Disposable Diapering - The Logistics

Get as much practice as you can with changing diapers before your baby comes! Watch how other people do it, or even watch videos.

1. If your house has more than one story, set up a diaper changing station on each floor. It’s too hard to run the stairs each time! A small basket with diapers, wipes, Aquaphor, and a waterproof changing pad will do just fine!
2. Have a plan for messy clothing so they're not all stained. Here's mine... Rinse and soak dirty clothing in hot soapy water right away.  If I'm too lazy to go to the laundry room, I just squirt on some dish soap.  Spray on some pre-treating (Shout) spray, then wash ASAP adding Oxyclean to regular detergent. If out and about, use a Shout wipe and put clothing in a plastic bag. Clean as soon as you get home!
3. Pick stinky baby up with caution!  Try not to carry baby by the bottom because that poop has to go somewhere.  If the diaper is full, you risk squishing poo out the sides, back, or even front of the diaper. 
4. Getting started, to see if the diaper is wet, check the wetness indicator line, or see if part of the diaper got fluffy.  To see if it’s dirty, sniff to check for a vinegary smell on breastfed baby’s bottom, or carefully peek in the side. Don’t stick your finger in too deep!!!
5. Get everything ready first. Pull out as many wipes as you think you’ll need. For a dirty diaper, I usually use at least 3.
6. Before removing the old diaper, put the baby down on the fresh diaper. Then you can clean up baby, slide off the old diaper, add product, and close up the new one.  If baby starts to "go" again in the middle of the diaper change, it will go right on the diaper!
7. Advice from a NICU nurse on diaper rash prevention: Use a layer of Aquaphor under a thick layer of the red bottle Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. Thick like old-fashioned sunscreen on your nose. Prevention is best!  (Love that stuff! Smells like a delightful pumpkin pie!)
8. Always check around baby’s thighs to make sure the “gathers” are out.  If they get tucked in, poop can leak out easily.  You can see the gathers pretty well in this picture of my tiny newborn love sleeping on my mom!