Diaper for new baby

Changing your baby's diaper is easy - you just need to stick to a routine. Here's a guide for how to do it:

Have everything you need to hand - changing mat, cloth, wipes or cooled boiled water, cotton wool, diaper disposal bags, and a couple of fresh diapers.

Choose a suitable diaper change spot: somewhere that he can't roll off, and where you don't have to strain to reach him, as your back muscles are still vulnerable.

Lay your baby on his back and undo the diaper. Lift your baby gently by holding both his feet and remove the used diaper, using it to wipe away as much solid waste as possible.

Carefully and gently wipe over your baby's diaper area, paying special attention to skin folds. You can use a wipe, or warm water and a cloth or cotton wool. For girls, wipe from front to back, to keep germs away from the vagina. For boys, clean around the penis and testicles, but don't pull back the foreskin. Check for diaper rash.

If necessary, dry your baby carefully with cotton wool or a dry cloth. Letting him kick his legs in the warm, dry air is a good way of reducing diaper rash.

Open out the diaper and slide your fingers down the side of the diaper to lift up the leak guards.

Lift your baby's legs up and place the clean diaper underneath (with the grip tabs at the back), so he's lying on it. The absorbent, soft side of the diaper should go against his skin, and the top edge of the diaper should be about level with the middle of his back.

Bring the front part of the diaper up between his legs and spread firmly around the tummy. If you have a boy, point his penis down in the diaper.

With one hand holding the diaper gently on baby, open up one Grip Tab and attach it to the front fabric fastening. Repeat for the other side.

Reposition the Grip Tabs to adjust the fit of your baby's diaper so they are comfortable. Double-check that the diaper is not too loose or too tight. Put your baby somewhere safe while you wash your hands and tidy up.

Remember if there are any solids in the diaper, dispose of these in the toilet. The used diaper can be rolled into a tight ball using the Grip Tabs to seal it.

DO NOT flush the diaper down the toilet.

The general rule for newborns is to change your baby about as often as you feed him. A lot of mums will change their baby in the middle of each feed. However you usually don't have to do it at every night feed.

Right from the start, your baby's diaper-changing time is a good time to have a 'conversation', as well as being a necessary part of the care you give. You're face to face with each other - so sing, tickle, talk and have fun!