7 Things Every New Parent Needs to Know About Diapering
In this Article
Motherhood is a lovely phase, isn’t it? You have your little baby in your arms, and there’s no dearth to the precious moments you two will be spending together. But, it’s the round-the-clock care for the baby and the sleepless nights that can make for challenging times, especially if you’re a first-time mother. You’ll receive well-meaning baby care advice from parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, neighbours, friends and pretty much everybody. What’s vital is that you get all your information right, while deciding what to choose for your baby. We’re here to talk about baby diapers! Yep, you’ll be needing a lot of diapers in the first few years, so why not make the best choice right now.
Diapering a baby is more than simply buying a pack of diapers and making your baby wear one. Of course, there are sizes and brands to consider, but what’s equally important is understanding that your baby’s diapering needs might be quite different from other babies. Let’s look at everything you need to keep in mind about diapering as a new parent.
Diapering 101
Diapering can be a little difficult at first. But don’t worry! Soon you’ll be able to handle it like a pro.
1. Choosing a Comfortable Diaper
Before you consider buying anything off the shelf, ask yourself this question- Will my baby be comfortable in this diaper? In this regard, opt for a diaper known for its softness like the Huggies Premium Soft Pants which has a breakthrough Silky Cocoon design that will keep your little one in complete comfort. Say goodbye to stiff, uncomfortable diapers and hello to a relaxed and comfortable baby. After all, a comfortable baby is a happy baby!
2. Selecting the Right Diaper Size
Diaper sizes are generally based on how much the baby weighs and their current stage of development. It’s important to get the fit right, as an ill-fitting diaper will do your baby no good. Here’s how to ensure that your baby is wearing the correct diaper size:
- Too many leaks or too much open space around your baby’s thigh means that you will need to opt for a size smaller. The diaper should be snug enough to fit just right around your baby’s thigh.
- Next comes the waistband. If you put your finger between the waistband and your baby’s skin, and if it feels restrictive, it will feel the same way for your baby too. The Huggies Premium Soft Pants has a cushiony Waistband which ensures a comfortable fit and leaves no red marks on your baby’s delicate skin.
- If the diaper’s not completely covering your baby’s bottom, then there will be leakages and blowouts, and it’s time to go a size up.
3. How Absorbent Is the Diaper?
Newborns urinate approximately 20 times a day! Could you believe that? The good news is that thanks to super-absorbent materials and the Bubble-Bed inner lining in Huggies Premium Soft Pants you will experience outstanding absorption. What the Bubble- Bed does is, it efficiently absorbs the liquid and evenly spreads it, keeping your baby’s skin dry. It also ensures that Huggies Premium Soft Pants lasts for up to 12 hours!
4. Essentials Needed for Diapering
There are a few basic essentials you will have to keep ready during the diaper change: moistened cotton wool balls or Huggies baby wipes; and a soothing ointment to prevent diaper rash. It is always best to keep a pacifier or a soother to distract your baby in case you encounter their little protests. Keep a diaper pail at hand too, so that you can instantly dispose of the soiled diaper.
5. Identifying When Your Baby Needs a Diaper Change
In a short period of time, you can begin to hear the differences in your baby’s cries and you will be able to determine if they are fussy, sleepy, hungry, or simply need a diaper change. Another way to understand if a change is required is if you feel your baby has suddenly gained some weight after their naps or in the morning.
Thankfully, there are also some ingenious diapers like the Huggies Premium Soft Pants that come with a wetness indicator and are a blessing for every mom. This indicator changes colour when your baby’s diaper is full and lets you know when it’s time for changing.
And finally, there’s the classic sniff test. If you can smell your baby’s dirty diaper from across the room, then it’s time to act!
6. Diaper Rash and How to Treat It
Diaper rash is as serious a problem as it sounds. These rashes resemble red patches on your baby’s buttocks and are caused due to stool and urine irritation or a tightly-fit diaper. Do not let your baby linger in wet diapers for long and change them immediately. This one exercise can greatly reduce the chances of the rashes. You can gently rub diaper rash creams or ointments on your baby’s bottom to soothe and heal their delicate skin. However, it is recommended that you opt for a 360-degree soft diaper like Huggies Premium Soft Pants which has softness inside-out that is friendly to your baby’s sensitive skin.
7. Disposing of a Used Diaper
When your baby soils their diaper, you cannot simply throw the diaper away. It’s best to keep a diaper pail for discarding these dirty diapers. Do keep some bio-degradable bags handy and seal the soiled diapers tightly in them for disposal.
There you go! Everything you need to know about diapering – from figuring out what type of diaper to use, right up to their disposal – these are all part and parcel of being a new mom. For every soiled bottom you clean, there’s so many cute giggles, gurgles, and cuddles to cherish! That’s not a bad deal at all, is it? Happy parenting!
Also Read:
Things to Consider When Picking a Diaper for Your Baby
Side Effects of Diapers on Babies
Diapers Usage – How Many Will Your Baby Need
