Diapering

The baby should have his first bowel movement within 24 hours of birth. This first stool, called the meconium, will be tar like - sticky and black. The appearance of successive bowel movements will quickly change to a seedy textured yellow. When the mother's milk comes in and the baby begins to breast feed, his stool will turn to a more golden yellow color with a more lumpy consistency.

Bowel movement patterns will of course vary greatly from infant to infant. While some babies will have a bowel movement after every meal, others will only have three to four per week. Interestingly, breast fed infants tend to have few bowel movements and occasionally go days with out defecating. Bowel movement patterns should begin to change dramatically with in the first two weeks after birth - from multiple stools each day to one, perhaps every other day.

When passing stool, infants may turn bright red and look uncomfortable. This discomfort will pass quickly, and the straining is perfectly normal.

Choosing Diapers

The baby will have to wear diapers day and night, up until the age of two or three, until he is toilet trained. Choosing diapers that the baby will wear for this long period of time is important and difficult considering how many different types there are. The mother will need to select a diaper that is comfortable for the baby, but also fits her lifestyle and budget.

Essentially there are two main types of diapers: disposable and reusable. Disposable diapers offer convenience but are typically more expensive to in the long run as they must be purchased regularly. They are also easy to use. There are no pins or plastic pants necessary and the folding is straightforward. Typically, they have a plastic outer layer and an absorbent inner layer, with elastic, adjustable tabs that close the diaper. They also have elastic leg openings that prevent leaks. Disposables come in a wide variety of sizes, and there are male and female styles.

Reusable diapers are initially more expensive but will cost less in the long term. As well as the diapers, the mother must also purchase pin fasteners, liners, and pants. They do, however, need to be cleaned and dried after every use.

	ADVANTAGES	DISADVANATGES
DISPOSABLES	No washing, drying, pins, or plastic pants. They are more practical for travel and outings as there are fewer accessories and take up less space.	Can only be used once. More expensive in the long run.
REUSABLES	Only one set is required, so long term costs are reduced. They can be reused for future children.	Have to be washed and dried after each use. Involve more labor and accessories.

Changing a Diaper

The baby's diaper will require changing when it is wet and soiled. With infants, this is quite often. Diapers must be monitored and changed with great diligence in order to prevent diaper rash.

1. Wipe the baby's Legs and their Creases: Gently remove any feces with a tissue or cloth. Lift up the baby's legs and bottom by holding both ankles together. Place the diaper under his bottom. Using a moistened cotton swab or cloth, wipe clean all the creases at the top of the baby's legs. Be sure to wipe downward and away from the baby's body. This wiping motion is more important to remember if the infant is female.

2. Cleaning the baby's Diaper Area: Again, holding both of the baby's ankles together and lifting his legs up, clean the baby's genital area. If cleaning a girl, always wipe from the vagina back toward the rectum to prevent urinary tract infections. Be sure to never pull back the labia to clean inside. Carefully wipe the baby's thighs and buttocks inward towards the rectum. Then remove the dirty diaper. If cleaning a boy, gently wipe a moistened cotton ball under his testicles. Also wipe all over his testicles and penis. Ensure that the foreskin is not pulled back and cleaned. Use petroleum jelly or zinc to protect his penis.

3. Dry the baby: Dry the diapered area with a tissue or cloth if water has been used to clean the baby. Gently apply diaper rash ointment around the genitals and on his buttocks to prevent diaper rash.

Putting on a Disposable Diaper

Applying a disposable diaper to the baby requires that only a few simple steps be followed:

- Open the diaper with the adhesive tabs facing up and at the top. Lift the baby's legs up and slide the diaper under, aligning the top of the diaper with his waist.

- Bring the front panel of the diaper up between the baby's legs. Be sure to smooth the sides of the diaper around the baby's waist and stomach so they will fit snuggly underneath.

- Remove the plastic cover from one tab. Pull that side over and across the front panel of the diaper, securing it. Repeat with the other side, ensuring that the diaper is tight enough to be sealed, but not so tight that it is restrictive or painful.

Putting on a Reusable Fabric Diaper

Like applying a disposable diaper, there are just a few simple steps that must be followed in putting a fabric diaper on the baby:

- Begin by folding the diaper into a triangle. Fold the bottom-right corner to the top-left corner; and then the bottom-left to the top-right.

- Raise the baby's legs and place the diaper under his bottom. Align the top edge of the diaper with his waist, ensuring that the pointed edge of the triangle is pointing down away from the baby.

- Bring the pointed end of the diaper up between the baby's legs towards his stomach. Holding this flap in place, bring the two side flaps in to overlap one another. Pull the sides slightly tight to keep it firm. Secure the diaper with a safety pin. Carefully guide the pin through the diaper using a hand as backing so the baby is not accidentally poked.

Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is very common among infants. Greater detail regarding diaper rash - its causes and cures - will be discussed in the INFANT HEALTH AND NUTRITION section. The focus here is merely to provide some helpful tips regarding diaper use that can help prevent diaper rash.

Diaper Rash Tips

- Diligently change diapers as soon as they are wet or soiled. Changing diapers between every two to four hour is ideal. When the diaper is changed, the mother should gently wash the baby's skin with water and then allow it to air dry.

- Avoid at all costs using plastic pants over a cloth diaper at night. This combination does not breathe well enough. Instead, apply two cloth diapers and ensure that the baby's mattress is protected by a rubber pad.

- When washing reusable cloth diapers, put them through an extra rinse cycle with diluted vinegar added to the wash.

- Super absorbent disposable diapers bind with water rather than merely absorbing it, meaning the baby's skin has less direct contact with moisture, preventing diaper rash.

- Using nonprescription ointments such as zinc or vaseline to protect diapered skin can help prevent diaper rash.

Allowing diapered skin time to air dry each day can also help prevent the outbreak of diaper rash.

Print this page