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Diapering: What’s All the Stink About?

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Diapering: What’s All the Stink About?

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July 20, 2022 Infant

How can such a beautiful bundle of joy produce such stinky, leaky and explosive diapers?! Changing diapers is a big part of taking care of your baby and although it’s often messy, it can also be a time for bonding!

Whether you choose cloth or disposable diapers, your baby will go through a lot of them! Newborns over 5 days old will usually go through 10-12 diapers per day, a few more if using cloth. You’ll need to change them every 2-3 hours or sooner if they pooped or the diaper is wet. Sitting in a wet or soiled diaper can cause diaper rashes or more serious infections.

Caregiver changing babys diaper on a table

After passing the meconium (their first poop), your breastfed baby’s poop will be a watery, yellow-color with white seedy curds in it. The poop of formula-fed babies is yellow or tan. Babies will poop several times per day, often after every feeding. Occasional leaks and “blow outs” are normal but if this happens a lot, try a different size, brand or style of diaper.

Your baby’s poop will change as they get older and their diet changes. If they have gray, white, or red poop tell your baby’s health care provider. After they are 2-4 days old, their urine should be clear to pale yellow. If they are not having 6-8 wet diapers per day, or their urine is dark colored or foul smelling, call their health care provider. These can be signs they’re not getting enough human milk or formula.

Mother playing with baby on a changing table

Changing your baby’s diaper in a safe location is essential whether you are at home, shopping or elsewhere. Keep supplies within reach and NEVER leave your baby unattended or walk away when they are on a changing table. It only takes a second to roll off when you least expect it. As they get older, they will squirm and twist during diaper changes so it may be safer to change them on the floor, instead of up high on a changing table. To help things go smoothly, talk to your baby to keep them happy or give them a toy to help keep their hands occupied.

To keep things clean:

Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after every diaper change.
Always place a cloth or changing pad under your baby.
Clean your baby’s skin at every diaper change, even if they’re just wet.
Make sure to clean in all the skin folds.
When changing little girls, always wipe her from front to back to prevent urinary tract infections (also called UTI’s).
When changing little boys, place a cloth or wipe over his penis to stay dry. To prevent leaks, point his penis downward when putting on the new diaper.

Always keep these in your diaper bag:

diapers
wipes

cream
a clean outfit

hand sanitizer
a toy to keep them busy

plastic bags (to store dirty outfits and/or diapers)

Even when doing your best, diaper rashes can occur. Leaving a soiled or wet diaper on too long, a food allergy, sensitivity to the diapers or wipes, soaps or lotions, or the use of antibiotics or other medications can all lead to diaper rash. They can also develop a yeast infection; these are bright red, raised areas throughout the diaper area and do not clear up with regular diaper cream.

Baby in a bath, gently supported by hand

If your baby gets a diaper rash, try wet cloths instead of wipes, use a diaper cream or petroleum jelly and allow their diaper area to air out. Call your baby’s health care provider if the rash does not improve in 3-4 days; you might need a different medication. When it’s hot, using cornstarch powder can help keep the diaper area dry. Avoid talc-based baby powder because it can cause breathing problems if inhaled. Heat rash is also common; frequent bathing, cooling off and changing diapers more often should help this go away.

You will quickly become a pro at changing diapers.
Laugh through the messes and enjoy the little moments with your baby!

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