Baby Nappy Changing

When you have a baby, you will have to get used to constant rounds of nappy changing. Especially in the beginning, when your baby will be filling several nappies a day, you will be changing nappies often.

Among the baby gifts that you may receive after the birth will be several kinds of baby bags, and if you are really lucky Grandma might even treat you to a designer baby changing unit.

Let’s take a look at the process of nappy changing and learn how to integrate it more easily into your daily routine.

A Changing Table or a Changing Mat?

Either just before or just after a baby is born, many parents will buy new furniture for the nursery. Apart from a cot for the baby, many parents will also buy a changing table. This table is at a convenient height for you to bend slightly to change the baby’s nappy. It includes a ledge with a little mattress for the actual nappy change, and shelves underneath for storing the materials that you will need.

But before you buy a changing table, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you really have the budget for the deluxe changing station that caught your eye in the shop? There can be a lot of expenses after birth, especially if this is your first baby.
• Even if you find cheap changing tables, do you have space to fit this extra piece of furniture into the baby’s room? If the baby has their own nursery, you may have room. But if you are a young couple starting out in a small one-bedroom flat, and the baby is sleeping in with you in the meantime, a changing table is probably not for you.

For further discussion on whether you actually need a changing table, click here.

If you decide that nappy changing tables are not for you, a better option is to buy a changing mat. Changing mats are useful because they are portable, inside the house as well as out. Even though many shopping centres and airports provide a changing station, this does not apply to all public areas. So when you go out, you should take a change mat with you.

The Safe Guide Changing Nappies

Another important aspect of using a changing table is safety. Even when your little one is too small to roll over, never ever walk away, leaving the baby lying unattended. If you think you have forgotten something, you will have to pick the baby up and carry them with you, even if they are already undressed.

Here is a list of ways to make changing easier and safer:

• If you do have a changing unit, make sure that your stock of nappies and other changing equipment is complete before you start changing the nappy.
• If you are using a change mat that you have placed on a bed, the floor, or the sofa, you need to get everything you need ready first. Put a disposable nappy, cream, baby lotion, baby wipes, a small, soft towel, a cloth nappy, a nappy bag, and a change of baby clothing in position.
• Pick up your baby, telling them that you are about to change their nappy and make them feel nice and clean.
• Spread the cloth nappy, which will make the changing mat and/or table feel more comfortable, and put your baby on top.
• Undress your baby and remove the soiled nappy, putting it inside the baby nappy bag.
• Use a gentle baby wipe to remove the dirt and then put on a little baby lotion to keep baby’s skin soft. If your baby is sore, you should use a medicated baby cream. In that case, make sure that the baby’s bottom is dry first. Pat dry gently, using the soft towel.
• Dress the little one in the clean nappy and baby clothes.
• Give your baby a cuddle and tell them they are all clean.

Changing Bag Secrets

Whenever you go out of the house, you should always take a baby bag with you. Inside, apart from several nappies, you should include a dummy, a change of baby clothing, wet wipes, baby cream and lotion, some nappy bags, a baby changing mat and a couple of cloth diapers.