Topic: Infant Health Care
This handout was written to answer some of the questions parents ask about diapering their infant. Feel free to ask your doctor or nurse practitioner to go over any information you do not understand.
When should I change my baby’s diaper?
A good time to change your baby’s diaper is before or right after the baby eats or sleeps. Usually a baby will have a wet diaper at feeding times.
You may have to change it before and after depending on how often your baby wets or has a bowel movement (also called stools). Rashes can begin if the skin rubs against a wet diaper, so it is best to keep your baby dry.
Be sure to clean your baby’s skin well when changing a diaper. You can buy disposable wipes or use a regular wet wash cloth. Be sure to clean between the folds of the skin well. Clean from the front to the back with little girls. If your little boy is not circumcised, just wash him off with a wet wash cloth. Do not retract the foreskin for routine cleansing. Your baby’s doctor will talk with you about cleansing under the foreskin when your son is older (about 2-5 years).
If you use your own cloth diapers, be sure to wash them in a gentle soap (like Dreft [trademark]). Rinse well to remove all the soap.
What should a “normal” stool look like?
In the first few days of life, bowel movements (stools) are thick, sticky and almost black. This is called a meconium stool and is normal. Slowly this will turn lighter and be less thick and sticky. This is called a transitional stool.
After about a week, breast-fed babies usually have light yellow, loose stools several times a day. Babies who are fed formula have more formed, “thicker” stools less often. If your baby has not had a stool for over 48 hours and seems uncomfortable, call your baby’s doctor. If you think your baby’s stools are not normal in color or texture, check with your baby’s doctor.
What can I do if my baby develops a diaper rash?
If your baby develops a rash, ointments such as Desitin (TM) or A & D Ointment (TM) might help. It might also help if you give your baby a bath more often. If your baby is not rolling over or crawling yet, you can also try to clear up the rash by leaving your baby’s diaper open to air. Be sure to keep your baby away from drafts. If you have tried everything mentioned here, but your baby’s rash gets worse or will not go away, call your baby’s doctor.
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