece would look absolutely stunning in any nursery as well as child’s bedroom long after the changing pad is removed.
This super cute changing table comes in white or gray and includes two open shelves where you can store diapers, wipes, extra clothes, and anything else baby might need. The Adley Changing Table comes with a changing pad and safety strap as well as wheels at the bottom so it’s easily moveable around your home.
Hello Bello is a safe and effective sanitizer to have nearby for anyone who is about to touch the baby—whether that’s you, your partner, your guests, or your other children. Made without synthetic fragrances or artificial dyes, Hello Bello kills germs and keeps skin soft.
The Honest Co. also makes a great sanitizer—this one is in spray form—that will kill germs but be safe around baby. A plant-based sanitizer that effectively kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria, this spray sanitizer is hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested. And it leaves hands clean and soft without a sticky residue. The perfect choice to have by the changing table!
Before you get started, make sure you have all items within reach. Lay your baby down and unfasten the onesie. Slide it up to try to keep it out of the way of any accidents. Put the clean diaper under the dirty one to have it ready. This practice will save you time and help keep the changing area clean.
Unfasten the dirty diaper, fold it and push it closed under your baby’s butt. This practice will get some of the dirty stuff out of the way. Then, clean between all the folds with a wipe.
Step 3: Apply diaper rash cream as needed
If (when) your baby develops a diaper rash, be sure to apply cream each time until it heals. The cream isn’t necessary if there’s no rash present, but it is helpful when there is one.
Step 4: Close it up and stick it
Fully close the diaper, wrap it and stick the tabs to it. This will help everything stay inside when you throw it away. Fasten the tabs on the clean diaper and close up the onesie.
Step 5: Sanitize or wash
If you have hand sanitizer, use it now. If you want to wash your hands, place your baby in a nearby crib or bassinet.
Step 6: Hugs!
Don’t forget the after-changing cuddles!
Tips and tricks to changing a diaper
How to change a newborn diaper
When you have a newborn, they will go through diapers often. It’s usually about 10 diapers daily, so be sure you’re changing them often enough. The color of poop will also change from green to more yellow-green. Some red is also common in the first few days but still contact your doctor.
When changing a newborn, you must also be careful of the umbilical cord stump. Be sure to fold the diaper down a bit, so it’s not on top of this stump. If you’re using newborn diapers, these are usually cut to accommodate the stump, but your baby may need to go up in size before the stump falls off.
For girls, make sure you’re wiping front to back to avoid infections. You should also clean between the folds of the skin gently.
Diaper changing tips for boys
Many moms have a problem getting peed on by boys, so cover the penis with another diaper or cloth to keep pee from flying in the air. When you close the diaper, the penis should be pointing down, which can also help prevent leaks.
Diaper changing tips for toddlers
Once you’re out of the newborn stage, you will need to deal with a wiggly toddler. You can entertain them with a song, talk or give them a toy while changing their diapers. You can also have them help by collecting supplies for you. If you are changing a diaper with just pee, some parents rely on changing the diaper while their toddler is standing up.
There’s so much stuff to learn as a new parent, but you can prepare well for diaper changes ahead of time. Knowing how to put a diaper on a baby is a key parenting skill. The steps above will help you understand how before you bring your baby home.
A version of this article was published November 28, 2022. It has been updated.
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