Changing a baby's diaper is a fairly simple procedure, though it is best to have all of your supplies ready to avoid stress on you and the baby, according to "Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality." If you are expecting and have never changed a diaper before, "The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two," suggests practicing changing a diaper on a doll before your baby arrives.
Step 1
Gather your supplies, including baby wipes, a clean diaper, a garbage can, baby powder and diaper cream. Ensure that all of these supplies are within arm's reach of where you will changing your baby's diaper.
Step 2
Lay your baby on his back on a changing table. If a changing table is not available, lay a towel on the floor and use that in lieu of a changing table.
Step 3
Unfasten the tabs on the diaper.
Step 4
Grasp your baby's ankles, and gently lift up her hips with one hand. Use the other hand to roll up the dirty diaper and discard it into the garbage can.
Step 5
Wipe your baby's genitals from from front to back with a baby wipe. Discard the wipe after a single use, and use a new baby wipe for each stroke.
Step 6
Apply diaper cream to any reddened areas of your baby's skin to prevent or treat diaper rash.
Step 7
Apply baby powder to your baby's genitals. According to "Your Baby's First Year," the baby powder will absorb excess moisture and prevent diaper rash.
Step 8
Slide the clean diaper under your baby.
Step 9
Lay your baby's hips and legs back on the changing table or towel, and pull one end of the diaper up between his legs. Position the front of the diaper over the lower portion of your baby's abdomen.
Step 10
Bring the tabs around from the back of the diaper. Fasten them to the front of the diaper to keep the diaper in place.
Things You'll Need
- Towel
- Changing table
- Baby wipes
- Diaper cream
- Baby powder
- Diaper
- Garbage can
References
- "The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two"; James Sears, Martha Sears, Robert Sears, and William Sears; 2003
- "Your Baby's First Year"; American Academy of Pediatrics; 2004
- "Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality"; Laura A. Jana and Jennifer Shu; 2010


