Level Up: Diapering

When you’re an expectant mom, you know diapers are going to be a big deal, but I don’t think it’s possible to get a grasp of just how big of a deal diapers will be part of your life, conversations, thoughts, and struggles in the first two years of raising your baby. I have spent the better part of the last twelve years changing diapers; I am so good now I can do it half asleep in the complete dark if I need to. My husband jokes that what takes him 8 wipes to clean up, I can do in 2 and a mess that takes him 3 minutes to change (while gagging), I can do under a minute while talking on the phone without missing a beat. (Hah, thanks, honey!)

Experts say that babies will use 2,000-3,000 diapers in the first year (!) and most of my babies wore diapers for two years and I have six babies – so that’s putting my expertise at diaper changing at least in the 20,000 diaper changes range. I’ve learned a lot of tips and tricks through trial and error over the years – so if you’re looking to level up your diaper change status, here are some pro tips:

Logistics

1. In the first 6 weeks of life, your baby’s diaper will be the best indicator of their healthy growth. Pay attention and track! (I have used this book for 6 out of 6 kids and it has great healthy growth charts to reference!)
2. Keep a stash of diapers & wipes on every floor of your house (and in your car!)
3. Do not forget to clean those creases inside of the hip joint!
4. No wipes? A wet paper towel will work in a pinch
5. Wipes are dry because someone left the container open? Just add a few tsps of water in the pack to renew!
6. Set up a recurring delivery service for diapers, wipes, and aquaphor – save yourself the headache and panic!
7. Um, just hold your breath when you change the diaper trash can.
8. Teach your child the diaper change baby sign (10+months)
9. Speed trick: While the dirty diaper is still on your baby, open a clean diaper and place it under your baby. Open the dirty diaper, clean your baby (put dirty wipes on dirty diaper). Roll the dirty diaper up and remove. The clean diaper is already placed for you to just close it up!
10. When your baby starts peeing through their diaper overnight – move up a size! (even if only at bedtime)
11. Double your waterproof/crib sheet combo so that if the baby wets through in the middle of the night, you can just remove the top waterproof/crib sheet and there is already another combo waiting underneath while you’re half asleep.
12. Diapers and washing machines are not friends. Diapers will explode 8 million tiny gel crystals everywhere when too wet. (also if you wait too long to change the morning diaper!) They are a horrible pain to clean up.
13. If you ever find yourself with a surplus of unopened diapers – reach out to your local women’s help center to donate (or post on your local facebook community help page to donate).
14. Flush the solid poo down the toilet before tossing the diaper in the trash to avoid stinky garbage cans! (Submitted by Heather)
15. Use puppy training pads on the changing table and stash some in your diaper bag. They are disposable and perfect to collect all the soiled items in the case of a poo-tastrophe (Submitted by Cassandra)

Obstacles:

1. Infant Boys: as soon as the air hits them, they are going to pee! Either flap the diaper open for a moment and close (so he pees in the diaper), or toss a wipe over him. Otherwise, you will be cleaning up pee off of you or the wall behind the changing table.
2. Crocodile roll (7-12 months): put something in their hand that will distract them from trying to roll away – I have found that a mini hair clips work great! Clasp it to their fingers and they focus on trying to remove it instead of rolling.
3. Whining/Crying baby: sing to them! Our favorite nursery rhyme to sing during diaper changes is “How much is that doggy in the window” because the baby/toddler participates, so they are focusing on listening for ‘their’ barking part instead of whining about the diaper change.
4. Diaper Rash Quick Fix!
5. No changing table in a public bathroom? Sit on the toilet, use your lap as a table. You will need to lean back a bit (ab workout!), but in an emergency – you can get it done!
6. Diaper blow out (up the back): onesies can be removed down over the shoulders instead of going over the babies head!
7. Poop in the tub: somedays just be like that. Sorry, no way around this one. Drain tub, clean tub, re-bath baby.

What other tips & tricks should we add to this list? I know you daycare teachers/superheroes have got some up your sleeves! Let me know so I can add them to the list!

Related posts:

Diaper Rash Quick Fix from a Mom of six! 5 songs for your toddler that are NOT Baby Shark What to do when your baby is bored First 5 baby signs to teach your 8-10 month old & FREE Printable!