Family Birth Center
Diapering the Baby
To change the diaper, unpin or unfasten the diaper. Place
the infant on its back, grasping both ankles in one hand,
lift baby up and remove soiled diaper. Wash baby's bottom
and genital area well with soap and water or baby wipes.
Apply a clean diaper. Fold the front edge of the diaper
below the umbilical cord to help air dry the cord. If baby
is fussy between feedings, check for a wet diaper.
Change the diaper before a feeding and whenever your baby
needs it. The handling and stimulation before a feeding will
help wake the baby up and prepare for a feeding. Hold your
baby's leg with one hand and use moistened wipes to clean
the diaper area with a front-to-back motion.
On girls, gently separate the labia. Wipe gently down each
side and down the middle from top to bottom using a separate
cotton ball dipped in clear water for each motion. Some little
girls have a small amount of vaginal bleeding. This is caused
by hormones passed to her through her mother and should not
cause any concern.
For circumcised infant boys, simply wash the head of the
penis with clear water. Wash the penis of uncircumcised boys
thoroughly and gently. Don't pull back foreskin.
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