For dads, being able to change a diaper is a fundamental skill. In addition to strengthening your bond with your child and your relationship, it’s a great way to support your partner by sharing some of the childcare duties. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s critical to have the knowledge and assurance to make sure both you and your baby have a clean, relaxing experience.
In this guide, you can expect to learn the essential tips, tricks, and techniques for successful diaper changing. This guide will give you the knowledge and confidence to tackle diaper changing with ease and ensure that you and your little one have a positive and stress-free experience.
Essential Supplies for Diaper Changing
As a dad, diaper changing is one of those tasks that you just have to know how to do. Not only does it provide a great bonding experience with your little one, but it’s also a big help to your partner. And trust me, the last thing you want to do during a diaper change is to go searching for supplies, so it’s crucial to have everything you need within reach.
Here’s a list of the essentials that I always keep close by for a successful diaper change:
- Diapers (obviously)
- Wipes (lots of them)
- A comfortable changing pad or surface
- Diaper cream (just in case)
- A fresh change of clothes for the baby (because…accidents happen)
Having these items within reach will make your experience a whole lot smoother and less stressful. And if you want to take it to the next level, set up a designated diaper changing station. I like to keep mine in the nursery or the living room, so everything I need is in one place and easily accessible. It’s a small change, but it makes a big difference in making diaper changes a breeze.
Need help choosing the right diapers? Check out this article from Forbes.
How to Change a Diaper (Step-by-Step)
If you follow this simple, yet effective, guide you are sure to have a much better go at changing your child’s diapers. For me, having a set process, and location set aside, and gathering the necessary stuff I need beforehand is a game-changer. You may need to tweak this as required for your living arrangement and your child’s reaction to diaper changing, but for the most part, you can’t go wrong with these steps.
Step 1: Do I Need to Change the Diaper?
You know what I’m talking about. Your child has that look on their face that is either angry or happy looking. Which, for us, usually means one thing – it is time to change a diaper. If your child can’t walk catching them is pretty easy, but if they are a runner, I have found it best to use the stealthy approach. This is also the time to go ahead and grab all of the items listed above or move to the changing table that has all of these items ready to go.
Step 2: Prepare the Changing Surface and the Baby
If you are utilizing and are near a changing table this part is super easy, since it is most likely already prepared for your child. If not, making sure you find a fairly flat and softer area to use is highly recommended. Sometimes we use a portion of our couch that is flat and soft and able to have a larger changing pad draped over it. Of course, use a changing pad (if not using a changing table) for any of those surprise messes.
Once the area is prepped, now your child needs to be as well. At this point, you want to remove any of the clothing that interferes with the diaper area and make sure that it is out of reach from those curious hands of theirs. You also want to make sure that you are in a comfortable position. For me, this is perpendicular to my child. A lot of people prefer to be facing their child with the legs closest to them. Choose whatever works best for you!
Side note: During this point, if you are using a makeshift area, keep those essential items out of reach of your child. Them grabbing at or even throwing wipes, cream, etc., just makes the experience more stressful.
Step 3: Remove the Dirty Diaper
The time has come. Don’t worry, it isn’t that bad. Locate the pull tabs near the waistline of the diaper (there are two) and pull them out to the sides. This will undo the diaper. Once it is open you can gently lift your child to slide it out from under them. See? That wasn’t so bad.
Step 4: Clean the Baby’s Bottom
For a #2 situation, it requires a little more attention. After undoing the diaper, this is when you want to grab the wipes. Everything needs to be wiped off. We leave the dirty one open and to the side to help collect the used wipes. Once everything is wiped off, you then need to check for signs of diaper rash and heat rash. If you do notice signs of either, utilizing a diaper cream (don’t be afraid to lather it up) can help clear that right up. If not, you can still apply cream or moisturizers to help the area stay clear.
Need better wipes for your little one? Here’s an article on top baby wipes from BabyList.com
For a diaper with #1, this is simple. Just remove the diaper, check for any signs of irritation, and apply if necessary.
Step 5: Put On a Clean Diaper
Since you have everything near you, go ahead and grab a new diaper and open it up at the top end. Once you have it opened, you can gently lift your child’s rear and slide it under them. The pull tabs can be found near the hip area and can be pulled forward and “velcro-ed” to the front section.
Step 6: Throw Away the Dirty Diaper
Once your child is ready to go, now you can worry about cleaning up. Make sure the area has no surprise messes and all the wipes have been consolidated. Pick the diaper up and throw it away in the trash. We do recommend having a diaper-specific trash bin, but if you do not have one, that is okay.
Step 7: Wash Your Hands
Since you just dealt with some nasty stuff, please make sure to wash your hands. This benefits everyone in the house, but most importantly your little one!
What is Diaper Rash?
Diaper rash is a common and frustrating issue for many parents, but the good news is that it’s usually easily treatable. Diaper rash occurs when a baby’s delicate skin is exposed to prolonged wetness, friction, and heat from wearing a diaper for an extended period of time.
To treat diaper rash, it’s important to keep the affected area clean and dry. This can be done by changing your baby’s diaper frequently, using warm water to clean the area, and allowing it to air out as much as possible. Using a diaper rash cream, such as one with zinc oxide, can also be helpful in soothing and protecting the skin. It’s also important to choose diapers that are soft, breathable, and fit well to minimize friction. If the rash persists or appears infected, it’s always best to consult with your pediatrician.
Final Thoughts
Understanding ways to better tackle diaper changing can make the ordeal less stressful. I won’t say enjoyable, but it can become a much more tolerable event. Be patient and prepared and it will all work out well in the end.
Remember: It’s not about us anyway. It’s about making sure our children are taken care of in the best way possible.
Looking for more tips on being a dad? We highly suggest you check out this article from DADVERSE: “11 Tips for New Dads“.
