6 Diaper Changing Tips All New Mums Need To Know
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Diaper Duty Calls!
If you’re a new mama, or mama-to-be, welcome to the wild and wonderful world of diaper changing. You don’t know it yet, but soon you’ll be surprisingly fast at ninja-level cleanups, one-handed wiping, and developing a supernatural sense for impending poonamis (plus become a pro at handling them).
“I must’ve been a picture of comedy, running on three hours of sleep a day while trying to manage diaper changes. Imagine a mini-wrestling match meets CSI cleanup scene.”
Let me tell you, friend, the first few weeks were a full-blown mess for me. (Yes, I meant that quite literally). I chuckle at how I used to fumble and fluster over diaper changing as a new mum. I must’ve been a picture of comedy, running on three hours of sleep a day while trying to manage diaper changes. Imagine a mini-wrestling match meets CSI cleanup scene.
My friend over at @meldylove did a calculation estimating that we change over 2,000 diapers in a year (6 a day x 30 days x 12 months = 2, 160 diapers a year), which inspired this blog post today. (Peep her reel here)
With that many diaper changes to go through, anyone would think this was an easy-peasy job, right? Turns out, diapering does prove quite tricky at first.
But with a few tried-and-tested diaper hacks that I’m about to share with you, you’ll be saving time, avoiding leaks, and even start to savour the bonding moments that come with serving your baby – yep, even on diaper duty.
Let’s dive straight into these diaper changing tips for new mums, shall we?
Tip 1: What’s that tape on the back of the diaper for?
You know that random tape at the back of the diaper? It’s not decorative. It’s actually for sealing up a soiled diaper after a change, so you can roll it up neatly and toss it out without it unfurling itself into a crime scene in the bin.
Tip 2: What are all these frills and flaps on the diaper for?
Those ruffles along the legs aren’t for cuteness. Once again, it’s not a decorative element. Always pull the leg gussets out after securing the fresh clean diaper on your baby. They’re designed to act like a little barrier that catches leaks and poo-tastrophes before they escape.
Tip 3: Did you know that you can lift baby’s bum gently without strain?
Instead of yanking those tiny ankles straight up like a Thanksgiving turkey, try this: gently hold baby’s ankles so that baby’s legs form a little diamond shape, and gently bend legs toward their tummy. This allows you to access the bum without straining their ankles from the weight of their legs (and the pull). This gentle maneouvre is so perfect for newborns (and you too).
Tip 4: The quick switcheroo: lay the clean diaper first
This is one of my favourite diaper changing tricks that I accidentally discovered. Truly game-changing. Lay the fresh diaper under baby before you even undo the dirty one. Then undo the dirty one and continue with your crime scene cleanup. Next, slide the soiled diaper away (toward you), and baby’s bum is already positioned over the clean one. Tape up the new diaper and you’re ready to go.
This saves time, avoids accidental messes on your changing pad or bed… or car seat… or lap. Works especially great for baby boys – the longer they’re exposed to the cool air, the more likely they’ll do a pee fountain on you. Speed changing is of the essence with boys.
Tip 5: Water is the best treatment for a poopy bum
Speaking from firsthand experience – wipes just don’t cut it. When it comes to poo, water is your best friend. At home, I’d use a bidet on gentle setting, or bring baby to the sink (yes, really). When we were out, I kept a small spray bottle with clean water in the diaper bag. Water is way more effective and way less abrasive than using a dozen wipes.
True story: In the first few weeks, my baby boy was pooping several times a day, and I was only using wipes for the cleanup. He developed a nasty bum rash that we eventually had to take him to the pediatrician for. He got prescribed creams that never seemed to work… until I discovered that if I double-cleansed him (wipe + wash). The rash went away and never came back. Poor baby was extra miserable with the totally unnecessary rash!
Tip 6: Onesies’ shoulder flaps exist for a reason
Ever noticed that envelope-style neckline on baby onesies? It’s not a style statement. Yes, I’m repeating myself – it’s not for decoration. This, dear friend, is a survival feature. In a poonami situation, you pull the onesie down over baby’s shoulders and body instead of over their head. No one’s happy about dragging a poop-covered onesie over a baby’s head and face.
Diapering With Respect and Intention
“What if we began to see diapering not just as a clean-up task, but as an invitation to pause and serve with love? ”
Here’s a thought: what if we began to see diapering not just as a clean-up task, but as an invitation to serve with love? What if these aren't messy, inconvenient interruptions, but moments to tenderly connect with our baby?
