How to Change a Baby Diaper – Expert Video Tutorials

Diapering a baby can sound intimidating and complex if you’re a new parent. And yes, there are quite a few dangerous infections and diseases babies can get if one doesn’t change a diaper the right way.

Luckily, there are many experts who share tips online on baby diapering.
With a little practice you’ll find it’s easy to correctly change a baby’s diaper and keep your baby dry, clean, and safe.

Below are tips and info on baby diapering as well as videos showing how to change a baby’s diaper.

In this baby diapering video by Eugene Pediatric Associates,  Dr. B shows how to change a baby diaper correctly.

In this baby diapering tutorial, a famous Youtube mommy shows you how she diapers her baby and shares baby diapering tips.

In this video by Bundoo, you’ll learn about what happens if you diaper your baby the wrong way and how to detect a common diaper disease before it becomes serious. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd2eP64SbI0

Should I wake my baby to change the diaper at night?

Yes, if the baby diaper is full, you need to change it even if that means waking up your baby.

When should I change my baby’s diaper?

Change your baby every 2 hours to keep your baby healthy and clean. Whenever you smell a full diaper, change it immediately, even if it’s just a few minutes after changing your baby’s diaper.

Is Not Changing my Baby’s Diaper Dangerous?

Yes, it is. Dangers of leaving a wet diaper on too long include the following:

• Bladder infections. If you leave a pooped up diaper on too long, the poo could enter the baby’s urinary tract and cause a bladder infection. Especially for girls, one needs to keep poo as far away from the vagina as possible.
• Severe diaper rash. Your baby could develop severe diaper rash which hurts, itches, and burns your poor baby. Diaper rashes cause babies to scream and cry.
• Yeast infections. Both baby girls and baby boys can develop Yeast infections. Yeast grows in wet areas, feeding on moisture. A yeast infection is caused by a dirty or wet diaper being left too long. If your baby has a Yeast infection, you’ll need to visit your doctor and avoid using wet wipes on your baby’s bum.
• Staph infection. A Staph infection is a very serious bacterial infection which requires medical care. Staph infections are caused by bacteria (from poo) getting into a sore or a cut. Small cuts and scrapes and even something simple like a diaper rash can get infected if you leave the dirty diaper on too long.
• Chafing. Babies have soft, delicate skin and when a tight diaper constantly rubs against their skin, it can cause painful chafing. Even toddlers get chafing from their diapers.

How Often should I Change Baby Diaper at Night?

Baby diapers should be changed every 2 to 3 hours during the day and at least once a night. Usually, a baby will wake up crying from a full diaper which is a good time for you to go and change him/her. Even if you have super-absorbent nighttime diapers, your baby will still be at risk from all the aforementioned rashes and infections if you leave your baby in a full diaper all night long.

Some moms recommend to use a warm baby wipe at night, because your baby won’t be as wide awake like when you use a cold wipe on his/her bum. 

What is Diaper Rash?

Diaper rash causes your baby’s bottom to become red, itchy, and painful. Diaper rash is caused by keeping a wet/full diaper on too long. 

How to Prevent Diaper Rash

Change your baby’s diapers regularly, and after every poo.

If your baby already has a diaper rash, you’ll want to change the diapers after your baby pees as well. Leaving on a wet diaper, causes the acidic urine to burn your baby’s bum.

Before tying on a new diaper, wipe your baby’s bum with baby wipes to clean the area from germs and urine/feces.
Sometimes baby wipes aren’t enough. If your baby made a big dump and is all coated in poo, wash your baby and clean him/her with soap. Wipe your baby’s butt gently to not aggravate his/her delicate skin.

Some babies are allergic to certain diaper brands and only develop diaper rash when wearing a diaper from that brand. If the rash is not caused by leaving on a wet diaper for too long, then try a different diaper brand.

How to Heal Diaper Rash

• Apply a baby diaper ointment on your baby’s skin to act as a barrier against moisture and heal the rash. 
• Lay your baby on top of diapering clothes and let your baby go undiapered for part of the day so his/her bum can dry and air out.
  (To avoid baby boys spraying you with pee, lay a cloth over the penis when laying the baby on his back.)
• If you use cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers, wash them with natural detergents free of dye, fragrances, and chemicals which could agitate your baby’s skin. 

Baby Diapering Tips

Always wash your hands well with soap after changing a baby’s diaper to prevent spreading germs and getting sick.

Baby diapers are very stinky. If you’re using disposable diapers, empty your garbage bin out multiple times per day or the stink will become unbearable and bacteria will start festering.

If a baby has red marks around their legs and waist, that means you tied the diaper is too strong. Tie the next diaper a bit looser.
A tight diaper hurts your baby. Another reason that your baby might have marks on their legs and waist is that the diaper is to small and your baby needs to have the next size diaper.

If you’re diapering a baby boy, arrange his penis in a downward position before wrapping him in a new diaper to prevent pee leaking out from the top of the diaper.

What are the Cheapest Baby Diaper Brands?

Luvs is the cheapest brand of baby diapers, closely followed by Pampers and Huggies.

Read more about baby diapering on KidsHealth.org

Go here to read how to get free baby diapers and baby stuff.