The steps involved in changing your baby’s nappy will vary depending on whether you’re using cloth or disposable but for the most part the steps are basically the same. Either way it is important to change your baby’s nappy regularly to prevent nappy rash which is an uncomfortable condition generally brought about by leaving your baby in a wet nappy which harbors the growth of bacteria and fungus causing what we see as nappy rash. Nappy rash is best prevented in contrast to having to treat the area with antifungal/steroidal creams and managing a baby that is in extreme discomfort. Nappy rash can be prevented by changing baby regularly and ensuring their skin is kept clean and dry. A zinc barrier cream is useful to apply after baby has been cleaned and changed, this creates a barrier between the moisture in the nappy and the baby’s skin.

How to change a nappy:

1. Have a clean and dry nappy handy
2. Unfasten the tabs on the nappy whilst keeping it in place
3. If your baby is a boy ensure the penis is covered with a cloth to prevent a sudden warm shower!
4. Wipe away any poo with the nappy
5. Fold the nappy in half underneath the baby. Clean side facing up
6. Using a damp baby cloth wipe clean the front of your baby thoroughly, making sure if your baby is a girl that you wipe from front to back- always away from the vagina. Doing so will prevent bacteria entering the vagina which can lead to infection
7. Lift your baby’s legs holding them with one hand and wipe their bottom using a damp cloth, with the other hand
8. Dispose of the dirty nappy and get a clean nappy
9. Place the clean nappy so that half of it is positioned under your baby’s bottom and the other half between the legs
10. If you have a newborn ensure that the back of the nappy is positioned higher than the front to avoid irritating the umbilical cord stump. For boys tuck the penis down to prevent moisture escaping
11. Fasten the nappy, making sure it is snug fitting without being too tight
12. If you’re using cloth nappies, knock any stools into the toilet and place the nappy inside a nappy bucket making sure the lid is sealed tightly
13. When washing cloth nappies make sure you wash them in a separate load and use hot water with a double rinse. Avoid softeners which may cause problems with nappy absorbance and baby’s sensitive skin
14. Dress your baby and wash your hands

Here are some helpful resources relating to changing nappies:

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/ch43poster2.pdf

http://www.birth.com.au/Changing-nappies/How-to-change-a-nappy-step-by-step#

http://www.babycenter.com.au/a536384/nappy-changing-the-basics

Nappy rash is a self explanatory term, meaning a rash in the area covered by a baby’s nappy. More often than nappy rash can be related to the use of certain soaps, creams, and even certain nappies. Such products can interfere with the skins protective barrier, making it vulnerable to infection. The rash may be minor in which case you’ll observe red and inflamed skin, but in some severe cases ulceration can occur.

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The Benefits of using the Modern Cloth Nappy System

Parents will change approximately 4500 nappies for each of their children. When we think of this in terms of disposable nappies, thats an extra 4500 nappies, that will need to be disposed of. This is a huge figure when we multiply this by the many thousands of children born each year. Its a figure that will likely cause a significant environmental impact, due to the inherent lack of biodegradability of these items.

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