Great values by e-mail - sign up for  Sam's Club Insider
Diaper Duty

Diaper Duty

Provided by Healthy Start, Grow Smart

A clean baby is a happy baby, and although you may never be able to add it to your resume, there's a definite skill to changing a baby's diaper. Fortunately, it is a skill you will be able to develop through constant repetition in those first few months as a new parent.

First, get together everything you may need before changing your newborn's diaper. Diapers, clean washcloths, warm water, rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs (for umbilical cord care) rash ointment, powder and a changing pad and/or changing table are the must-haves of the diaper-duty set.

Newborns use about 10 diapers every day. To prevent rashes, change your baby as soon as the diaper is wet.

To change your baby's diaper:

  • Wash your hands well with soap and water both before and after changing your newborn's diaper.
  • Gently lay your baby on a clean surface. Remember to take along a blanket or changing pad when you go out.
  • Remove the dirty diaper.
  • Use a washcloth dipped in clean, lukewarm water. Wash all the area on your baby that the diaper covers, being careful to clean all the folds of your newborn’s skin. Always wipe from front to back to avoid infection.
  • Every time you change a diaper, be sure to clean your baby's umbilical cord. Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol, squeeze the swab so that it is almost dry and gently clean around the cord. The cord will fall off in five to 10 days. Your baby may cry when you touch the wet swab to the cord; check with your doctor if your baby cries at other times when the cord is touched or if the skin around the cord is red.
  • Place a clean diaper on your baby. If you are using pins, make sure to put your hand between the pin and your baby’s skin. Never let the diaper cover the umbilical cord.
  • Make sure to have a place to contain or dispose of the soiled diapers and washcloths.

Remember; never take your eyes off your baby once you start changing a diaper. Babies wiggle and move constantly and can get hurt or fall in an instant.

Healthy Start, Grow Smart: U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Back to Top

Back to Health, Nutrition & Safety

Important Sam's Club Disclaimer: All content, including but not limited to, recipe and health information provided is for educational purposes only. Such content is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. Such content does not cover all possible side effects of any new or different health program. Consult your medical professional for guidance before changing or undertaking a new diet or exercise program. Advance consultation with your physician is particularly important if you are under eighteen (18) years old, pregnant, nursing or have health problems.