Diapering
Diapering: disposable, cloth and healing circumcisions
You should be able to change any diaper without instruction, protect a healing circumcision, prevent rash, and recognize stool or urine changes worth reporting.
Prep first
Illustrated frame placeholder
Clean diaper open and underneath before unfastening.
Transcript and media source
Full transcript available. Placeholder media for the prototype; production media is sourced only from hospitals, university medical centers, government health agencies, professional medical organizations and certified lactation professionals.
Reviewing clinician: R. Okafor, MSN, RN · Reviewed 2026-05-14 · Captions available
Supplies needed
- ·Diapers
- ·Wipes or warm water and cloths
- ·Barrier cream
- ·Change of clothes
- ·Wet bag or pail for cloth
- ·Hand sanitizer or sink
Safety warnings
- One hand stays on the baby on any raised surface. Straps are not a substitute.
- Never lift a newborn by the ankles alone; roll them gently instead.
- Keep the diaper folded below a healing cord stump.
Step by step
- 1Set out a clean diaper, wipes and cream before you unfasten anything.
- 2Unfasten, then fold the front of the dirty diaper down and use its clean inside to wipe the bulk away.
- 3Girls: wipe front to back, gently opening the folds but not cleaning inside.
- 4Boys: cover the penis with a cloth to avoid a surprise; clean under the scrotum. No foreskin retraction.
- 5Healing circumcision: rinse with warm water rather than wipes, pat dry, apply petroleum jelly to gauze if instructed.
- 6Slide the clean diaper under while supporting hips, not hanging the baby by the ankles.
- 7Air-dry for 30 seconds, then apply a thin barrier cream if the skin is pink.
- 8Fasten two fingers loose, fold the front below the cord stump, and check the leg cuffs are pulled out.
- 9Cloth diapers: remove the insert, knock solids into the toilet, store in a dry pail, wash every 2 to 3 days on hot with a cloth-safe detergent. No fabric softener; it kills absorbency.
- 10Wash your hands, then log wet and dirty counts for the day.
Common mistakes
- Fastening too tight over the cord stump
- Leaving leg cuffs tucked in
- Cream on damp skin
- Wipes on a raw or healing area
How do I know I am doing this correctly?
- 6 or more wet diapers a day after day 5
- Skin stays smooth and pale, not red or shiny
- No leaks at the legs
When to stop and seek help
- · Fewer than 6 wet diapers a day, or no stool for over 24 hours in the early weeks
- · Blood or mucus in the stool, or white, chalky or black stool after day 5
- · Rash that blisters, weeps, or comes with a fever
- · Brick-red urate crystals in the diaper after day 3, which can suggest dehydration
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.
Finish this tutorial
How confident do you feel doing this on your own?
Clinical review
- Author
- Partnered Postpartum clinical content team
- Reviewer
- R. Okafor, MSN, RN · Registered Nurse
- Reviewed
- 2026-05-14
- Next review
- 2027-05-14
- Version
- 1.2
- Applies to
- United States and Canada
Evidence sources
- · American Academy of Pediatrics, Caring for Your Baby and Young Child
- · AWHONN postpartum and newborn care standards
- · NHS newborn care guidance
Version history
- · 1.0 initial publication
- · 1.1 cord-care wording aligned to AAP
- · 1.2 added safety-check steps
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.