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Health Information For Parents
New parents spend a lot of time changing diapers. Indeed, babies may use 10 diapers a day or more.
Diaper changing might seem complicated at first. But with a little practice, you’ll find that keeping your baby clean and dry is easy.
Before you begin, gather a few supplies:
Make sure your supplies are all within reach. Babies should never be left unattended, even for a second. Even newborns can surprise parents with their ability to roll.
Using the wet washcloth, cotton balls, or baby wipes, gently wipe your baby clean from the front to the back (never wipe from back to front, especially on girls, or you could spread the bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections). You might want to lift your baby’s legs by the ankles to get underneath. Don’t forget the creases in the thighs and buttocks.
For boys, keep a clean diaper over the penis during changing because exposure to air often causes boys to urinate — on you, the walls, or anything else within range.
Once you’ve finished wiping, pat your baby dry with a clean washcloth and apply diaper ointment.
If you’re using disposable diapers:
Here are a few extra tips to keep in mind:
Most parents choose disposable diapers because of their convenience. But some parents opt for cloth diapers, which can be more affordable (if you wash them yourself). Some believe that cloth diapers are more environmentally friendly, but there’s some debate over whether this is actually true.
Cloth diapers come in many shapes and sizes. Traditional cloth diapers usually come prefolded or in a square and require pinning. More modern types are fitted or contoured like disposable diapers, and come with Velcro closures or snaps. Other cloth-diapering accessories include absorbent liners (some are flushable), diaper doublers for extra protection at night, and diaper covers to help prevent leaks.
If you’re using traditional cloth diapers, there are several ways to fasten them. One of the more commonly used ways is the triangular fold:
Another method is the rectangular fold, which is similar to the fold of disposable diapers:
Here are some tips to keep in mind when using cloth diapers:
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 gets worse, call your health care provider. Also let your provider know if your baby has a fever with the rash or if the rash seems painful, is bright red, or has blisters.
To prevent and help heal diaper rash, keep these tips in mind:
Once you have these basics down, you’ll be a diapering pro in no time!
If you’re a first-time parent, put your fears aside and get the basics in this guide about burping, bathing, bonding, and other baby-care concerns.
Diaper rash is a very common infection that can cause a baby’s skin to become sore, red, scaly, and tender. In most cases, it clears up with simple changes in diapering.
Diaper rash is a common skin condition in babies. In most cases, the condition clears up quickly with a few simple changes.
Here’s a quick guide to an important part of feeding a baby – burping.
Cutting your little one’s nails can be a bit scary. Here’s how to do it safely.
Once a baby arrives, it can seem as if the laundry doubles! Many parents think they need to use baby detergent to clean their baby’s clothes, but in most cases, this isn’t necessary.
These guidelines on breastfeeding and bottle feeding can help you know what’s right for you and your baby.