Diapering

Diapering

Your baby may need a new diaper before or after every feeding, and after every bowel movement. This can mean at least eight changes a day. Parents can choose disposable or cloth diapers. Some children have an allergic reaction to disposable diapers, or to the soaps used to wash cloth diapers. If your child has a reaction, try another brand or type of diaper or soap.

Umbilical Cord Care

To prevent infection: 

• Keep the cord clean and dry. 
• Fold the front of the diaper down, so it is below the cord.
• Gently clean the area where the cord attaches with warm water.

The cord usually falls off between one and three weeks after birth. If the area around the cord looks red, irritated, bleeds, oozes, or has a bad odor, call your doctor or nurse.

Circumcision Care

If your baby has been circumcised, there may be some soreness and bleeding. Put a little petroleum jelly on a gauze pad and wrap it around his penis. Change the gauze pad each time you change the diaper. Staying in a wet diaper will irritate the penis. Healing takes 1-2 weeks. If penis bleeds, oozes, or has a bad odor, call your doctor or nurse.

To Change a Diaper:

Change your baby often to avoid diaper rash. You will need a clean diaper and a soft, clean, wet cloth. You may need a clean change of clothing.

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. ALWAYS keep a hand on your baby.
3. Take off the old diaper.
4. Clean your baby:
   • Girls should be cleaned from the front to the back to avoid spreading germs.
   • Do not pull back the foreskin of a boy who is not circumcised. 
5. Dry the baby well.
6. Put on a clean diaper.
7. Rinse used cloth diapers and place in a diaper pail with a lid. 
8. Put used disposable diapers in bags and throw them away.
9. Wash your hands again.

Diaper Rash

Most babies get diaper rash at one time or another. Here are some tips:

• Wash the area using gentle soap and water, instead of wipes. 
• Dry thoroughly.
• Use petroleum jelly or a diaper rash cream.
• Change diapers more often.

If the rash does not get better in a few days, call your doctor or nurse.