Ah well – diapering is one of those sidekicks of parenting that you may wish somebody else could take care of some of the time. With newborn babies, diapering seems to be a non-ending process.

Diaper changing may seem a little complicated at the beginning. New dads especially may take a little time to get used to the wailing baby, and everything else that goes with diapering. But with a little practice, you will soon see that keeping a baby dry and clean is a piece of cake!

The most important thing is to keep all necessary supplies at hand. Never start the changing process with your supplies strewn here and there. Some of the essentials you’ll need are:

- A diaper
- Diaper Pins (for cloth diapers)
- Baby Wipes or warm water and cotton balls
- A changing table, or a changing pad where you can place the baby while you diaper him

Diapers usually come in various sizes and shapes. Two broad categories are: disposable and cloth diapers. Disposable diapers are usually more expensive. But they are easy to put on and easy to use while traveling. Cloth diapers, of course, need diaper pins to keep them in place. Regular washing, drying and hygiene are some hassles associated with cloth diapers. For the baby, cloth diapers are comfortable and healthy. Diaper rashes are less likely when clean cotton cloth diapers are used.

How to get it on:
Hold your baby’s feet firmly while changing. DON’T LET GO of those feet. Once you have removed the soiled diaper, first clean the baby’s bottom with the unused part of the diaper. This is just so that there is less mess for you to wash off your changing table. While wiping your baby, many parents use wipes. However, soft cotton balls dipped in warm water are the safest. Always wipe the baby from front to back. Wiping the other way – back to front – will cause any infections to spread; in girls, this may even lead to urinary infections. Never forget to wipe the creases in the buttocks and thighs.

If you are changing a boy, keep a clean diaper over his penis if you don’t want to get a liberal sprinkling while changing him. Exposure to air causes boys to urinate.

Once finished, pat the baby completely dry. You may use a light coat of cornstarch powder to ensure that the bottom and creases are completely dry. Airing the baby’s bottom for a few minutes is a good idea. Before you put on clean diapers, make sure that there is not residue of powder stuck to creases. If a diaper ointment is needed, apply it and allow it to get absorbed into the skin for a few minutes. When diapering a boy, place the penis in a downward position before fastening the diaper.

Disposable diapers are easy to put on. The only trick is to learn to tape the adhesives quickly before your baby wiggles out of the correct position. Do not diaper the baby too tight. As a rule, you should be able to place a finger between the diaper and the thigh, and it should not feel too tight. Cloth diapers will need safety pins to hold them in place. Folding the cloth properly may require some practice.

Always wash your hands before and after a change. NEVER ever leave your baby alone while you collect the necessary materials for diapering. Even a young infant may astonish you by rolling off the changing table in a split second.