The R+F Blog

How to change a diaper

How to change a diaper

How to change a baby’s diaper

First time changing a diaper? Follow this simple step-by-step guide and save for later.

  Grab your supplies:

    • Change table or change mat
    • A fresh diaper (Rascal + Friends, of course!)
    • Baby wipes or wash cloth
    • Diaper cream or ointment
    • Change of clothes for your baby (in case of a blowout)
    • Disposable bag or bin

      Follow these simple steps:

      1. Get ready with your change table or change mat, and a fresh diaper.
      2. Lay your baby down on their back and remove the used diaper. Dispose of the diaper by rolling it into a bundle, and sealing it with the grip tabs.
      3. Gently clean your baby’s diaper area, taking extra care to clean between the folds of the skin where moisture can get trapped. You can use baby wipes, like Rascal + Friends sensitive wipes, or a damp washcloth. For girls, wipe front to back. For boys, use the front of the diaper to cover their diaper area as you clean (and to protect yourself from any surprise sprays!)
      4. If necessary, apply a diaper ointment or cream and allow to completely air dry. You can read more about how to treat diaper rash in this article.
      5. Open the fresh diaper so the inside is facing up toward you.
      6. Open the two grip tabs (on either side of the diaper), untuck the double leak guards (elasticated sides that run down the diaper) and soft leg cuffs (ruffled-like material). These should sit flat on your baby’s skin.
      7. Gently raise your baby’s legs and lower body by their ankles, and slide the fresh diaper underneath. Their bum should be in the middle of the diaper.
      8. Pull the front the diaper (side closest toward you) up and over your baby’s diaper area. The Rascal + Friends logo on the front of the diaper should be facing you.
      9. If necessary, untuck the double leak guards and soft leg cuffs. These should sit flat on their skin.
      10. Secure the strong grip tabs, by folding them up and over your baby’s hip. These should sit comfortably on your baby’s hip – no need to make the fastening too tight. The tabs are also resealable.

    Did you know: On average, each baby will have 3,500 diaper changes before they are toilet trained

    How the diaper should fit

    Made with seriously good features, Rascal + Friends premium diapers also have a unique fit. Here’s a few tips on how the diapers should fit:

      Our high back waistband is soft and stretchy, designed to sit a little higher on your baby’s back. This makes for a comfy and snug fit to reduce the chance of sneaky leaks or blowouts.

      Our soft leg cuffs and double leak guards should not be tucked in, as they help to contain sneaky leaks. Be sure to unfold them when opening a new diaper, and sit them flat on your baby’s skin.

      We recommend choosing a diaper size based on your baby’s weight. Our diaper calculator helps you find the right size and an estimate of how many diapers you’ll use per day.

    If your baby is in-between sizes, contact our Customer Love team to get their expert advice on the perfect Rascal + Friends fit.

    Our strong grip tabs are resealable, but designed to stay in place once fastened. They should sit comfortably on your baby’s hips when fastened.

    Our diapers have a stretchy high back waistband and strong grip tabs, which can sit further apart when fastened onto the front of the diaper.

    Our fit means that when the diaper is on your little one, it should be snug on their tummy (pulled up just under their belly button) and at the same level on their back.

    Learn more about our seriously good features here.

    How often you should change their diaper

    Babies need frequent diaper changes to keep their skin clean, fresh and to help prevent diaper rash. If your baby has sensitive skin, changing their diaper as soon as they wet themselves can prevent further irritation.

    It is recommended that your baby’s diaper is changed as soon as possible when they have done a poo.

    Newborns may need changing as many times as 10 to 12 times a day, while older babies average 6 to 8 times per day.

    Knowing when to change their diaper

    • For sizes 1 and 2, our premium diapers have a wetness indicator (on the center line of the diaper) that changes color from yellow to blue when the diaper is full and should be changed.
    • For larger sizes without a wetness indicator, the core of the diaper will swell, indicating that it is ready to be changed.

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