Home

"Hot tips for cool nappy changing"

Guide to stress-free nappy changing
This guide was compiled from entries to a competition for tips on changing a wriggly baby or toddler.

Be prepared!
Get everything assembled before you put baby down to change – e.g. nappy bucket with lid off next to you, ready-wetted wipes or water bowl etc.

Changing places
At home try to always change in the same place – baby will soon know what is expected when they are put down in this place. Choose a calm part of the house and maybe put colourful pictures on the wall or a mobile above the changing mat. If baby gets into the habit of lying still at home there is more chance they will lie still in other places too.

Keep it comfy!
If your baby wriggles when you clean them perhaps they are uncomfortable? Try using warm water to wet them – not everyone appreciates having their cosiest bits cleaned with cold water or wipes! When you can choose a soft cotton or fleece wipe with a little baby oil in the water to make it smooth.

The key for most people seems to be to keep baby occupied and distracted from the nappy activity. Here are some suggestions for how to do this:

Have fun together!
With playful kisses & games, singing happy songs, give baby a cloth to cover his/her eyes and play peekaboo, or even blow bubbles – one puff before the nappy comes off and one before putting the new one on.

Forbidden fruit!
Put some interesting (but safe) items that baby is not usually allowed to play with in clear boxes with clip-lids (available from Ikea) and let baby choose one to look at and try to get out during nappy changing. Alternatively keep some especially interesting toys just for changing times so that they don’t lose their novelty. Keep an old TV remote control for nappy changing (why do babies love remote controls?).

Dress for the occasion!
Putting scratch mitts on baby will keep baby interested in their hands and if they make a grab for it will keep their hands clean! Wear mirror-type sunglasses – baby will find this fascinating (and possibly rather bizarre) – make sure they are not so dark that you can’t see what you are doing of course!

When all else fails letting baby unravel a roll of disposable liners will apparently work wonders!