Complete Guide to Diapering Baby

Changing diapers can seem like a full-time job. Just as you finish wrapping your baby in a clean diaper, she fills it again.

Learn how to change disposable or cloth diapers, step-by-step. Wondering how to prevent diaper rash? Find out what diaper rash looks like, how to prevent it, and how to treat it. Plus, learn the basics of baby poop, from color to frequency.

Boys vs. Girls

Changing a Girl

First, lift her legs with one hand and remove any poop with a wet washcloth. (Many new moms use baby wipes on their newborns with no problem. If your child’s skin reacts to the chemicals in wipes, you can use a washcloth or cotton balls and plain water when cleaning baby’s derriere during the first few weeks.) Using one area of the cloth at a time, clean inside all the creases, wiping downward. To clean the genital area, wipe from the vagina toward the rectum. Do not pull the labia back to clean inside. Dry the area with a soft cloth. Apply ointment around the genitals and on the buttocks to prevent diaper rash.

Changing a Boy

One big difference for boys: Don’t leave the penis exposed — keep it covered with a diaper or you may get sprayed. Clean under the testicles, gently pushing them out of the way. Wipe under the penis and over the testicles, toward the rectum. If he’s uncircumcised, do not attempt to pull back the foreskin. Dry the area with a soft cloth. Apply ointment around the genitals and on the buttocks to prevent diaper rash.

If you had your baby circumcised, a light dressing of gauze and petroleum jelly was placed over the head of the penis. The penis will take about one week to heal. The tip will look red, and a yellow scab may appear, or you may notice a yellow secretion. For a few days, apply petroleum jelly over the tip of the penis every time you change your baby’s diaper. Circumcision sites rarely become infected, but if the redness persists beyond a week, or you see swelling or crusted yellow sores that contain fluid, call your baby’s doctor.

Cloth VS Disposable Diapers

Cloth or disposable diapers? Does the decision make you want to throw in the changing pad? Like almost all parenting choices, the right one is what feels best for you and your child. You can stick to whichever one of the two types of diapers that work with your lifestyle or you can alternate — a cloth baby diaper, say, when you’re home and disposable baby diapers when you’re out and about. For the pros and cons of cloth and disposable diapers, read on:

Cloth Diapers

Pros

Available in cotton, terry cloth, or flannel, a cloth baby diaper can come either as prefolded pieces of cloth liners or as an all-in-one (a diaper and cover that looks similar to a disposable diaper). Unless you’re using a diaper service (which rents out cloth diapers, washes them, and delivers clean ones to your door for about $3,500 a year), cloth diapers will save you money — you’ll spend about $300 during your child’s diaper-wearing years versus the $2,000 you’d spend on disposable baby diapers for the same amount of time. And if you’re worried about the dyes and gels used in disposables, then using a cloth baby diaper is a more natural way of baby diapering. Plus, the fact that these types of diapers are less absorbent than disposables means more diaper changes (a con), but it may mean fewer diaper rashes in the long run (a pro!). Another plus: It may be easier to start potty training because kids will notice they’re wet sooner, which can be an incentive to get into underpants.

Cons

Cloth diapers can be messy — although some come with disposable liners that make them easier to clean — and they’re more cumbersome to change, unless you use the all-in-ones (which are more expensive). You’ll be doing more laundry, too — probably two to three extra loads per week — and that means higher water and electricity bills. And unless you’re using disposables when you’re out, you’ll probably have to carry a few poopy (and smelly!) diapers back home with you.

Disposable Diapers

Pros

They’re convenient and a cinch to change, thanks to the strips attached to the back panel that fasten in front. Pick a size based on your baby’s weight and age for best fit. Traveling is easier, too, because you can just toss dirty diapers without having to cart them back home. What’s more, you’ll be changing fewer diapers a day since disposable baby diapers are ultra-absorbent, have an inner liner that keeps wetness away from the skin, and don’t tend to leak.

Cons

Although there have been no studies that show that the chemicals (like dioxin), dyes, and gels used in disposables cause harm, some parents might be leery of all that stuff next to their baby’s bottom — and some babies can have an allergic reaction to these types of diapers. Another con: If you pull too hard, the tabs on some disposables can easily rip (and inevitably it’ll happen when you’re on the run and have only one diaper left!). Also, disposable baby diapers aren’t the greenest way to manage your baby’s BM — disposables account for 3.4 million tons of landfill waste per year and don’t decompose (since very little breaks down in a landfill, biodegradable or not). The ultra-absorbency in disposables can also make potty training harder: Because toddlers are less likely to feel wet and uncomfortable, they don’t have much desire (or interest) to say bye-bye to diapers.

