How to Change a Diaper

Diaper changing may not sound like rocket science, however much can go wrong to make it an extremely unpleasant experience if you do not take the time to prepare. By taking a step-by-step method, you can make the process as easy as possible for you and the baby.
Before you “unwrap” the baby, prepare your tools. Have the diaper out and ready. You shouldn’t simply take out the diaper, but open its folds. Also, consider having one or even two more diapers out, especially if your baby is a newborn. Babies will often “go” while they are being changed.
Make sure you have enough wipes. Take out a few so that you can easily get to them since they can sometimes be difficult to pull from the package. You may also want other items such as diaper rash cream. You should have a place where you can put the used diaper and or used wipes, such as a garbage can. They sell scented bags that are specifically made for used diapers.
Place the baby in a safe location. Never leave a baby unsupervised on a high area. Even if your baby cannot yet roll or move, you never know when he or she may gain that ability. If you leave for even a second, your child could fall off. You can get a changing table or simply use a pad on the floor.
Slowly remove the baby’s diaper. If it is a bowel movement you can use the diaper to make an initial wipe. Place the diaper somewhere where it will not get anything dirty. Wipe your baby. If your baby had diaper rash then consider just patting with a wet towel or using a squirt bottle of water to clean your baby. Make sure that you get the baby very clean. He or she could develop an infection if you miss something because of the bacteria. Apply diaper rash lotion as needed.
Attach the new diaper. Make sure that it is not too tight because this can be uncomfortable to the baby, but obviously you do not want it so loose that it allows accidents. . A good rule of thumb is to make sure it does not cause red marks on the baby. Many new diapers allow you to pull the tabs up and down so you can make sure it fits right. Also if there is elastic by the legs, make sure this is pulled out to avoid accidents.
Diaper changing may seem hard but with practice it gets better. The above steps can aid in this process.