Nappy changing tips: be prepared

          

Where do I start?

Stock up on nappies before your baby arrives.  Newborns can wet about 12 nappies a day, so you'll need them. Buying in bulk can really save money. 

Wash cloth nappies regularly so you don't run out. Buy 18 cloth nappies for a newborn, if you want to wash daily. If you want to wash every other or every second day, you'll need between 24 and 36 nappies. To treat stains, you can soak nappies for an hour or two before washing them. 

Change nappies frequently to avoid your baby getting nappy rash, especially if they're soiled with poo. Nappy rash can develop quickly, and is the red puffy rash around your baby's genitals, bottom and the folds of her thighs. The best prevention and remedy is to keep your baby clean and dry by changing her nappy frequently and cleaning her properly at each nappy change. 

Washing your baby with unperfumed soap and warm water is the best way to keep her clean and prevent nappy rash. Disposable wipes are convenient but are best used when you are out and about and during the night. 

Learn how to spot the difference between nappy rash and yeast nappy rash, as they need to be treated differently. Thrush or candida begins as tiny red spots which multiply and mass into a solid red blotch which may include pus-filled bumps. 

If poo keeps leaking out of the top back of your baby's nappy, it may be time to go up a size. The weights on the packaging are just guidelines, and your baby may need a bigger size sooner than the manufacturer suggests.

How many nappies will I need?

You'll need between 15 and 20 nappies if you plan to use reusable nappies full-time, or between eight and 10 if you plan to use them some of the time. 

You may want to try a few types in the early days before buying your full amount. As Lisa, a BabyCentre mum, says: "If you want to try a new type or brand of cloth nappy, buy one to start with. That way you can make sure you and your baby are both happy with the style before splashing out on one in every colour!" 

If you are using disposables, you can expect your baby to get through about 12 nappies a day when she is a newborn.

How will I know if my baby needs changing?

You should change your baby's nappies regularly. Your baby's wee, combined with the bacteria in her poo, may make her skin sore and lead to nappy rash. Change your baby's nappy before or after every feed, or whenever she's done a poo. 

If your baby wakes in night for a feed change the nappy as part of your usual routine. Otherwise your baby may wake an hour later because she has a full nappy. You may wish to use wipes during the night to clean your baby up if you're worried about disturbing her. 

Your newborn baby will poo several times a day and wee every one hour to three hours. Wetness doesn't bother most babies though, so don't expect her to cry or show discomfort every time she needs changing. 

Disposable nappies absorb moisture particularly well, so you may not always be able to gauge their wetness until they're soaked. Check for wetness every couple of hours by testing with a clean finger. 

Some disposable nappies for young babies have a wetness indicator on them. This is a line that changes colour if the nappy is wet. This isn't necessary, but it's a handy way to tell if it's time for a change.

How can I make it easier for us both?

Keep distractions handy. If your baby fusses and squirms during changes, hang a mobile over the changing area, put up pictures or mirrors for your baby to focus on. Or give your baby a small toy to play with. 

Enjoy it! Nappy changes offer a chance for special one-on-one time. Talk and sing to your baby, pointing out the different parts of your baby's body and explaining what you're doing. 

Once your baby is cleaned up, try a few simple songs such as Incey wincey spider. Play a bit of peekaboo and share a kiss once you've finished changing your baby.

What will I need when we're out and about?

When you're away from home, take a wetbag and put dirty cloth nappies in it until you get home. Wetbags are waterproof bags that help to reduce unpleasant smells. 

If you're using disposables, when you go out, carry some extra plastic or biodegradable bags with you. You'll then have somewhere to put dirty nappies if there's nowhere to dispose of them. You may also choose to use these to store cloth nappies until you get home. 

Take one small bag, containing a clean nappy and an extra cover, if using cloth nappies, and a couple of wipes, for each nappy change. Each time you change your baby, simply exchange the clean items in the bag for the dirty ones. 

Or you can have one large wet bag to put all the dirty nappies in. Or have a wet/dry bag, which allows you to put clean things on the dry side and dirty things on the wet side. 

For wipes, if you choose not to use disposable wipes, you could take pre-moistened cloth flannels in a small wet bag. Or you can moisten dry cloth wipes with a small spray bottle filled with a mild water and soap solution and spray the solution onto a wipe when you need one. Some mums also add a drop or two of tea tree oil or lavender oil to the water.