Being a new parent is pretty scary - there is just so much new stuff to learn and so many things to get used to that your life will become a bit of a mess. The questions new parents ask the most are those related to nappies and since a baby will poop and pee quite a bit during the day it’s easy to see how a person may get a bit overwhelmed, so here are some answers to your nappy-related troubles.
Types of nappies
There are two basic types of nappies: cloth and disposable. Cloth nappies can be reused time and again and are pretty cheap. Some cloth nappies will have a waterproof outer layer and most modern ones are fastened via Velcro and pretty absorbent, while more traditional cloth nappies will have to be fastened using a pin and putting them on snuggly will require some practice. It is important to choose a good pin that is specially designed for this purpose – regular clothespins will come off much more readily. For more information how to use cloth nappies read this article. Disposable nappies on the other hand are a pretty simple affair. They are easy to put on and don’t require extensive washing, but they come in predetermined sizes and are only good for one use, so they may prove much more expensive – although a savvy parent always buys in bulk and looks for items that are on sale.
Changing a nappy and dealing with rash
The first thing you will need to do is set up shop. You will need a nice, big towel to place on your designated baby-changing area as well as the following items: a clean nappy, wet wipes, washcloth, baby cream and a toy (or just something new and shiny). You want keep one hand on the baby at all times (if you have someone with you it can be much easier to keep the baby still or distract it) and give it a toy so that it has something to do with its hands (failing to keep the baby’s hands occupied can result in quite a mess). You will need to carefully wash all the nooks and crannies, front and back to make sure everything is nice and clean. After this you should apply the cream. It is a good idea to let the baby’s bum dry out before putting on new nappy as this will help prevent rashes. Try not to fasten the nappy too tight and be sure not to cover the belly button in newborns. Cloth nappies will need to be soaked in a washing solution for several hours before being rinsed off and left to dry. Rashes can be dealt with using a little warm water to wash the area and letting the skin dry out before applying a cream and putting on a nappy.
How many nappies a day will I need?
A general estimation is between 8 and 12 nappies a day. You can be set with a one-time purchase of about 20 cloth nappies, but they will need to be washed daily, whereas disposables will need to be bought in bulk, but require less work. If you are a busy parent a cloth nappy may be a better choice since you won’t have to make panicked trips to the store because you can’t run out of them.
I know that having a baby can turn your life into a bit of a chaos and that first-time parents can be just as confused and frightened as their baby is at times, so I hope this information can help you out.