A New Beginning

HOW TO CHANGE A DIAPER • Undo the tabs of your baby’s diaper or remove safety pins. • Hold your baby’s feet together at the ankles and lift their bottom up. • Remove the soiled diaper. • Pay special attention to all the little folds, again always wiping from front to back. • Pull the back of the diaper over the front and secure the sides. • Fold the top of the diaper below the umbilical cord until it’s healed. • Give your baby a hug and positive attention after you’re finished. If you have a boy, always remember to place a cloth or diaper over his penis to keep from getting a surprise shower. For girls, it’s normal to see a white fluid or small amount of bleeding from the vaginal area during the first few weeks. This doesn’t need to be wiped off. Use a baby wipe or washcloth to thoroughly clean your baby’s bottom, wiping from front to back using a clean area of the cloth every time. diaper rash can become painful, causing bumps, blisters, or sores. Diaper rash can even cause a more serious bacterial skin infection or yeast infection. What You Can Do • Change the baby’s diaper frequently — every 1 to 3 hours during the day or when they become soiled. • Use warm, not hot, water to clean the area with mild soap. • Do not use powders or scented baby wipes. • Use protective ointments recommended by your baby’s health care provider. Nonscented petroleum or a zinc oxide product works well. • Contact your baby’s health care provider if nothing seems to be working, the rash worsens, there are small white pimples present, or your baby doesn’t seem well. DIAPER RASH Diaper rash is usually not a serious problem and will often improve in 3 to 4 days with simple treatment. But if it is not treated,

Diaper Changes

Although it’s not always pleasant, changing a diaper is just part of parenting. Newborns can go through many diapers in a day. Sometimes, babies are easygoing during a change; other times, they’re cranky. Newborns don’t like getting cold during a diaper change or being changed when they’re hungry. Changing your newborn in a warm room and after feeding may help.

SCAN + PLAY

Health and Safety Tips

• Wash your hands before and after every diaper change. • Keep diapering supplies within reach so one hand always stays on baby. • Do NOT use baby or talcum powder because of an inhalation risk. • Use ointments recommended by baby’s provider to prevent a rash. • Never leave baby unattended during a diaper change.

Call your baby’s health care provider if:

• There is an unusual or severe rash. • There is a diaper rash as well as white patches on baby’s cheeks or gums.

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A New Beginning