Sooner or later, it’s likely to happen. It’s stinky. It’s messy. It might gross you out. But, especially if you babysit, it’s something that’s got to get done. You have to change a diaper.
My twin sister, Jennifer Roy, is an author for teens. She wrote Romantic Breakup: It’s Not the End of the World, Difficult People, and other books. And she used to be a teacher. But she’s working her most important job now: She just became a mom (and made me an aunt—yea!). So she is totally immersed in baby stuff right now. Here is her professional diaper advice.
- Get ready. Get all the supplies together before you put the baby on the changing table or area:
- Diaper
- Wipes or warm, damp washcloth
- Diaper rash ointment, if needed
- Pins (if you’re using a cloth diaper)
- A baby toy (to hand to the baby to distract her)
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Cover the changing area with a cover or a towel.
- Lay the baby on his back, and remove the old diaper. Hold on to the baby at all times.
- Smile, sing, be nice to the baby. It may not be an enjoyable experience for him, but try to make it as pleasant as possible. Smaller babies may like having your hand or a stuffed animal on their bellies to make them feel more cure. Older babies may like to hold a toy.
- Place the diaper out of the child’s kicking and grabbing area (or it will get even messier). Hold the baby’s legs together gently at the ankles with one hand. Try to slide and fold the diaper off and out so the yuk doesn’t fall out when you pick the diaper up later. (Yes, you will have to pick it up later.)
- Take the clean diaper and check for the front. Lay the diaper under the baby and bring it up through his legs. Pull the top over and hold snugly, but not too tight. If it is a disposable diaper, pull the sticky tabs open and fasten them on each side. If it is a cloth diaper, pin the diaper closed on each side. Use your hand to protect the baby from getting stuck with the pin.
- Re-tape the old disposable diaper up into a nice neat little package. Cloth diapers could be rinsed out or put in a bag or whatever the mom instructed you to do with it.
- Take the baby off the changing table and put in a baby-safe place.
- Toss the diaper in the Diaper Genie or into the trash.
- Wash your hands.
