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How to Change Baby Diapers

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A Step by Step Tutorial for Beginners: Mess Free, Clean Diaper Changes for Baby (and Parents)

Scared to change your first diaper? This step by step process will walk you through how to change a diaper from the beginning to end, including listing all of the diapering essentials you'll need on hand. Have a mess free, clean baby (and avoid some messes yourself) with these easy tips for changing a diaper.

Don't worry, once you get the hang of this, it's the easiest part of being a new parent! Here's a quick at-a-glance table of contents of this page:

How to Find the Right Size Diapers

Correct baby diaper measurements ensure a snug fit and no leaks!

Diapers aren't a one-size-fits-all problem, though that would be nice, wouldn't it? Instead, there are many different sizes for different bums. Most babies will use newborn size diapers. There are also preemie sizes for premature babies, too. For babies that were born near their due date, they will usually follow the diaper sizing charts available online (though not entirely reliable). Once your baby arrives and you have a birth weight, you will know what size they will be just by trying diapers on. Babies under 8 pounds usually fit into newborn sizes, however some babies will fit into newborn for another pound or two. Size one accommodates babies above 8 pounds.

When you find out what size your baby currently is, have the next size up of your preferred brand/style ready to use. Different brands size much differently. For example, Huggies ran much smaller than Earth's Best in my daughter's case.

Diaper Sizing Charts:

Diaper Sizes for all ages
Diaper Sizing Tool from Pampers

Research the Best Diaper Brands

Read online for reviews from other parents before purchasing

Buying diapers in store today is far, far more expensive than buying them online. They can be delivered to your door without having to pay for shipping (or put gas in your car for the trip out). The same can be said for formula and other supplies.

Rather than going through a painful trial and error process to find good diapers, search online at Diapers.com for the best reviewed diapers. You can also search Amazon.com, which also has low priced diapers.

Choose a brand and style that have at least four stars. There are hundreds of different fits, sizes, and brands to choose from, and you can separate the good from the bad by searching only for diapers with four stars or more (usually in the left or right column navigation). Once you find a brand that is priced right for you and doesn't seem to have any reactions with your baby's skin (and also does the job of holding the poop and pee), buy the next size up as well so you're ready for when baby grows.

Don't Forget the Diaper Wipes and Diaper Cream

Baby diaper essentials you need on hand at all times!

You have the diapers, now you need the wipes and the cream. Diaper wipes are straight forward, and also range in scent, size, price, and materials used. Some are chemical free, some are cheaply priced, some are convenient. Checking online reviews will help you make a decision on which brand you like best. I've tried a few brands, and I liked Lansinoh the best. Though it costs about one cent more per wipe, it uses fewer wipes and causes less skin irritations. The packaging also keeps the wipes sealed and wet.

Diaper cream should be on hand in case diaper rash occurs. This is a very frequent issue amongst babies, and can be remedied with more frequent diaper changes, changing diaper brands, in combination with using diaper cream after diaper changes.

Helpful links about diaper rash:

Natural Diaper Cream:

A great alternative to chemical filled baby creams

How to Tell if Your Baby's Diaper Needs to be Changed

Do the diaper sniff test!

There's only a few ways to tell if your baby's diaper needs to be changed. First, you can visibly see that they soiled the diaper. It could be puffy, or they just had that "I'm going right now!" look on their face. Second, the smell. You'll be able to smell it, especially when up close. Even urine has a distinct smell, and even makes the diaper puff out or is hard to the touch. Last, but not least, you can sometimes hear it. Newborns tend to let their poo be heard, so there won't be any mystery there.

Tip: Have all of baby's diaper changing essentials on diaper table shelf, in drawer, or nearby at all times.

How to Change a Baby's Diaper

Step by step process on how to change a baby - no mess!

Now, finally you're ready to change your first diaper! If you are in the hospital with your newborn, they should provide you with plenty of diapers that will fit your baby for the time being.

1First, place the baby on their back on a changing table or in a bassinet.
2Remove the pants or unsnap the bottom of the clothing. Remove the pants, or pull the onesie above their waistline
3Get a diaper wipe ready, and a new diaper ready. Unfasten the diaper. Disposable diapers have velcro stick side tabs which are fastened on the front. Do not remove the diaper yet.
4Pull the top front of the diaper down, and hold the baby's legs with your other hand. Pull the baby's legs back a little, allowing you to wipe the baby's rear. Wipe until clean, using as many wipes as you need. Wipe front to back, and check all folds for excrement.
5Use diaper cream if baby's anus or inside cheeks look irritated. Change diapers more regularly to remedy situation, and use cream regularly until problem goes away. Contact a doctor if the problem does not go away after a few days, or if it looks bloody or severely red (however note that regular diaper rash is very common!).
6Remove the diaper while still holding the baby's legs. Put used wipes inside diaper, and close it up. Put the new diaper down underneath them opened. Do this process quickly to avoid messes. Fasten the new diaper in the front, not the back. Put their clothes back on, and they're all changed!
7Congratulations, you've changed your first diaper!

Where to Find Diapers Cheap

The cheapest price for diapers anywhere

The biggest cost of a baby in the beginning is going to be diapers and food. These are both found at two online websites far cheaper than grocery stores, and even Wal-Mart. For the best prices, check out:

Diapers.com
They offer free shipping, and also refill services for diapers if you wish to have them automatically sent to you. The savings here are really substantial. Don't forget about food and other essentials, too. The price difference may shock you.

Amazon.com
Amazon also has free shipping for orders over $25 in most cases. They also have a diaper program to send automatically, and the prices are very competitive. Check both sites for your preferred brand to see which is cheaper.

What to Do With Used Diapers

Smelly used diapers go here!

Thinking of Going the Cloth Diaper Route?

This tutorial can give you instructions on how to change cloth diapers (aka reusable).

Have Any Other Quick Diapering Tips?

Which brands do you recommend?

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The Cheapest Diapers on Amazon

Just 16 cents per diaper!

Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers, Size 1-2, 192 Count - Packing May Vary

Amazon Price: $45.75 (as of 06/01/2012)

With plenty of great reviews, you can't beat the convenience or price factor of Huggies Snug and Dry. 560 reviewers and a solid 4 star rating, perfect for parents on a budget! All that, and free shipping, too. Be sure to grab everything on your list while you're at it. The prices are dirt cheap.

Waterproof Travel Changing Pad

Change baby on the go with this trusty pad!

Kushies Waterproof Change Pad (Assorted Colors & Patterns)

Amazon Price: $7.00 (as of 06/01/2012)

When you're on the go, you'll want something waterproof and dependable, yet small and travel friendly to take with you. You'll use in the car, on the floor, on diaper changing stations, and on the couch. Under ten bucks, and a real must have.

Squidoo