Nappy Changing

The first nappy of a new born will be a meconium stool. Newborn babies will need their nappy changed every time it is wet or soiled. This can happen plenty of times during the day and night. There is no need to wake your baby during the night unless they have passed their stools or their bottom is a little sore.

Newborns that are breastfed pass their stools more frequent, than formula fed babies. Every newborn is different; they can pass stools up two or three times a day. Some babies can go without passing stools for a few days. This can make your baby feel uncomfortable and uneasy. It may also affect their feeding routine. Recommendation: brown sugar and water (3 oz. of water and a quarter tea spoon of brown sugar).

You will need some where safe to change your baby. Changing units are practical and are at waist level so you do not cause backache. Changing units are a long term investment and double as a chest of drawers great for storing your equipment.

Before you change your baby’s nappy, wash hands with warm soapy water or hand sterilizing gel. Never leave baby unattended on changing unit. Cover your changing mat with a cotton towel; unbutton your babies baby grow and vests.

Using cotton wool and warm water clean your baby’s bottom making sure you get into all the creases. Holding your baby’s legs by the ankles and lift gently. For girls clean from front to back to prevent bacteria from the anus getting into the vagina. Boys work towards the penis and don’t pull back the foreskin this area is self-cleaning.

Depending where you live, the water in your area maybe little hard and can cause your babies bottom to get sore. Using cooled boiled water with some baby oil will help. I would recommend baby wipes with chamomile and Aloe Vera, this will absorb into their skin. Choose non-alcoholic wipes. Only use nappy creams if your baby has passed their stools or they are a little red. Nappy rash can be caused by teething and weaning. This can be treated with barrier creams.

Make sure you don’t put your baby’s nappy on to tight, ensure you have enough room to place two fingers between your baby’s tummy and their nappy.

If the umbilical cord stump is still present clean with alcohol swabs or some cotton wool and warm water (no soap). Fold nappy over the cord stump, to do not fold down the front as this sometimes can irritate the area when you are winding your baby in the sitting position. The umbilical cord can fall off any time from 4 to 10 days old. Keep clean; consult your doctor if you feel the cord is infected. When possible for at least five to ten minutes a day try to air your baby’s bottom when you change your baby’s nappy. Always wash hands again after nappy change.