Baby Nappies – The Training Manual For The Man In Training
So — your new baby is about to be born or has just been born and you are absolutely clueless about how to change babies nappies? And the thought of the gruesome discoveries you may encounter when you do is enough to make you shudder?
Rest easy, my friend. Mother Nature, in all her wisdom, equips new fathers with an astonishing array of skills you would never have believed possible only nine months ago. One of these skills is the ability to deal with baby nappies without collapsing in a heap on the floor.
For the purposes of this exercise, we are going to ignore disposable nappies and assume that you are a modern, new age dad who cares about the environment and the future your new son or daughter will inherit; so we are going to focus on the guerilla tactics necessary to outfit baby in more eco-friendly cloth nappies.
The 10 Step Guide to Putting on a Nappy
1. Before you do anything, make sure you have all the supplies you will need beforehand.
Your list of supplies will include: the baby (goes without saying!), a freshly laundered cloth nappy, nappy pins, baby powder, a moisture resistant gel or cream, and a plastic nappy cover (often referred to as “pilchers”).
Other items you will require are baby wipes, which could be the disposable variety or if you prefer, a warm damp washer, and a disposable liner for extra leakage protection.
2. Lay your nappy on a flat surface. Turn your square nappy around so it forms the shape of a diamond and fold the top triangular corner over about 3/4 of the way down the diagonal sides.
Then fold the bottom triangular corner up about ½ way along the diagonal sides.
The remaining two sides are folded towards the centre of the nappy so they meet in the middle.
The proportions may need to be adjusted depending on the size of your baby. As an example, for a new-born you may need to make the diagonal folds at a wider angle to make the size of the nappy, once it’s folded, smaller.
If you are using disposable liners, place the liner in the centre of your nappy and then place your carefully folded nappy aside but within easy reach.
3. Now comes the fun part – removing the wet/dirty nappy!
This is a good time to give baby a small toy to distract him or her, or for a new-born, try a colourful mobile above the change table which he or she can focus on.
Remove the outer plastic lining and then carefully remove the nappy pins. Make sure you place the pins well out of the way of baby. A small pillow beside the change table can be used to gently dig the pins into so they are within reach but safely out of harm’s way.
4. If the nappy is wet, lift baby’s bottom so you can remove the nappy and place it in the nappy bucket, which you will have remembered to put beside the change table. You did remember, didn’t you?
If the nappy is soiled, use the inside top of the nappy to wipe away the excess and then gently remove it from under baby, wiping with the nappy as you go. Fold it over carefully and place in the nappy bucket for later disposal.
5. Using a nappy wipe, carefully wipe baby’s bottom clean. This is important because any traces left behind will irritate your little one’s skin and possibly result in nappy rash.
6. Next, apply a small amount of calming nappy lotion all around baby’s bottom. Nappy lotion provides a wetness barrier and keeps your baby healthy and happy.
7. If you use baby powder, sprinkle a small amount on baby’s skin.
8. Once you are satisfied that your precious little bundle is clean, dry and smelling like…well…a baby, it’s time to put the new nappy on.
With your left hand, take hold of both your baby’s feet between your index finger and ring finger with your middle finger between his or her feet. Using the other hand, grab hold of the clean baby nappy in the centre so the folded ends remain together.
Raise your left hand so baby’s bottom is off the change table and carefully slide the new nappy underneath so the top edge is at the same height as baby’s waist. Are you still with me?
Of course, if you’re left-handed, reverse this instruction.
Grab hold of each side piece and bring them in towards the middle front and then pull the section between baby’s legs up to meet the side pieces.
9. To avoid mistaking baby’s delicate folds of skin for a layer of nappy, put your hand under the nappy where you are going to place the nappy pin and then carefully insert it so it captures both the top layers and clip the safety pin.
Repeat the process on the opposite side so the nappy is firm and snug. This is important because if the nappy is too loose you risk major leakage problems or worse, the nappy falling off altogether.
10. And the final step in the process is to add the plastic pants one leg at a time.
Now…how simple was that, I ask you?
Changing your little bundle of joy is a time for bonding, so talk to him or her, tell a story, tickle and play as much as possible.
You’ll quickly find that changing baby’s nappies is not the chore you had nightmares over but a time to delight in this wonderful little gift of life and love you brought into the world.
Sources:
Refer to my children!
