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| Photo by Laura Ohlman on Unsplash |
{This is a collaborative post}
Until you become a parent, changing nappies is usually only something that you see other people doing. However, once the baby is born, it dawns on you that you’re also going to have to take up this responsibility, and often!
In this post, we take a look at how to perform the perfect nappy change. Check out our tips and tricks below:
Choose The Right Nappy For You
The type of nappy you choose will have a big impact on your nappy changing experience. Until recently, most modern parents used disposable nappies as these are thought to be easy to change and dispose of. However, environmental concerns now mean that many parents are moving over to cloth nappies as they are better for our earth, as they are reusable, reducing families’ impact on the environment.
Some parents choose to adopt a hybrid approach to nappies: disposable for the first couple of months as their baby is settling in, and then cloth after that. Or maybe disposables when travelling or on holiday/ in daycare and cloth when at home. The choice is, of course, yours.
Stock Up
Before the baby arrives, it’s a good idea to stock up on all the nappies that you need. Many infants need to go to the toilet frequently, maybe once every three hours or so, meaning that you could need as many as eight nappies per day. There is nothing worse than leaving your baby in a wet nappy as they can suffer from nappy rash in even the most modern and absorbent of nappies.
Buying nappies in bulk can save you money, whether you have opted for disposable or cloth nappies. If you’re using cloth, you’ll want at least 30 on standby so that you can keep a regular rotation going and never run out. An efficient rinse and washing system for all the dirty cloth nappies is also essential.
Choose A Decent Changing Mat
When looking for nappy changing mats, choose one that’s durable and that has raised sides to prevent any spillage. There is nothing worse than explosive nappies that end up all over your top. Yes,it has happened to me before!
I always had a few change mats, to be honest, a fold-up one for my change bag, a lightweight one I could put behind the sofa for easy changes downstairs and a nice padded one for after bath time when I'd give my babes a massage and dry them. You want to make sure your baby is comfortable.
Choose Your Nappy-Changing Extras
There are plenty of accessories that you can use for changing your baby’s nappies. These include barrier cream, a moisturiser that prevents nappy rash, nappy grips for cloth nappies that serve as built-in fasteners, and cloth wipes.
Every parent has their own preferences and that is ok, we are all different. I always went for non-scented things and often just for muslin wipes and water as this was kind to my children's sensitive skin. Remember not to buy any antibacterial wipes that contain alcohol though, as these may actually harm your baby.
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| Photo by zelle duda on Unsplash |
Change Your Baby’s Nappy Often
Some babies have particularly delicate skin, meaning that you’ll need to change their nappies immediately after they wee or poo. Check for smells regularly and look out for signs that the nappy is becoming heavy or your baby is uncomfortable. Once every couple of hours should be enough, but every baby is an individual and you'll come to learn your baby's signs and cries in time.
Learn The Basics Of Changing A Nappy
The basics of nappy changing are as follows:
Find a safe space with a mat and all the other changing materials you need within arm’s reach
Keep one hand on your baby’s body at all times to keep them safe and prevent them from rolling off the mat
Learn the techniques for putting on different kinds of nappies, including cloth and disposable varieties
If you have a little boy consider coving his penis with a wipe as soon as you take off the nappy otherwise, you might find he sprinkles straight away as the cold air reaches his penis.
Guard against nappy rash by using high-quality cleaning products and moisturisers that protect your baby’s skin
Clean your baby’s bottom and genitals after each visit to the bathroom, always wiping from front to back so as not to spread bacteria
Allow some time for the air to circulate around the bottom to prevent nappy rash before you put on the new nappy
Avoid using talcum powder as it can create friction