How to Change a Disposable Diaper

Whether you’re using a conventional disposable diaper or a more earth-friendly option, the basic method for changing a dirty one is the same. Here’s a suggested series of steps to get you started.

In time, you may modify those steps and develop your own preferred method – which you’ll be able to do in a darkened room while half asleep.

Preparation

• Wash and dry your hands, or clean them with hand sanitizer or a baby wipe.
• Set up a warm, clean area to change your baby. If you’re not using a changing table, consider laying a blanket, towel, or changing mat on the floor or bed.
• Grab your supplies, including a clean diaper and plenty of wipes or wet cloths. For babies with sensitive skin, you can use lukewarm water and cut-up paper towels (use thick ones) or washable cloth baby wipes (you can buy or make these). If your baby is prone to diaper rash, keep rash cream or petroleum jelly on hand.

Safety note: If you change your baby on an elevated surface such as a changing table or bed, be sure to keep one hand on your baby at all times. Most changing tables have a strap you can use to secure your baby. Whether your baby is strapped in or not, don’t leave your baby unattended for even a second. Babies at any age can squirm off the table when you least expect it.

Diaper Change

1. Open up a new clean diaper and place the back half (the half with tabs on either side) under your baby. The top of the back half should come up to your baby’s waist. Now the clean diaper is ready to go – and is there to protect your changing table from getting dirty. (If your baby’s dirty diaper is a big mess, you might want to lay a cloth, towel, or disposable pad under your baby instead of the clean diaper while you clean up your baby.)
2. Unfasten the tabs on the dirty diaper. To prevent them from sticking to your baby, fold them over.
3. Pull down the front half of the dirty diaper. If your baby is a boy, you might want to cover his penis with a clean cloth or another diaper so he doesn’t pee on either of you.
4. If there’s poop in the diaper, use the front half of the diaper to wipe the bulk of it off your baby’s bottom.
5. Fold the dirty diaper in half under your baby, clean side up. (This provides a layer of protection between the clean diaper and your baby’s unclean bottom.) To do this, you’ll need to lift your baby’s bottom off the table by grasping both ankles with one hand and gently lifting upward.
6. Clean your baby’s front with a damp baby wipe, cloth, or gauze. If your baby’s a girl, wipe from front to back (toward her bottom). This helps keep bacteria from causing an infection.
7. If your baby pooped, grab another wipe and clean her bottom. You can either lift her legs or roll her gently to one side then the other. Be sure to clean in the creases of your baby’s thighs and buttocks, too.
8. Let your baby’s skin air dry for a few moments or pat it dry with a clean cloth. To help treat or prevent diaper rash, you may want to apply rash cream or petroleum jelly. (The best defense against diaper rash is a dry bottom, achieved through regular diaper checks and changes.)
9. Remove the dirty diaper and set it aside. If you followed step one, the clean one should be underneath your baby, ready to go.
10. Pull the front half of the clean diaper up to your baby’s tummy. For a boy, be sure to point the penis down so he’s less likely to pee over the top of the diaper.
11. If your baby is a newborn, avoid covering the umbilical cord stump until it’s dried and fallen off. You can buy special disposable diapers with a notch cut out for the stump or fold down the front half of a regular diaper.
12. Make sure that the part of the diaper between your baby’s legs is spread as wide as seems comfortable. Too much bunching in that area can cause chafing and discomfort.
13. Fasten the diaper at both sides with the tabs. The diaper should be snug but not so tight that it pinches. Make sure the tabs aren’t sticking to your baby’s skin.
14. All changed!
15. Dress your baby and put her in a safe place – like on the floor with a toy or in her crib – while you clean up the diaper changing area.
16. Dump any poop into the toilet, if possible. Fold up the dirty diaper and fasten it closed with its tabs, then put it in the trash or diaper pail. If it’s flushable or compostable, dispose of it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
17. Wash your hands thoroughly, or use hand sanitizer if you can’t get to a sink. That’s it, you’re done!

Diapering Tips

• Change diapers frequently to avoid diaper rash. It’s especially important to change poopy diapers as soon as possible, since they can cause diaper rash quickly.
• Learn about the difference between regular diaper rash and yeast diaper rash, since they need to be treated differently.
• Keep distractions handy. If your baby fusses during changes, secure an engaging mobile over the changing area, hang pictures or mirrors to look at, or give your baby a small toy to play with while you take care of business.
• Stock up on diapers so you don’t run out. Newborns can wet as many as eight to ten diapers a day.
• Some disposable diapers for young babies have a wetness indicator on them – a line that turns color if the diaper is wet. This isn’t necessary, but it can be a convenient way to tell at a glance if it’s time for a change.
• If poop keeps leaking out the top back of your baby’s diaper, it may be time to go up a size. The weights noted on diaper packaging are just guidelines, and your baby may need a bigger size sooner.
• When you leave home, carry some extra plastic or biodegradable bags with you so you have somewhere to put dirty diapers if there’s nowhere to dispose of them. (Get our full list of diaper bag essentials.)

