How to change a newborn diaper, step by step

How to change a newborn diaper, step by step

A diaper change takes a few minutes: set out your supplies, take off the used diaper, clean the area, fit a fresh one and wash your hands. The steps below go in order, so you can follow them the first time you do it. If you can, ask your nurse or midwife to watch one change and give you feedback.

Set out what you need before you start

Once a change begins, one hand stays on the baby, so everything must be within reach first. Gather:

Choose a firm, flat surface. A pad or towel on the floor is a sound choice if you are tired or unsure, because there is no height to fall from. Never leave your baby alone on a raised surface, even for a second.

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Opening the used diaper

  1. Wash or sanitize your hands.
  2. Lay your baby on their back on the clean surface, with one hand on them whenever the other is busy.
  3. Undo the tabs and fold each one back onto itself, so it does not stick to skin.
  4. Open the front of the diaper. If the diaper is dirty and the inside of the front panel is clean, use it to wipe downward, from front to back, to take away the worst.
  5. Lift your baby's bottom gently by holding both ankles in one hand and raising the legs just far enough to free the diaper.
  6. Fold the used diaper in half beneath your baby, with the clean outer side facing up, so the skin rests on something clean while you wipe. If that is awkward, slide the diaper out and lay a clean cloth or a disposable pad underneath.

If that hold feels awkward, ask your nurse or midwife to show you one that suits you and your baby.

Cleaning the diaper area

  1. Wipe from front to back, using a clean part of the wipe or cloth for each pass.
  2. Clean inside the folds at the thighs and the creases around the bottom, which are easy to miss.
  3. Lift the bottom again, take the folded diaper away and set it out of reach of your baby's feet.
  4. Pat dry, or leave a moment to air dry.
  5. If you use a barrier cream, apply it as the label directs.

In the first days, stools can be sticky and take several wipes. Your nurse or midwife can tell you what to expect and what to report. If your baby has an umbilical cord stump or a circumcision, follow the care instructions you were given for cleaning around it, and ask your nurse, midwife or doctor if you were not given any.

Putting on the fresh diaper

  1. With your baby's bottom lifted, slide the open fresh diaper under, with the tabs at the back and the top edge at about waist level.
  2. Lower the bottom onto the diaper and bring the front up between the legs.
  3. If the cord stump is still attached, ask your nurse or midwife how the front of the diaper should sit around it. Some newborn diapers have a cut-out at the front for this, so check the pack for how it is meant to be used.
  4. Pull the tabs forward, one on each side, and fasten them level on the front of the diaper.

Checking the fit at the waist and legs

  • The waist is snug but not tight, with room to slide a finger or two under the waistband.
  • The leg cuffs are pulled out around the thighs, not folded inward.
  • There are no gaps at the legs, and the back sits high enough to cover.
  • For a boy, a common tip is to point the penis downward before closing the diaper, so that wetness goes into the padding and not toward the waistband. After a circumcision, follow the care instructions you were given instead.

If the diaper sags, leaves marks or leaks again and again, the size may need to change, so check the weight range on the pack. The baby diapers and training pants collection lists each size.

Wrapping up and washing your hands

  1. Dress your baby and move them to a safe place, such as the crib or bassinet.
  2. Roll the used diaper up with the wipes inside and close it with its own tabs.
  3. Put it in the bin. Never flush a diaper or a wipe.
  4. Wipe down the changing surface if needed, following its care label, or throw away the disposable pad.
  5. Wash your hands with soap and water, and dry them well.

When to ask your nurse or midwife

Ask or call if you notice any of these, or if something simply worries you:

  • Redness that is not improving, or skin that looks broken, blistered or bleeding.
  • Anything around the cord stump or circumcision that worries you.
  • Stool or urine that looks different from what you were told to expect.
  • A baby who seems upset at every change.

Common questions

How often should I change my newborn?

As general hygiene practice, a dirty diaper is changed as soon as you notice it, and a wet one is not left on for long. How many changes a day to expect is a question for your nurse or midwife, who knows how your baby is doing.

Can I use plain water instead of wipes?

Some families do, with soft cloths and a bowl of warm water set out before the change starts. Ask your nurse or midwife what they suggest.

What if my baby wriggles?

Keep a hand on them, change on the floor if you can, and keep everything within reach so you do not turn away.

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