Caring for an infant can be full of surprises, fears and learning experiences, and changing a baby’s diaper often includes a bit of all three. There is more to changing a diaper than one may expect. What kind of diapers should you use? How do you use them? What if the baby cries? Why is the baby’s butt red? How often should I change my baby? How will I know my baby needs to be changed? What do I do about diapers when not at home? Is there a difference between diapering a girl and a boy? These are just some of the questions a parent might find themselves asking as a newbie to diaper changing. The tips below will help you to get some of these answers and make diaper changing an easier process all-around.

Whether you're a beginner at diaper changing, or you're an old pro looking for new ideas, there are lots of different techniques and ideas to pick up to keep your baby safe, keep the messes under control, and keep you happy and sane. This simple guide on how to diaper a baby will help you to breathe a little easier at diaper time, and hopefully save you money, time, and worry.

You should begin the preparation for diapering your baby before he or she is even born. This is because the first step to diapering a baby is to choose your diaper. There are a few different types of diapers and hundreds of different brands. The two main types of diapers are cloth and disposable.

Cloth Diapers

A cloth diaper is a re-usable diaper made of usually bleached or unbleached cotton. The diaper is washed by the parent or a diapering service after each use. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-different-types-of-diapers.htm

Here is a brief overview of the types of cloth diapers:

• Fitted Cloth Diapers: This is a pre-made cloth diaper with elastic to fit around the legs and waist. The diaper has buttons or snaps and requires no pins. This type often has a water proof cover that is separate from the diaper itself.

• All in One Cloth Diapers: These are exactly the same as a fitted diaper but the water proof cover is attached to the diaper. An absorbent material is often placed between the two layers to absorb any overflow. This piece may or may not be removable.

• Pocket Cloth Diapers: Again similar to a fitted diaper but contain a pocket where an absorbent material is placed. That material may or may not be disposable.

• Contoured Cloth Diapers: These are hourglass shaped cloth pieces. They do not have elastic but are cut to fit the babies shape. These diapers often require diaper pins.

• Flat and Pre-folded Cloth Diapers: These can be just a piece of cloth that you fold into a diaper on your own, or a piece of cloth pre-folded to be used as such. These diapers require pins.http://www.babycenter.com/0_cloth-diapers-a-quick-guide-to-your-choices_10320145.bc

Disposable Diapers

Disposable diapers can be purchased just about anywhere. They are made of a disposable but absorbent material, have pre-attached closures and are thrown away after use. Pampers, Huggies and LUVS are a few well known brands of disposable diaper. http://inventors.about.com/od/dstartinventions/a/Diapers.htm

Cloth Versus Disposable

• Cost: In general it is found that cloth diapering is a cheaper route though more expensive upfront to buy the diapers.
• Health Wise: Cloth and Disposables are about the same. Some feel that disposable diapers increase the occurrence of diaper rash. However this is not supported factually.
• Environmentally: Cloth diapers have a smaller impact on the environment, but do still have an effect.
• Convenience: Though newer cloth diapers have become far easier to use, disposables are still generally considered more convenient by most parents.http://www.thenewparentsguide.com/diapers.htm

In the end, which diapers you use will depend entirely on you and on your baby’s skin. It may be easiest to try out a few at first. Buy a cloth diaper or two and a few small packs of disposables and experiment.

Before removing a baby’s diaper you should have all of the necessary items ready and on hand in an organized and clean area.

The Diapering Area:

Some parents simply spread a blanket on the floor, couch, bed, etc and use this as a changing area. Others purchase changing tables. A changing table is usually a waist high dresser or cabinet with a padded top that is higher on the edges than in the center to create a curved surface preventing the baby from rolling off. The under area of the table is used for storing diapering materials. http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-buy-a-changing-table_1702.bc

No matter where you choose to change your baby, the area should be clean, safe, warm and prepared. If your chosen location is off the ground, be sure the baby cannot roll off or fall. It’s a good idea to have something washable or water proof underneath the baby in case of accidents. The area should be warm, as crying during diaper changes is often a result of the temperature change with younger babies. If the baby does cry, don't worry. He or she will typically calm down once you have finished and picked your child back up. Many parents, when having a set diapering location will hang decorations or mobiles on the walls/ceiling to distract baby during changing, which can reduce crying.

