How To Know When To Change Diapers
As the baby starts feeding on mother’s milk, the baby will need a nappy change every one to three hours. This means changing diapers at least ten to twelve times in a day. You can make your own schedule for changing diapers. Start early morning, the moment you wake up. Although the baby may be sleeping, if you check the diaper you will find that it’s likely wet. Because morning is when the maximum time has elapsed since the last diaper was changed.
Scheduling Diaper Changes
Thereafter make it a habit of changing diapers after every feed and/or when you put the baby to sleep. During the day, a baby may need around four to six changes of diapers. Often a baby may not cry even when the diaper is wet and soggy. You will need to check every time once in an hour at least, to ascertain if the diaper is wet. Long exposure to a wet diaper will make the baby’s skin develop rashes. This is painful and irritating for babies.
Diaper Changes During Night
Before putting the baby to sleep you can use a disposable diaper. Even if you use cloth diapers, it would be convenient for you to use disposable diapers during the night. Disposable diapers can absorb a lot of moistures while keeping the surface dry. This helps the baby sleep undisturbed. During the night, if the baby wakes up for feeding, it is advisable to change the diapers after the feed so that the baby can sleep peacefully. Else the baby may wet the diaper sooner and this will wake the baby up and disturb the baby’s sleep and make the baby irritable.
Disposable Diapers
In case of disposable diapers, though they are able to absorb a lot of moisture, it is difficult to know if they are wet. You can only ascertain from the weight, and the soggy and lumpy appearance that the diaper is wet. Some disposable diapers have a wetness indicator which becomes visible when the diaper is wet. As the disposable diapers last longer, be extra careful to change when they are wet.
It is necessary that the diapers are always dry. This is because the urine and the poo help build up bacteria that makes the baby’s skin sore and results in nappy rash.
Taking Care Of The Baby During Diaper Changes
Once you become familiar with the baby’s routine and habits, it will become easier to predict when the baby needs a change of diapers. At times it would be desirable to have some nappy-free time while changing the diapers. These will give the baby’s skin a chance to breathe and will make the baby feel happy at being free of any restraint. Use a diaper rash cream to prevent and heal rashes. The ones with zinc oxide acts as a barrier to moisture and keep the skin dry. For minor rashes A&D creams are soothing to the baby.