Diaper changes offer a chance for some special one-on-one time. Talk and sing to your baby, pointing out the different parts of your baby’s body and explaining what you’re doing. Once your baby is cleaned up, try a few simple songs like “Itsy Bitsy Spider” or “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.” Play a bit of peekaboo or patty-cake, and share a kiss before you wrap up.

How to Change a Cloth Diaper

These instructions show how to change a basic type of cloth diaper: an interior diaper, made of cloth, and a separate waterproof cover that goes over it. (There are many other types of cloth diapers, too. The same basic directions can be used for other cloth diapering options – just substitute your diaper of choice for what we describe here.)

While there’s no one right way to change a cloth diaper, here are a suggested series of steps to get you started. In time, you may modify the steps and develop your own preferred method – which you’ll be able to do in a darkened room while half-asleep.

Preparation

• Wash and dry your hands, or clean them with hand sanitizer or a baby wipe.
• Set up a warm, clean area to change your baby. If you’re not using a changing table, consider laying a blanket, towel, or changing mat on the floor or bed.

Assemble your supplies

• Clean diaper
• Clean diaper cover, in case the one your baby’s wearing got dirty
• Diaper fastener (Snappi and Boingo are popular brands) or safety pins
• Cloth wipes, baby washcloths, or disposable wipes for cleaning your baby. (Dampen the cloth or washcloth with warm water or a homemade solution of warm water and a little liquid soap.)
• Dry wipe or washcloth, to dry your baby if you won’t be letting your baby air-dry

Diaper Change

1. Lay out the clean diaper. (Some types of cloth diapers need to be folded first.)
2. Unfasten the diaper cover your baby’s wearing and bring down the front part of the cover.
3. Unfasten the dirty diaper and pull down the front half. If your baby is a boy, you might want to cover his penis with a clean cloth or another diaper so he doesn’t pee on either of you.
4. If there’s poop in the diaper, use the front half of the diaper to wipe the bulk of it off your baby’s bottom.
5. Fold the dirty diaper in half under your baby, clean side up. (This provides a layer of protection between the clean changing surface and your baby’s unclean bottom.) To do this, lift your baby’s bottom off the table by grasping both ankles with one hand and gently lifting upward.
6. Clean your baby’s front with a wet cloth or wipe. If your baby’s a girl, wipe from front to back (toward her bottom) to help keep bacteria from causing an infection.
7. If your baby pooped, grab another wipe and clean his bottom. You can either lift his legs or roll him gently to one side then the other. Be sure to clean in the creases of your baby’s thighs and buttocks.
8. If you have time, let your baby’s skin air dry. Otherwise pat dry with a clean cloth. If necessary, apply a rash cream that works with cloth diapers.
9. Remove the dirty diaper and, if it got soiled, the diaper cover. Set them aside.
10. Place the clean diaper underneath your baby so that the back edge is in line with your baby’s waist.
11. Pull the front half up to your baby’s tummy. If your child is a boy, be sure to point his penis down so he’s less likely to pee over the top of the diaper.
12. For newborns, position your baby so the back of the diaper is higher than the front: You don’t want the fabric to irritate the umbilical cord stump. Many newborn diapers and diaper covers have a snap- or fold-down area for the cord.
13. Make sure that the part of the diaper between your baby’s legs is spread as wide as seems comfortable. Too much bunching in that area can cause chafing and discomfort.
14. Fasten the cloth diaper. Some come with built-in snaps or tabs. Prefold and flat diapers, which you fold yourself, require fasteners or pins. Be sure the diaper is snug but not so tight that it pinches.
15. Once the clean diaper is on, place the outer cover over it. (You’ll either reuse the cover your baby was wearing before or, if it got dirty, replace it with a clean one.) Fasten the cover with its tabs or snaps.
16. All changed!
17. Dress your baby and put him in a safe place, like on the floor with a toy or in his crib.
18. Dump as much of the poop from the diaper and cloth wipes or washcloths into the toilet as you can. (Poop from formula or solids isn’t water soluble and won’t rinse away in the washing machine. Poop from an exclusively breastfed baby, on the other hand, is water soluble and doesn’t require rinsing.) A diaper sprayer – similar to a kitchen sink sprayer that attaches to the toilet – is a useful tool for getting as much poop into the toilet as possible. You can also swish the diaper and cloths in a clean toilet bowl. Put the dirty diaper and wipes – and dirty cover, if there is one – in your diaper pail or hanging wet bag.
19. Wash your hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer if you can’t get to a sink. That’s it – you’re done!

