Tips on how to change your baby's diaper

Here is an invaluable guide on how to change your baby? Your newborn goes through up to 12 nappies every single day! In fact, it can start to feel like a never-ending cycle.

It’s important to check every so often if your little one’s nappy is dirty or wet, and change her if it is. You should also change her into a clean nappy before she goes to sleep at night, and first thing in the morning.

This may all sound a bit daunting, especially as your wriggling little bundle just won’t stay still, but never fear, here are some helpful tips to make it easier and help you get used to it.

What you’ll need

• A changing mat and towel

• Nappies (check your baby’s weight to find the right size)

• Cotton wool or baby wipes (sensitive wipes are best for newborn babies)

• A bowl of warm water

• A small towel or a flannel to dry your baby’s bottom (a cloth nappy can do)

• Nappy sacks

• Something to divert her attention - a toy, a fun mobile or even a song from you

• A change of clothing in case her nappy has leaked (or she urinates while you’re changing her)

Step-by-step guide

Getting to grips with it all

1. Make sure you have everything you need at hand before you start, as it’s dangerous to leave her on her own on a changing table.

2. Plastic changing mats are cold, so put a towel (or cloth nappy) on the mat before changing your baby to keep her comfortable.

3. There’s no need to completely undress your baby, just slip off her trousers or the bottom of her sleep suit, open her vest and pull the rest of her clothes up out of the way, so they don’t get dirty.

4. Undo the dirty nappy, lift your baby’s legs by holding her ankles (put a finger between them to stop them rubbing), fold up the dirty nappy and put it to one side. Clean any poo from skin - don’t forget inside her leg creases and wipe downwards, away from her body - with a clean wipe or damp cotton wool.

5. If you have a little boy, clean under the testicles and penies, but don’t pull back the foreskin. Wipe your baby girl’s genital area from front to back.

6. Leave her nappy off for some minutes, so some fresh air can get to her skin. She’ll love it if your kiss or tickle her tummy while she lies there.

7. Fold open a new nappy with the adhesive tabs on the top. Slide the nappy underneath your baby while lifting her legs and align the top of the nappy with her waist.

8. Bring up the front of the nappy between her legs. The leg cuffs at the back, which stop wee leaking out of the bottom of the nappy, must be pulled out.

Most nappies have coloured front panels, so it’s easy to tell if you’ve got them the right way around. There should also be small marks on the sides to help you line up the tabs.

9. Line one of the unpeeled tabs with the mark on the front panel and press it down gently. Do the same on the other side, keeping the nappy tight, but still loose enough for air to get through.

10. If your baby is older, you can leave the front panel of the nappy as it is, as modern nappies are designed to move with your baby. For your newborn, you’ll need to fold down the front of the nappy, so that her cord stump doesn’t get irritated and is exposed to the air.

11. Make sure you put our baby somewhere safe while you dispose of the dirty nappy, and be sure to wash your hands.

12. Unless your baby has a dirty nappy or is very wet, it’s not necessary to change her during the night. If you do have to change her, keep the lighting dim and change her quickly and quietly, as this will encourage her to go back to sleep.

Ouch, that hurts!

Nappy rash is caused by the bacteria on your baby’s skin breaking down urine to create ammonia, which is toxic and burns.

Your baby is more likely to get nappy rash if she’s left in a wet or dirty nappy for too long. It can also develop if your baby has very sensitive skin. It generally occurs around her genital area, in the folds of her thighs or around her bottom.

The most effective cure for nappy rash is to change your baby’s nappy often to keep her clean and dry. Air also speeds up the healing process, so it’s good to leave her without a nappy or as often and as long as you can.

It’s best to clean her bottom with cotton wool and warm water-soap and wipes may inflame sore skin even more. The pharmacist will also be able to recommend creams for nappy rash, but if it persists for more than three days, see a doctor.