Anyone who has ever had a newborn knows how free they are with their–ahem–bodily urges… And, therefore, how easy it is for them to let loose at any given moment, especially mid-diaper change!
Being a 5th-time mom at this point, I STILL have difficulty containing the chaos of newborn diaper changes, but I have come up some kind of a… method, if you will. It’s equal parts practical and middle-of-the-night crazed (I may or may not have started writing it short after one such episode at 3am), but I think you’ll enjoy it–and hopefully get some help from it–nonetheless.
How to NOT get peed/pooped on by a newborn: A step-by-step guide
- Make sure baby’s arms are immobilized. One less flailing thing to deal with. These Swaddlepods and I are totally BFFs for this specific reason. Soothies are awesome in the calming department too (if you’re choosing to go the pacifier route). I love that they promote a healthy latch while breastfeeding… And you can get these super-cute WubbaNubs to help them stay in. Don’t even ask, just get one. They’re the best.
- It’s also extremely helpful if baby isn’t screaming… Less stress for both of you, and less chance of aforementioned pee/poo exploding in your general direction. Make sure he/she is not too cold or hot, or extremely hungry. You could even put on a little soft music or sing to baby if you’re so inclined (not absolutely necessary, but worth a shot if nothing else is working!).
- Unfurl 1-2 diapers and have 1-3 wipes (minimum) ready to grab before you begin the great diaper change. A wipe warmer like this one can also come in handy, as most newborns freak out when a cold wipe is placed against their warm, pink skin.
- You may want to want to strongly consider having these peepee teepees on hand if you have a boy. Just sayin’. (More weird baby items that are actually kind of awesome on What is that I NEED IT.)
- Grasp baby’s ankles firmly with your non-dominant hand. I usually have one between my pointer and middle finger and one between my ring finger and pinky, palm up. Make sure you can keep baby from jerking a foot free (and landing it in poo), without holding too tight.
- Make sure aforementioned clean, unfurled diaper and wipes are within close proximity, and you have a space to place the dirty diaper once it comes off the baby. I know, this seems obvious, but I have accidentally ended up with things too far away more times than I can count! The less time you have to spend reaching the better.
- Unattach the sides of the diaper, but don’t remove it just yet. Give baby a few seconds to determine if he/she wants to let anything loose first (that newfound “freedom” and all).
- Get ready. Get set. Lift baby’s ankles gently, pull diaper off (swiping excess poo with diaper as you go if possible), and set to the side. If you have a peepee teepee for your boy, set that in place now. Put clean diaper under baby’s bum, but don’t lay baby in it yet. NOW wipe bum clean, set baby down, and attach clean diaper.
- Be really, really fast. Indy 500 fast. And be on the lookout for leaks every. single. second.
Go, team, go!
Related: Real uses for common baby items
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