MemorialCare - Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care

Although it’s not always pleasant, changing diapers is just part of being a parent. Newborns can go through many diapers in a day, but they don’t like getting cold during a diaper change or being changed when they’re hungry. Changing diapers in a warm room or after feedings may help. Changing DIAPERS

What to know • Wash your hands before and after every diaper change • Have diaper supplies within reach and always keep one hand on your baby • Avoid baby powder or talcum powder; it can cause breathing problems if inhaled • Never leave your baby unattended during a diaper change; everything else can wait

1 Hold your baby’s feet together at the ankles and raise their bottom.

SCAN + PLAY

2 Remove soiled diaper and clean the diaper area. Wipe your baby from front to back, using clean parts of the cloth.

3 Place clean diaper under your baby’s bottom.

Remember to clean front to back on baby girls.

4 Bring front of diaper up between your baby’s legs.

5 Pull back of the diaper over front and secure sides.

6 Fold top of diaper below umbilical cord until it’s healed.

Note: It’s normal to see some white fluid or a small amount of bleeding from a baby girl’s vaginal area over the first few weeks. This doesn’t need to be wiped off.

Give your baby hugs and plenty of praise after you’re done!

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Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care