Preventing Diaper Disasters

How often should you change a baby's diaper? There's no set schedule – but let's take a look at the signs and signals, step by step. Newborns go most frequently – five to ten times a day in the early weeks. Sometimes, a certain cry – or an expression on your baby's face is enough of a clue. More often, just a whiff in the right direction will let you know. But sometimes you have to take a peek – before and after nap times should do. Keeping your baby's skin clean and dry is essential to prevent discomfort, diaper rash and irritation.

Aw. Really is it all that bad?

Expect a change soon after every feeding – and possibly several more in between

Let's check that diaper, huh?

Preventing leaks saves time and trouble – and can set the stage for a baby to sleep through the night.

Aw, big stretch. Big stretch.

Choosing the right size of diaper for your baby is a big part of preventing leaks. Make the choice based on your baby's weight, not her age. As long as the diaper fits securely on the belly and around the legs, leaks will be reduced….. When diapers do leak, they will spill out of the sides for girls and the top for boys.

That better?

So position the penis downstream so the urine flows into the diaper instead of out. And for both sexes, make a habit of checking around the leg openings to see that the diaper is snug. Diapering babies is a necessary duty, but you can make it fun. Turn changing time into bonding time by singing nursery rhymes or playing piggies and it will fly by, Step by step. For WebMD, I'm Dr. Jennifer Shu.