Diapering Safety Essentials

Changing a Diaper

• Make sure the changing surface is solid and sturdy for changing baby
• Changing pads should have contoured sides, nonslip surface and an adjustable buckle
• On top of a dresser or on a table or on any level surface, secure the changing pad well
• Always stay with baby while on the changing table or pad
• Once baby is old enough to move and roll, always keep one hand on baby, use the other to reach for supplies
• Diapering items should be within your reach
• Keep lotions, creams, medicines out of baby’s reach
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling diapers from baby changing
• Use reliable fasteners for any type of diaper

Additional Diapering Safety for Cloth Diapers

• Wash and dry new cloth diapers several times to remove chemicals before use
• Consider the new unbleached cloth diapers for cloth diapering
• Use obvious caution with diaper pins
• Consider Snappi Fasteners instead of diaper pins. Make sure to choose the baby size snappi or the toddler size snappi. (These are sometimes misspelled snappy fasteners or nappy fasteners)
• Try the newer cloth diapers with built in easy cloth diaper fastener
• Learn several ways to fasten a cloth diaper 

Diapering Safety for Happy Babies

Baby skin is sensitive, so for baby health and baby safety, watch for rashes and other problems.

Diaper Rashes

Prevention of diaper rash is the best approach. Since moisture, urine and feces are the main irritants, with the possibility of some disposable diaper chemicals and plastics, here are some steps to minimize the occurrences.

• Change baby’s diaper as soon as it’s soiled, even at night
• Air out baby’s bottom as often as you dare, safest after a change or bath…
• Use baby soaps only once each day, warm water all other times. Soap actually dries out and irritates skin.
• Wipes are potential irritants, so experiment with brands. Do not use wipes on existing rashes.
• Make sure baby is dry before the new diaper goes on.
• Switch diaper brands or even try cloth diapers for persistent rashes
• Protective ointments create a barrier to protect the skin, but may irritate certain skin themselves. Try different brands if necessary.
• Generally avoid products with chemicals or fragrances

Urinary Tract Infections

Prevent baby UTI tips:

• Wipe from front to back to keep bacteria away from the urethra.
• Use non-scented or non-fragranced products on baby’s bottom
• Continue breastfeeding as long as possible for the antibodies baby needs.
• Give baby plenty of fluids to keep everything flushing

 Diapering Safety is really about common sense, though there were a couple of things I hadn’t thought of…
Now with diapering safety out of the way, find the diapers you can buy online for baby.