When they first get here, babies don’t really do much besides eating, sleeping, crying and pooping. As a result, many new parents spend much more of their postpartum period than they imagined changing diapers.
Not all of us care for babies before we have our own, so we thought we’d give you a few quick tips on diaper changes.
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Early in your baby’s life, you might be obsessed with their diaper changes.
Counting diapers, wet and dirty, is one of the ways that we track if babies are eating enough, especially if they’re breastfed. You can use the chart that many hospitals in DC, MD and VA send home. Our doulas prefer Baby Connect or a similar app.
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Crying during diaper changes is normal.
I’m referring to the infant’s not the parents (but you do you, it’s okay to feel your feelings). I figure that it’s probably uncomfortable to suddenly have a breeze on your butt.
For this reason, I don’t recommend changing a diaper after feeding, if you’re trying to get them back down to sleep.
Just talk to your baby, stay calm, and remember that they don’t actually hate you. Also, thankfully, most babies do chill out about changes as they get older.
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Infant poop (before solids) doesn’t look like adult poop.
After the first few days, breastfed baby poop tends to be yellow, wet and (weirdly) seedy. It’s often sweet smelling. Formula fed baby poop tends to be yellow, tan, or brown, and the consistency of peanut butter.
Green can be normal as well. That all sounds strange, but it’s nothing to worry about.
However, we never want to see blood in the stool.
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Point penises downward into the diaper.
There’s nothing quite like having a cuddly moment with a newborn, (when diapers aren’t even on your mind), only to find that his pee has somehow soaked through your clothes.
Ask me how I know.
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Don’t believe that baby boys are the only ones who can make a fountain.
While we’re talking about getting sprayed… Look out! It might be that the shock of the cold air, and the wiggling around now that they’re swaddle free stimulates babies. But all newborns (no matter what’s inside of their diaper) seem to let loose in the middle of changing their diapers.
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One day, you will get pooped and/or peed on.
It’s okay, it comes with the territory. Maybe it will be a surprise blowout, or you’ll forget to have a diaper close by after a bath. You might have a surprise during newborn photos, or it might be during a time when your baby is lounging naked. Or maybe you’ll be fine until they’re a toddler (although that seems worse to me). Just surrender to the process.
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Wipe front to back, forever and always.
This is especially important for vaginas- we don’t want poop to get into any folds. But if you’re having trouble, just wipe all the babies front to back.
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Diaper rash doesn’t have to be a thing.
Some parents use diaper cream at every change to prevent a rash. Others use it only when there’s irritation. Either is fine- the key to preventing diaper rash is to change dirty diapers and keep baby bottoms dry.
If you do see a rash, often changing the little one’s diaper more frequently and applying an ointment or cream resolves it. But if there’s a fever or the rash is getting worse, get in touch with your baby’s healthcare provider.
So there are a few tips, from people who change a lot of diapers. Experienced parents, is there anything you wish you’d known about diaper changes? We’d love to hear them in the comments.
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