How to change a diaper with less mess

Learning how to change a diaper quickly and with little mess is a skill you’ll want to master as soon as possible. And with around 12 changes a day, you’ll certainly get plenty of practice

1. Be prepared

There’s nothing worse than going to change an explosive diaper only to find you’ve run out of wipes. So it’s a good idea to make sure your nursery is stocked full of supplies. Make sure you’ve got the following to hand: diapers, bags, cotton wool, wipes, a change of clothes and diaper cream. And before you get started, make sure you‘ve cleaned your hands to stop the spread of germs.

2. How to do it

You’ve got everything you need, but how do you actually change a diaper quickly and with as little mess as possible?

Step 1

Make sure you are changing your baby somewhere safe where they can’t roll off. If you’re changing station is off the ground, keep one hand on your baby at all times.

Step 2

Unfasten the tabs, but don’t take it away. Slowly pull down the front part of the dirty diaper. If you have a baby boy, they can sometimes wee as soon as they feel the air on their penis, so you might want to wait a few seconds to avoid getting splashed!

Step 3

If your little one has done a poo, use the front part of the diaper to wipe away most of the mess from the bottom, but be careful if you have a girl not to wipe any of it into her vagina.

Step 4

Gently lift your baby’s bottom off the changing mat by holding both ankles with one hand and lifting upwards. Tuck the front of the diaper under the bottom with the clean side facing up. If your little one decides to do another wee mid-change it can soak up any mess.

Step 5

Using wipes or cotton wool, clean your baby’s genital area making sure you wipe from front to back. Dispose of the dirty wipes or cotton wool into a diaper sack. Taking a clean wipe or piece of cotton wool, wash your baby’s bottom. Make sure you clean all those creases in your baby’s thighs too – you’ll be surprised just how far poo can spread.

Step 6

Leave your baby’s skin to dry for a few seconds or pat dry with a clean towel. If you want to apply a barrier cream, this is the time to do it. Now say goodbye to that dirty diaper and put it in a diaper bag.

Step 7

Unfold a clean diaper and slide the back half with the sticky tabs under your baby. Pull the front half up to your baby’s tummy. If you have a boy, point his penis downwards so that it doesn’t pop up over the top of the diaper. If your newborn has an umbilical cord stump, don’t cover it with the diaper – just fold down the top of the waistband.

Step 8

Finally, unfold the side tabs and fasten the diaper by pulling them across your baby’s tummy and sticking down. The diaper should be nice and snug. Phew, you’re all done — well, almost...

3. Cleaning up

Once your baby is dressed and somewhere safe, it’s time to clean up. Tie the bag containing the dirty wipes and diaper and dispose of them in a lidded bin. Wash down the changing mat and then wash your hands thoroughly. Lastly, make sure your supplies are restocked – you’re probably going to be using them again very soon!