Cloth Diapering 101

If you’re considering cloth diapers for your darling’s delicate bottom but you’re not quite sure which end is up, don’t worry — this guide’s got you covered. Here are the cloth-diapering basics that’ll help you figure out the right fit… for both of you.

Maybe you’re interested in cloth diapers because you want to reduce your “garbage footprint” or maybe you’re not wild about the long list of ingredients in disposable diapers. Whatever your reason, one thing is certain: It’s likely you could use a little help figuring out which cloth diapers to choose and how to use them. So, if you need to get savvy on cloth-diapering basics before your baby arrives, you can study up with this handy cheat sheet on green options for that tiny tush. Here’s a little cloth-diapering 101:

Flats and Prefolds

These plain pieces of cotton fabric are similar to the diapers your grandma (or great-grandma) used on her critters. They may look simple to use, but diapering a baby with one of these no-frill nappies takes some cloth-diapering 101 know-how (and quite a few cloth diaper accessories): You need to fold the square or rectangular cloth just so to fit your baby’s bottom, fasten it with separate snaps or pins (not so easy when you’ve got a wiggler on your hands), then cover it with a waterproof diaper cover to avoid leaks.

Contoured Cloth Diapers

Contoured diapers have an hourglass shape that’s meant to fit your baby’s bum better. Like flats and prefolds, you still have to fasten them with separate snaps or pins and layer your cutie’s diapered derriere with a waterproof cover.

Fitted Cloth Diapers

Fitted diapers look a bit like cloth versions of the disposable kind and have built-in snaps, hooks, or Velcro (instead of sticky tabs) to fasten them around your tot’s tush.

All-In-One Cloth Diapers

All-in-ones have elastic around the waist and legs, built-in snaps, hooks, or Velcro to fasten them, and come in cute colors and designs. Plus, there’s no need for a separate cover because the waterproof material is sewn right over the absorbent cloth lining on the inside of these cloth diapers (that’s why they’re called all-in-ones).

Pocket Diapers

Like all-in-ones, pocket diapers have an inner cloth lining and a waterproof outer lining (so no need for a separate cover), but there’s a separate piece of fabric that you insert into the pocket of the diaper’s inner lining.

All-In-Twos

These diapers are very similar to pocket diapers, except the diaper insert goes directly against your sweetie’s skin (you either snap or lay it in). That way, you can simply change out the insert instead of changing the entire diaper.

Doublers and Liners

Cloth doublers are fabric inserts that provide extra protection at night, no matter which type of cloth diaper you’re using (even pocket diapers). Liners are biodegradable, flushable sheets of paper that fit any type of cloth diaper.

The Lowdown on Washing Cloth Diapers

Not sure of the best method when it comes to washing cloth diapers? Here’s how to get the job done with minimal mess.

New parents might question committing to cloth diapers for fear of excessive dirty work. But washing cloth diapers can be easier (and less messy) than you think. While there are several ways to launder your loads, the dry-pail system described below is fairly foolproof (even for the most sleep-deprived new mama) — and it beats the wet-pail system (in which you soak the diapers in a pail of water before you toss them in the washer) since it really cuts down on smells.

Dry-Pail System How-Tos

Fill the pail

Plop any solid poop into the toilet and put the dirty diapers, along with any wet (pee-pee) ones, into a dry pail with a waterproof cloth liner (you can find them anywhere cloth diapers are sold). To keep stink to a minimum, sprinkle a little baking soda or a drop of essential oil on the diapers, or place a deodorant disc at the bottom of the pail.

Empty the Liner into the Washer

When you’ve collected enough dirty diapers for a full load in your washer (without overloading it), remove the liner from the pail and empty it into the washer. Throw the liner into the wash, too.

Rinse the Dirty Diapers

The first “cleansing” step of washing cloth diapers is a cold soak or rinse cycle. (Running a hot cycle first will bake stains in, which you definitely don’t want.) You can leave the diapers soaking in the cold water for as long as you want — even overnight — or you can move directly on to the wash cycle.

Wash the Dirty Diapers

Now that they’ve been through a cold rinse, wash the cloth diapers in hot water. Remember to add detergent first, but only about ¼ to ½ of the suggested amount. This will avoid residue buildup, which can make cloth diapers smell, reduce their absorbency, shorten their lifespan, and irritate your baby’s bottom. Throw in a bit of baking soda to whiten the fabric and keep things smelling fresh. Only run one hot cycle — more may damage the cloth.

