One of the things you’ll do most often once your child is born—at least during the first two or three years—will be changing diapers. It might sound like an exaggeration right now, but during the first few weeks after birth, it’s a task you’ll repeat ten or more times a day . On the one hand, this is because newborns frequently soil their diapers with stool and urine, which is actually a good and reassuring sign that they’re feeding well. On the other hand, it’s important to change soiled diapers often to help prevent irritation in the diaper area caused by moisture or by ammonia produced when urine and stool mix. We’re confident that you and your partner will soon become true experts, but if you’re in the final weeks of pregnancy and have questions about how to change your baby’s diaper, don’t worry—we’ve prepared this comprehensive step-by-step guide for you.

What do you need to change your baby's diaper

In a recent article, we shared a series of Tips for preparing and organizing your baby's changing table . The first tip was to have everything important at hand so you don’t have to search for items while changing a diaper. Remember: you should never leave your little adventurer alone on the changing table, not even for a moment, as the risk of falling is very high. So what are the essentials you should keep within reach? We answer that below. Ready to take notes?

1. Diapers: Naturally, if you’re going to change your baby’s diaper, you’ll need clean diapers on hand. We recommend always keeping a good supply in the top drawer of the dresser. The philosophy of LILLYDOO is “less is more,” which is why we’ve developed diapers without perfumes or lotions, gentle on baby’s skin and with a great fit to help prevent leaks.

2. Wet wipes: Especially for newborns, since their skin is more sensitive, it’s best to clean the diaper area with a little warm water (which you can pour into a small basin just before the change) and a soft washcloth. Fortunately, there are also wet wipes like those from LILLYDOO, with a composition 99% water, which are a simpler, less cumbersome alternative that’s just as gentle on baby’s skin.

3. Baby skin protective cream : Another essential for the top drawer is a protective, moisturizing cream for your baby’s skin. As we mentioned, the moisture and ammonia created by the mixture of urine and stool can cause redness , irritation, and even diaper dermatitis in babies. Keep one of these creams on hand to help prevent and soothe possible irritation.

4. Disposable changing pad: How do you change a diaper when you’re out of the house? This is a question that inevitably comes up for all first-time parents. Over time, diaper changes will become part of your daily routine , but at the beginning it’s normal for you and your partner to feel a bit more unsure outside the comfort of home. In any case, when a diaper change happens while you’re out and you need to lay your baby on an unfamiliar surface, it’s helpful to always carry (along with diapers, wet wipes, and protective cream) a disposable changing pad and reusable. It’s the most practical and hygienic way to change your little adventurer anywhere.

How to change the baby's diaper in 7 steps

A promise is a promise. After reviewing all the essentials you’ll need, we’re sharing this simple seven-step guide on how to change your little adventurer’s diaper. Keep in mind that this is only a general overview. With time, you’ll see that it not only gets easier, but that every parent develops their own little tricks. After all, while we all start with the same basics, there are as many ways to change a diaper as there are parents and babies.

In any case, here are the seven basic steps to change a diaper:

1. Place your baby in a supine position (lying on their back) on the changing pad and open the snaps at the bottom of the bodysuit. At least during the first few months of your baby’s life (and we recommend continuing for as long as possible), it’s best to use bodysuits and clothing that let you undress your little adventurer only from the waist down.

2. Peel off the adhesive closures of the diaper and fold them back so they don’t stick to your little one’s skin. If there’s any stool on the skin, we recommend doing an initial wipe with the front part of the used diaper. Always clean from front to back.

3. Next, close the used diaper so you can rest your baby on the front outer part of it. Gently lift their legs by holding their feet and clean the area with wet wipes or a little warm water and a soft cloth. As mentioned in the previous step, always clean from front to back. This is especially important for girls, since cleaning from front to back (from the genitals toward the buttocks) helps prevent bacteria from stool from causing a vaginal infection.

4. During the changing process, it’s not uncommon for babies to pee. For girls, the worst that usually happens is a wet changing pad. Boys, however, can sometimes pee on themselves, so it helps to be prepared. Place a wipe over the penis while you change the diaper to avoid an unexpected “pee bath.”

5. Once you’ve cleaned the area well , remove and close the used diaper.

6. Next, put on a clean diaper and slide it under your baby’s bottom, gently lifting their legs again to help you position it. Before fastening it, it’s a good idea to dry your baby’s skin thoroughly with a towel or a dry wipe, paying special attention to the folds. Then apply diaper cream to help prevent redness and irritation.

7. When closing the diaper, make sure the back (the side with the adhesive tabs) is positioned correctly at waist level. When fastening the Velcro straps, for boys, try to ensure the penis is pointing downward so urine goes into the absorbent area and doesn’t leak out over the top of the diaper toward the navel and waist. Adjust the diaper so it’s snug but not too tight or too loose, helping prevent leaks (we know it’s tricky at first, but within four or five diaper changes, you’ll get the hang of it!). And you’re done!

We hope this guide on how to change your baby’s diaper is helpful. It’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous the first few times—like with any first! Little by little, diaper changes will become a routine part of your day and can even bring you many moments of joy with your little adventurer. Enjoy!