Nothing’s worse than waking up at 4am, walking into every piece of furniture in the dark, only to discover the hidden package in your baby’s diaper has escaped all over the changing pad. To top it all off, now that the baby is awake, he/she is ready for some play time, so what’s better than getting into the mess they’ve created down there...long story short, we’re here to help.
From blowouts, overnight leaks, and surprise showers to diaper rash and newborn’s first poopy diaper, we’ve been through it all so here are 20 diaper-changing hacks that we think are life-saving to say the least.
How to change a diaper...like a pro:
USE COCONUT OIL OR OLIVE OIL FOR MECONIUM
- For your newborn's first poopy diaper, use coconut oil to help clean and soothe their bottom from the meconium
PLACE A BABY WIPE ON THEIR BELLY
- Placing a cool wipe right below your newborn’s belly button will encourage them to finish peeing before removing their diaper.
DITCH THE DIAPER CHANGING PAD COVERS
- Changing pad covers will typically need to be washed everyday or every other day. It’s much easier to simply clean up the plastic changing pad.
GET A NURSERY NIGHT LIGHT
Image Source: amazon.com
- Make sure it is motion activated and not super bright so as to not wake up the baby too much. Also try a red light bulb in the nursery lamp. It is easier on your baby's eyes.
USE THE ONESIE WISELY
- The tabs on the shoulders of a onesie make it easy to remove the newborn’s clothes downward rather than over their head in the case of a blowout.
USE A MAKEUP BRUSH TO APPLY BABY DIAPER RASH CREAM
- It can be difficult to use your finger to apply baby bum cream to a moving baby, so instead try an unused make-up brush or the baby diaper cream brush.
HAVE DIAPER CHANGING TIME BABY TOYS
- Newborns can get fussy during diaper change, so be sure to have small easy to clean baby toys next to the diaper changing table.
HAVE A STOCKPILE OF BABY DIAPERS
Image Source: believediapers.com
- Babies grow out of newborn sized diapers quickly so be sure to have a large variety of different sized baby diapers on hand.
BABY DIAPERS HAVE A LINE ON THE FRONT THAT CHANGES COLOR
- This happens when the baby's diaper is wet. This helps parents know when it’s time for a dry one without peeking inside. Just remember not to change right away, give your baby a chance to finish.
FOLD DIAPERS DOWN WHEN THE UMBILICAL CORD IS FALLING OFF
- While this is healing, you don’t want it to get in any of the messes inside the diaper, so fold the diaper down to keep it uncovered to prevent an infected umbilical cord. Some baby diapers like ours even have a belly button cutout to make things easier for you.
HAVE A NEW DIAPER READY FOR A QUICK SWAP
- For a fast and cleaner diaper change, place a clean one under your baby’s bottom/dirty diaper. This is especially helpful for surprise blowouts.
USE ONESIES AS THE ULTIMATE IMMOBILIZER
Image Source: littlesleepies.com
- Roll the onesie up over your baby’s arms. This keeps their little hands from going into the mess downstairs.
IF YOU HAVE A BOY, POINT THEIR PEE-PEE DOWN IN THE DIAPER
- This prevents the pee from going up rather than down in the diaper. Also ditch the peepee teepee, instead simply use a washcloth or any other cloth.
USE BIGGER BABY DIAPER SIZES FOR NIGHTTIME WEAR
- Larger diapers hold more pee (which means you don’t have to change as often) and are less likely to leak.
DOG POOP BAGS WORK THE SAME AS DISPOSABLE DIAPER BAGS
- You can get a bunch of doggy waste bags for much cheaper than the disposable diaper bags. Just because it says baby on it, doesn’t mean there aren’t cheaper alternatives.
GIVE YOUR BABY A CHANCE TO FINISH
- Wait a few minutes for your baby to finish so that you don’t run the risk of multiple diaper changes in a very short period of time.
LET YOUR BABY HAVE SOME TIME WITHOUT THE DIAPER ON TO HELP RELIEVE DIAPER RASH
- If diaper rash couldn’t be prevented, allow your baby some SUPERVISED diaper free time in order to dry it out a bit.
GO WITH BAMBOO
- By using bamboo wipes and diapers, like ours, you'll reduce the risk of diaper rash and itchy baby eczema.
BE SMART AND PREPARED ON THE GO
- Don’t get caught in diaper changing disasters on the road. Here’s what you should bring/have in the car at all times: stash of baby diapers andbaby wipes, ziploc or plastic bags for any soiled clothes or diapers (biodegradable plastic bags are recommended), a change of clothes in case things go south, portable changing mat and baby butt cream.
DITCH THE CHEMICALS
- Look for baby diapers that are free of harsh chemicals that can cause health problems for your little one. Try to stay away from the following ingredients of traditional disposable baby diapers: chlorine, latex, alcohol, PVCs, lotions or phthalates. Here at Believe Diapers, we pride ourselves on making premium diapers free from harmful chemicals and additives.
Have any other tips you swear by? Feel free to share them below in the comments. Also, if any of these hacks saved the day, we want to hear those comments as well!
By: Erin Pasquet
Birth and Postpartum Doula
Childbirth Educator
Certified Lactation Counselor
Pre/Post Natal Yoga Teacher
