Diapering your baby

Health and safety hints

Whichever diapering option you choose, follow these tips to keep your baby safe and healthy.

• Change wet or soiled diapers promptly. For a newborn, this could be as often as every hour.
• Never leave your baby unattended on a changing table. Keep fasteners and lotions out of baby’s reach.
• Avoid excessive cleaning with harsh soap or diaper wipes that contain alcohol. They can dry and irritate skin.
• Avoid perfumes in skin products or disposable diapers. They can increase skin irritation.
• Always wipe baby’s bottom from front to back, to keep stool away from the urethra or penis.
• To prevent diaper rash, dry skin thoroughly before putting on a clean diaper and expose baby’s diaper area to air as often as possible.
• Pediatricians recommend not using talcum or baby powder, because babies can breathe in the particles.
• If your baby has diaper rash, apply an ointment such as zinc oxide or petroleum jelly at changing time, and let your baby go without diapers for a few hours each day.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after changing diapers to prevent the spread of germs.