Congratulations on the birth of your little one! As a new parent, you’ve probably got plenty of questions and concerns about your new baby. From feeding to sleeping and more, it’s normal to seek out answers. After all, babies don’t come with instruction manuals!
To help educate you a little bit and put your mind at ease, we’ve put together a short guide to diapering your baby. Though it’s a task every parent must master, there’s more to it than just taking the soiled diaper off and putting a clean one on. So without further ado, here are a few rules for proper diaper hygiene and etiquette.
Apply a Good Nappy Rash Cream at Every Diaper Change
Many people are of the mind that baby nappy rash cream should only be used after a rash has developed. This is incorrect as diaper rash cream is intended to create a barrier between the baby’s skin and the soiled diaper to prevent diaper rash. If you apply a thin layer of cream to your baby’s bottom at every diaper change, your little one will experience fewer diaper rashes and less pain.
Always Lay Baby Down on a Clean Surface
Anytime you change a little one’s diaper, you should place them on a clean, dry surface. We know it can be difficult to find such a surface when you’re not at home, which is why you should always carry a diaper changing mat in the diaper bag. Lay out the mat before placing your baby down, and be sure to clean and sanitize the mat before putting it back in the diaper bag. That way, it’s ready for the next use.
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Wash Your Hands Before and After a Diaper Change
To keep you and your baby healthy, wash your hands well before and after each diaper change. Use soap and warm water and scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds to kill germs. Doing so before a diaper change can help prevent diaper rash, and washing your hands afterward, can prevent the spread of germs to yourself or other people.
When In Public, Handle Diaper Changes Away From Others
No one wants to see or smell your baby’s dirty diaper. Most public restrooms have diaper-changing stations, so this should be where you go when it’s diaper changing time. If you can’t find a diaper changing station, then move as far away from others as possible to change your baby’s diaper. If no other options are available, you can always use the backseat of your car to change your baby so that others won’t be affected.
While it’s not illegal to change your baby’s diaper in public, it has happened that parents have been asked to leave an establishment after changing their little one’s diaper in a common place. The takeaway here is to try to be respectful of others when changing your baby’s diaper in public.
Dispose of the Diaper Properly When in Public
Again, no one likes to smell your baby’s dirty diaper, so if you’re in public, dispose of it properly. put it in a bag and throw it away. If you can’t throw it away where you are, place the sealed soiled diaper in your diaper bag and dispose of it when you get home.
Diaper changing is a part of parenting life, but there are right and wrong ways to do it. Follow the tips above to be sure you’re being hygienic and respectful when changing your baby’s diaper.
