Last Reviewed: February 2010
Changing Diapers
As a new dad you may be a little nervous about changing your baby’s diaper. Once you get used to it diaper changes can be a fun time to play, talk and spend time with your baby.
How to change a diaper
What you need in your diaper bag:
- diapers - at least 3 or 4
- wipes
- change pad
- complete change of clothes for baby (pick an outfit you can put on easily)
- diaper cream (if using)
- plastic bag (for dirty diapers)
What to do:
- Wipe and wash your baby
Girls - Wipe from front to back
Boys - Do not pull back foreskin when washing. Keep your baby’s penis covered unless you want to get showered as most babies will pee when they are cold
- Pat dry your baby’s bottom
- Fasten the tabs on the back of the diaper to the front of the diaper
- Clean soiled cloth diaper over the toilet and store it in the diaper pail until you are ready to wash them
Is it supposed to be that colour?
- Black- baby’s first poops are black and sticky (known as meconium).
- Once the baby is getting good amounts of breast milk it will change first from black to greenish black then to brown or yellow.
- Mustard coloured - seedy, loose poops are normal for breastfed babies.
- White - it is normal for girls to have a whitish jelly-like discharge from their vagina. This will eventually disappear.
- Red - girls can bleed a small amount from the vagina in the first few days. This is normal and is caused by mom’s hormones.
- Orangey-red - babies that are one to three days old may have one or two orangey-red coloured spots in the diaper. The baby is not bleeding but has passed uric acid crystals. If this continues past three days, call your Doctor or Peel Public Health Breastfeeding Help Desk 905-799-7700 (Caledon residents call toll free 905-584-2216) to speak with a Public Health Nurse.