The Diapering Materials:

To change a diaper you will need:

1. The diaper of your choosing from step one of the how to guide.
2. Something to wipe the baby with, such as diaper wipes, home made or purchased. You can also use a clean wet cloth or moist cotton balls.
3. A place to dispose of the diaper. (Trash for disposables, and diaper bin or laundry for cloth.)

Some optional items that may be used or you may want to have in your home:

1. Diaper rash ointment or petroleum jelly.
2. Cornstarch or baby powder.
3. A towel http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/basics/diapering.html

Diapering a little boy is rather different than changing a little girl's diaper. Because of this, the two have been separated into different steps. If you are diapering a girl, see step four of this how to guide. In the case of either sex, a red butt is often a sign of diaper rash. See this guide on how to treat diaper rash for more information.

Some General Tips and Advice on Changing an Infant Boy’s Diaper

1. The exposure to air tends to make little boys pee. To prevent being peed on, unclasp the diaper, lift it for a moment or even blow a bit on the area, and then place the diaper back down. In most cases the baby will pee.
2. Always tuck the penis down before clasping the diaper as if it ends up in an upward position when the baby pees again it will often leak out the top of the diaper.
3. Always be sure to lift the scrotum and check beneath it as poop and other unpleasantries can become trapped in this location.
4. In the case of uncircumcised boys or circumcised boys with a bit of foreskin remaining, be sure to pull back the skin and clean it periodically. In the case of circumcised boys with enough foreskin remaining to cover part of the head of the penis, this will also prevent penile adhesion.
5. If you hear the baby going to the bathroom, wait a few minutes to be sure he is finished before changing. Some babies will go a little bit, wait, and then continue going. Beginning to change before the baby is finished can be very messy.
   
   

How to Diaper a Boy

1. Lay the baby on his back in your chosen diapering area.
2. Unlatch the diaper and use the front portion to wipe the majority of any fecal matter from the baby in one smooth downward wipe.
3. Grab the baby by the ankles and gently lift his bottom from the surface and either remove the diaper and dispose of it, or fold the clean half over the dirty half to remain under the baby during changing.
4. Clean the baby with your chosen wipe. Be sure to get all the cracks, between the legs and in the folds of the skin.
5. Remove the dirty diaper if you haven’t yet done so and dispose of it.
6. Place a clean diaper below the baby and apply any ointment, powder or cream desired.
7. Securely latch the new diaper to your baby. This step will vary by the type of diaper you have chosen. http://www.babycenter.com/0_diapering-your-baby-step-by-step-instructions_3833.bc<ref>

Some General Tips and Advice on Changing an Infant Girl’s Diaper

1. Always wipe front to back to prevent transfer of bacteria which can cause infection.
2. Baby girls are more prone to infection. It is very important to change them frequently.
3. Be sure to check any and all cracks and wrinkles for fecal matter. As odd as it may sound, this includes the outer area of the vagina.
4. Alhough actual spray of pee is less likely in girls, they can pee during a changing. Be sure there is a washable or waterproof surface below the baby.
5. If you hear the baby going to the bathroom, wait a few minutes to be sure she is finished before changing. Some babies will go a little bit, wait, and then continue going. Beginning to change before the baby is finished can be very messy.http://babymed.com/Blog/Blog.aspx?309
   
   

How to Diaper a Girl

1. Lay the baby on her back in your chosen diapering area.
2. Unlatch the diaper and use the front portion to wipe the majority of any fecal matter from the baby in one smooth downward wipe.
3. Grab the baby by the ankles and gently lift her bottom from the surface and either remove the diaper and dispose of it, or fold the clean half over the dirty half to remain under the baby during changing.
4. Clean the baby with your chosen wipe. Be sure to get all the cracks, between the legs and in the folds of the skin.
5. Remove the dirty diaper if you haven’t yet done so and dispose of it.
6. Place a clean diaper below the baby and apply any ointment, powder or cream desired.
7. Securely latch the new diaper to your baby. This step will vary by the type of diaper you have chosen. http://www.babycenter.com/0_diapering-your-baby-step-by-step-instructions_3833.bc<ref>