Just like how a kind dentist talks us through each step ("You’ll feel a small pinch here," "I’m just going to rinse now") to help us feel safe and at ease, our babies do well with the same level of careful hands and gentle communication.
Even if they don’t yet understand every word, they’re learning that they’re seen, heard, and worthy of respect.
From even when he was a newborn, I would speak gently to my son at every diaper change:
“I’m going to pick you up and change your diaper.”
“Please lift up your legs for me, I’m going to wipe. You might find it a little cold.”
I learned this from something I read in The Montessori Baby. It shifted my view of mundane babycare tasks and showed me that even diapering—a lowly and yucky task—can be a tender moment of connecting with our baby. Here’s a little snippet from the book that left an early impression on me:
“Use gentle hands during diaper changes. Be careful and respectful in the way that we lift up their legs when changing them. If we pause and touch gently, we will find that they collaborate and actually lift their legs by themselves from very early on.” — The Montessori Baby by Simone Davies
Common FAQs about diapering
Q1: Should I use tape diapers or pants diapers?
Tape diapers are great for newborns and babies who are mostly lying down. I love using tape diapers because the fit is customizable and completely adjustable. Pants diapers are better once baby starts becoming more mobile – crawling or walking. It’s easier to pull down and put on a wriggly tot.
Q2. Should I use cloth diapers or disposable diapers?
Honestly, the more eco-friendly and pocket-friendly way is to go with cloth. In my culture, previous generations swore by cloth diapers for comfort. The downside is that cloth diapers require more washing. Disposables are convenient and great for travel. Many parents do a mix of both!
Q3. Does the brand of diaper matter?
Yes and no. Many diaper brands claim to have the best material for comfort, but really, this is all dependent on your baby’s skin sensitivity. I switched around a few diaper brands before I finally settled on this brand.
Q4. How to throw away diapers so they don’t smell?
If you throw away a poopy diaper in the bin, honey, it will smell. What I do is to try and toss out as much of the diaper’s contents into the toilet bowl before bundling up the soiled diaper. This step really does minimize the smell issue. I’ll also use a recycled plastic bag to bag up the diaper for extra seal before tossing it in the bin. Speaking of bins, see the next question.
If you’re really repulsed by the smell, put a few drops of essential oil (I like lavender or peppermint) on a cotton ball in the bin. Game-changer.
Q5. Do I really need a specialised diaper bin?
Honestly? That all depends on your lifestyle and nose tolerance. A regular rubbish bin can work, especially if you’re using disposable diapers with adhesive tabs so that you can bundle and seal up that bad guy. This works also given that you’re taking out the trash frequently.
However, specialised diaper bins are designed to lock in odours and many cloth diapering parents like to use these while they accumulate enough soiled cloth diapers for a laundry load.
Also, if your baby’s nursery is far from the main bin, or you just cannot deal with lingering smells, it’s worth the upgrade to a diaper bin.
Q6. How many hours should a baby wear a diaper?
Every 3 hours is ideal during the day, but realistically, this is hard to track. As new mums, we’re already tracking so many things: sleep cycles, feeding intervals, wake windows etc. The more important thing is to watch for baby’s cues — they’ll cry when they’re feeling icky about a soiled diaper, and every so often, just take a peep into the diaper to see if baby needs a change yet. For nights, you can leave the diaper on longer if it’s a good overnight diaper and baby’s skin is doing okay. Which leads us to the next question.
Q7. Is it okay to leave baby in a diaper all night?
Yes! This is true with a super absorbent overnight diaper. Just keep an eye on skin redness or irritation in the morning.
Conclusion
Nothing about diapering is glamorous, but it’s one of those unseen, seemingly insignificant acts of love that makes a difference over time. And just like the many other baby-caring things you’re learning along the way, you’re going to get so good at this, mama. Hang in there!
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About the Writer
Hi, I’m Samantha
I’m a stay-home-working mum to a toddler son and a handful of plants I’m trying to keep alive. I’m also a proud and grateful wife to a gentle nerd #ITsupportforlife.
As a former teacher and church worker, I have a heart and passion for journeying with others — currently through my work at The Hearthmakers, where I share faith and motherhood content on simple living, savouring little joys, and staying rooted in Christ in the early motherhood years.
Follow along for more stories of everyday mum life in sunny-city Singapore, reflections on faith, and occasional glimpses into my creative pursuits!
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