Instructions: Wrap easily and correctly

3 steps: prepare the wrap

Set up a changing area

Many children are swaddled until they are three years old. Therefore, it is usually worthwhile setting up a fixed changing area with a few important utensils. You can find detailed information on what you should consider when doing this in the article “7 tips for everything to do with the changing table” .

• Changing table: A special changing table offers you enough space to change your child comfortably and also provides plenty of storage space to store diapers or other utensils that you need for changing. It should be high enough that you can stand comfortably and stand in a warm place.
• Heat lamp: You can also mount a heat lamp above the changing area so that your baby does not freeze while changing. This purchase is particularly advisable if your baby was born in winter and if the changing area is in an otherwise rather cold room (e.g. a bedroom).
• Changing pad: A washable, soft mat provides a soft lying surface for your child. It is best to buy a changing mat with a PVC-free plastic cover. So that your baby does not lie directly on the plastic, you can cover the pad with a soft fabric cover, which you can buy as an accessory or sew yourself and which can easily be washed in the washing machine if necessary.

Get everything ready to wrap

Before you start changing your baby’s diaper, you should put everything you need on the changing table within easy reach: a change of clothes, diapers, dry paper towels, a bowl of warm water and a washcloth, towels and a moisturizing cream. Whether you use disposable or cloth diapers is up to you. With both variants, however, you should make sure that the diaper is the right size. But also make sure that no baby care products are within reach of your baby to avoid accidents.

Wear clothes that are easy to put on and take off

If you want to change your baby’s diaper, you have to undress him first. So that this does not become a problem, you should make sure when buying baby clothes that they are easy to put on and take off again. Wrap bodies are particularly suitable in the first few months because you don’t have to pull them over your baby’s head. You can find more information on this topic in the article “Dressing the baby easily and correctly” .

safety first

The most important thing when changing diapers is never to leave the baby unattended on the table . If you do have to leave the room, be sure to take your baby with you so that no accident happens.

5 steps: diaper and dress the baby

Clean properly

The best way to wrap your baby is to lay it on its back. If you have opened the diaper and there is stool in it, you can remove most of it from your child’s buttocks with the upper part of the diaper. If only urine is in the diaper, you can remove it immediately. Your baby’s genital and anal area can now be carefully cleaned with a dry cloth or special baby wipes. To do this, you can carefully roll your baby onto its side or lift the baby’s buttocks a little.

It is important that you always wipe from front to back when cleaning, so that no intestinal germs get into the genital area. For this reason, the labia should not be cleaned in girls. If there is stool there, it can be removed by gently patting it. With boys you have to make sure that the skin folds in the area of ​​the scrotum are carefully cleaned of dirt. However, you should not clean under the foreskin. Only when your child later playfully pulls back the foreskin can you use this opportunity to carefully dab it. Then clean with a damp washcloth.
You should be careful with wet wipes. They often contain fragrances that can irritate sensitive baby skin. Therefore, pay attention to the inscription “without perfume”.

Properly lift the baby

In order to be able to properly clean your baby’s bottom and put a new diaper on him, you have to lift his bottom slightly. It is best to turn your baby slightly to the side. So you can reach everything with a washcloth or wet wipes and slide the diaper easily under your baby’s bottom.

Dry and apply lotion

After cleaning, you should dry your baby’s bottom carefully, because moisture is an excellent breeding ground for germs and a damp bottom is therefore more likely to become sore. If that happens, apply a thin layer of wound protection ointment or cream after cleaning to protect your baby’s skin from further moisture. It’s best not to use baby powder, as this could irritate the inflamed skin even more, or your baby could accidentally inhale it.

put on the diaper correctly

Now you can put on a clean cloth or plastic diaper. But make sure that the baby’s stomach and legs are not constricted. You can find out whether your baby has enough space in the diaper with a simple trick: if one or two of your fingers still fit easily between the diaper and your baby’s body, it is not too tight. If your newborn’s umbilical stump hasn’t healed yet, you should turn the top edge of the diaper inward or outward so the material doesn’t rub on the sensitive area. Don’t forget to wash your hands after changing!

Carry out changing and dressing quickly

You can keep your baby occupied in a variety of ways to keep your baby calm while changing. The best method is to talk to your baby all the time. Calmly explain to him what you are doing. Even if it can’t understand every word yet, your voice will certainly have a calming effect on your little one and give it security. You can also hang a colorful mobile over the changing table for the baby to reach for. A music box or a rattle can also be a nice activity. And you can focus on changing diapers as soon as possible. It is better to postpone games and cuddling until the moment when your baby is dressed again.