Rinse Again

Run another rinse cycle to make sure there’s no leftover detergent. You can also add a half-cup of distilled white vinegar at this point to help break down detergent residue (just remove any all-in-one diapers or covers, because the acid can damage their waterproof layers). A good way to tell you’ve gotten all the soap out: Look at the inside of your washing machine after the second rinse. If you see soapsuds, run another rinse cycle and use less detergent next time.

Give Them the Sniff Test

After the second rinse, your baby’s cloth diapers should smell fresh and clean. If you get a whiff of pee or poop, run another rinse cycle.

Hang ’em up

Not only is line drying great for green families looking to save on energy bills, but it can also extend diaper life. If you don’t have the space to line dry, tumble dry the diapers according to the diaper brand’s instructions.

Washing Cloth Diaper Covers

Diaper covers need less washing than diapers do — but definitely wash them when they start to smell or when your little one’s had a blowout. Follow the washing instructions on each cover’s label. Depending on the fabric and brand, you may be able to wash and dry your covers together with your diapers.

If you’ve got wool diaper covers, hand-wash them in cool water with a wool wash containing lanolin. Lanolin is the natural substance in wool that wicks away water, so if you strip it away, you’ll end up with leaky diapers. After you’ve washed the covers, wring out the excess water and hang them up to dry.

Detergent Dos and Don’ts

Don’ts

• Don’t use harsh detergents. Avoid any with whitening or brightening enzymes, bleach, or pure soap, as they can shorten diaper life, irritate your sweetie’s sensitive baby skin, and damage the waterproof capabilities of all-in-ones and covers.
• Don’t use fabric softeners. They’ll actually reduce diaper absorbency.

Do

• Do go fragrance-free. The fewer fragrances and dyes, the smaller the risk of detergent-induced diaper rash.
• Do read labels. Even if a detergent says “natural” on the box, always check the ingredient list to make sure it’s free of whitening enzymes, dyes, fabric softeners, fragrances, and bleach.

Helpful Tips

Nighttime Strategies

When your baby wakes up in the middle of the night, what should you do first — feed her or change her? Most hungry newborns want to be fed immediately and won’t take kindly to a quick diaper change first. But if you wait until your baby is satisfied, you’ll wake her up when she would otherwise be on her way to dreamland. Compromise is the obvious solution: Change her halfway through the feeding (though breastfed babies may have another bowel movement afterward). If, miraculously, your baby doesn’t wake up at night, she can sleep in a wet diaper as long as you change it first thing in the morning. The exception: If your baby has diaper rash, you need to change her whenever she’s wet, even at night.

The Wiggly Baby

Starting at around six to nine months of age, your baby will not want to sit still for a moment — especially not for a boring diaper change. To prevent changing sessions from turning into wrestling matches, distract your squirmy one with a favorite song or a toy he can touch and mouth (preferably brought out only for this purpose). Placing a mobile over the changing table may also keep him busy. At this age, though, many parents ditch the changing table in favor of the floor.

Your Changing Table

A changing table isn’t a necessity. You can buy a pad that adapts to a dresser top, or opt for the bed. One advantage of a changing table: It’s a handy place to store all the stuff you’ll use to keep your baby clean and comfortable.

• Baby soap or bath liquid
• Baby shampoo
• Baby cornstarch
• Diaper rash ointment
• Petroleum jelly
• Diaper wipes
• Sterile cotton balls
• Baby nail scissors or clippers
• Baby brush and comb
• Cotton swabs
• Square cloth diapers, for burping and cleaning spit-up
• Bulb syringe for cleaning nasal congestion

Preventing Diaper Rash

It’s common for babies to have some diaper rash. But if the rash happens often, lasts for more than 2 or 3 days, or is getting worse, it may be time to call your doctor. Also let the doctor know if your child has a fever with the rash or if the rash seems painful, bright red, or has blisters.

To prevent and help heal diaper rash, keep these tips in mind:

• Change diapers frequently, as well as soon after bowel movements. Clean the area gently. Wiping vigorously or rubbing can further irritate the rash.
• Use a diaper ointment to prevent and heal rashes. Look for one with zinc oxide, which acts as a barrier against moisture. A&D ointment is also soothing for minor rashes.
• Let your baby go undiapered for part of the day, laying your little one on top of a few diapering cloths. (If you have a boy, place another cloth diaper over his penis when he’s on his back so he doesn’t spray you.)
• If you use cloth diapers, wash them in dye- and fragrance-free detergents, and avoid drying them with scented drying sheets.
• Once you have these basics down, you’ll be a diapering pro in no time!