Diapering will be second nature after parents hold their baby in their arms, but it’s easy enough to make a couple of obvious mistakes along the way. If you’ve ever had the horror of blowout, a chronic diaper rash that refuses to die, or sleepless nights caused by leakage, panic not: you’re not the only one! All of these issues are easily preventable with a few easy changes. Let’s cover the top five most common diapering mistakes made by the majority of parents and the fixes.
1. Fitting the wrong size
The most common error parents make is using a diaper that is too big or too small for their baby. Too-small diapers will cause soreness and redness and can even chaffing. Too-large diapers do the reverse and cause leaks, particularly during naps or nighttime sleep.
Solution: Always refer to the size chart provided with the diaper pack when dressing your baby. Babies grow too fast, so weigh them from time to time and purchase another size of nappy if required. A larger size should be chosen in case the nappy leaves red marks or leakages are likely to occur. A properly fitting nappy should sit snugly on the waist and legs without sagging or being tight.
2. Not Changing Diapers Often
It is also quite simple to be distracted cleaning and miss changing the diaper of your infant. Missing a soiled diaper can lead to rashes, irritation, and even urinary tract infections.
Solution: Replace your baby’s diaper every 2-3 hours or whenever it becomes wet or soiled. Wet diapers irritate the skin, especially if your baby has sensitive baby skin. During nighttime, use a super-absorbent diaper that will retain its integrity for many hours.
3. Inappropriate Diaper Fit
Even if it’s the right size, the way you secure the diaper is also important. A not-well-fastened diaper leaks and irritates the skin. If not well secured, it chafes the baby’s skin and leaves openings where the urine escapes.
Solution: Make sure the diaper is snug against your baby’s waist and legs but not so tight that it is abrasive on the skin. The tabs should also fit in the same manner, with two fingers between your baby’s tummy and the diaper. This will protect the diaper without being too constricting.
4. Not Using the Diaper Cream
Diaper rash is very common, yet not every baby gets it. If ignored and left alone, diaper rash becomes quite uncomfortable, even stressful for parents and baby when having to be changed.
Solution: Use a layer of diaper rash cream with every diaper change if your baby tends to get rashes. Zinc oxide creams are just great at protecting your baby’s skin and the dampness of the diaper. If your baby does end up getting a rash, make sure to let their skin “air out” during away-from-diaper time, which will wash it all up that much quicker.
5. Wearing the Wrong Kind of Diaper for Your Baby
All diapers are not the same: some are meant for the day, and some for the night. Wearing the wrong kind can bring in leaks, discomfort, and extra laundry.
Solution: Pay closer attention to your baby’s unique needs. A lightweight, porous diaper could be okay during the day, but a thicker, absorbent one might be what you’ll want when your baby sleeps all night. Also, pay attention to whether or not your baby is sensitive to the skin and use diapers that are designed to meet that need.
Wrapping Up
Diapering doesn’t have to be stressful! But with a bit of patience and paying attention to details, diapering can be so much less stressful for you and your baby.
