Robert Dracker, M.D., is the founder and medical director of Summerwood Pediatrics and Infusacare Medical Services, established in 1993.
Robert Dracker, M.D. Pediatrics Updated: Apr 4, 2022, 1:12pm Have a question we may not have answered?Ask our editors here
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The first days of your newborn’s life, though full of joy, are also full of the same handful of tasks. The weeks go by in a blur of feedings, lost sleep and countless diaper changes. Diapering may seem simple but many new parents find the task surprisingly difficult. Infants aren’t always cooperative at changing time, and it can be hard to handle a wriggling baby in need of a fresh diaper and possibly a whole new outfit.
We’ve put together a comprehensive step-by-step guide to diapering, including what you’ll need, how often to change your baby and how to succeed at the task in any location—without a mess.
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Before getting started, you’ll need some essential items. “Preparation is key,” says Gary Kirkilas, D.O., a pediatrician at Phoenix Children’s. “You may be tempted to jump right in, but a little preparation and routine goes a long way in having a successful and minimally stressful diaper change.”
Have the following on hand before changing a diaper:
Now that you’re equipped with the proper supplies, it’s time to change a diaper. Here is our step-by-step process:
This can be a changing table, the floor or another comfortable (and safe) surface. Lay your little one with their bottom towards the floor and their legs spread apart. Never leave your baby unattended on an elevated surface, as this can lead to serious injuries in the event of a fall.
Pull back the clothing enough that it won’t interfere with the diaper change. If any diaper contents leaked onto the clothing, take off the entire outfit.
Once opened, you’ll have a better idea of what you’re dealing with. Be prepared for a mess and have a wipe handy.
Clean your baby’s bottom with wipes by gently wiping from front to back. Try not to wipe more than a few times, as this can cause redness and discomfort for your little one.
That said, make sure you remove all urine and stool from the area. Any residue left behind could cause a rash or infection. It’s also important for the area to be dry before putting a fresh diaper on. If there is any remaining moisture on the skin, gently pat it dry with a soft cloth. If there is evidence of a rash or skin irritation, wash the area with mild soap and water and allow to air dry.
If your child has loose or watery stools, it may result in skin irritation, so you can also apply a thin layer of vaseline over the diaper ointment, which will create a moisture barrier and help with healing.
Roll up the dirty diaper and any used wipes, placing them to the side, out of your baby’s reach.
Zinc oxide barrier cream, or diaper rash cream, can help protect your baby’s skin from becoming irritated. Use a clean finger or applicator to apply a thin layer evenly over the entire diaper area. Focus heavily on areas of irritation.
If you’re using a disposable diaper, place it with the front between your baby’s legs and the back covering their entire bottom. Secure the diaper with the tabs on both sides.
If you’re using a cloth diaper, make sure it’s properly fastened around your baby’s waist and legs.
When finished with the diaper change, replace your baby’s clothes and return them to a comfortable position. If any urine or poop is on their clothes, put them in the fresh outfit you prepared before the diaper change.
Once finished, place the dirty diaper and used wipes in a diaper pail or trash can. You may want to place the soiled diaper and wipes in an outer plastic bag before discarding.
Always wash your hands well with soap and water after changing your child’s diaper.
Figuring out how often you should change a diaper can be confusing. Every child is different, so it’s important to monitor your baby’s behavior and response to soiled diapers. However, many recommend changing a baby’s diaper roughly every two to three hours or when they become soiled.
“Many newborns pee and even poop with every feed and can have near-constant dirty diapers,” says Rebekah Diamond, M.D., a pediatric hospitalist in New York City, assistant professor of pediatrics at Columbia University and author of the forthcoming book Parent Like a Pediatrician. “As babies get older, they tend to need less-frequent diaper changes.”
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With a little practice and some helpful pointers, you’ll be changing diapers like a pro in no time.
Dr. Diamond shares the following five tips for changing diapers:
Diaper changes are an essential part of taking care of your baby. “Pediatricians frequently see diaper rash as a result of urine and feces irritating the skin,” explains Dr. Kirkilas. “The longer the skin has contact with these two substances, the more likely a baby will develop a rash.”
Soiled diapers can have other negative effects, too. “Additionally, the bacteria that causes urinary tract infections are present in feces, so promptly changing diapers is a good way to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria into the urinary tract,” Dr. Kirkilas concludes.
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Lindsay Modglin ContributorLindsay Modglin is a nurse and professional writer who regularly writes about complex medical topics, as well as travel and the great outdoors. She holds a professional certificate in scientific writing from Stanford University School of Medicine and has contributed to many major publications including Insider and Verywell. As a passionate advocate for science-based content, she loves writing captivating material that supports scientific research and education. In her spare time, you can often find her exploring nature with her husband and three children.
Robert Dracker, M.D. PediatricsRobert Dracker, M.D., is the founder and medical director of Summerwood Pediatrics and Infusacare Medical Services, established in 1993. Dr. Dracker has been actively involved in the area of clinical research, cord blood banking and stem cell transplant. He was the medical director of The Biocyte Corporation, which facilitated the first cord blood transplant in the U.S., and was the medical director of ViaCord in Cambridge, Massachusetts up until 2007. He is also the founding executive medical director of the Americord Corporation, and still serves in that capacity. Dr. Dracker served on the NYS Governor’s Council for Blood and Transfusion Services for 17 years and was the chairperson of the Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Committee for the New York State Department of Health, which developed the first set of guidelines for hematopoietic stem cell collection, processing and storage. He has been chairman of the Heart, Lung and Cancer Committee for the Medical Society of New York State since 2015, and has served as a member of the Pediatric Advisory Committee of the FDA since 2014. He holds academic appointments at the SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, in the Department of Pediatrics at Strong Memorial in Rochester and at the Albany College of Medicine. Dr. Dracker has presented worldwide on many topics regarding pharmaceutical parental or intravenous therapies, testing methodologies, clinical research and a variety of pediatric healthcare policies and stem cell therapy. He is actively involved in ongoing basic science and clinical research, particularly involving intravenous therapies, vaccine development and cord blood stem cell procurement and has published over 80 abstracts and articles and has five biomedical patents. Dr. Dracker continues to mentor and teach a variety of students.
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