Diapering Your Baby

Here are a few extra tips to keep in mind:

• Garbage should be emptied regularly (about once a day) if you're using disposables. Not only does this prevent a stinky diaper pail but also prevents the growth of bacteria.
• If you find any marks around your baby's legs and waist, the diaper is too tight. Go for a looser fit next time.
• If a rash develops at the diaper openings around your baby's leg and waist, change the brand of diaper you're using. Sometimes babies become sensitive to certain brands of diapers.
• If diapering a boy, place the penis in a downward position before fastening the diaper. This will help prevent leaks from creeping up above the waistline.
• Fold down the waistline of the diaper if your baby's umbilical cord has not fallen off yet to keep that area dry.
• Always wash your hands well after changing your baby's diaper to prevent the spread of germs.

Cloth Diapers

Although most parents choose disposable diapers because of their convenience, some parents opt for cloth diapers, which can be more affordable (if you wash them yourself). Some believe that cloth diapers are more environmentally friendly, but there's some debate over whether this is actually true.

Cloth diapers come in many shapes and sizes. Traditional cloth diapers usually come prefolded or in a square and require pinning. More modern types are fitted or contoured like disposable diapers, and come with Velcro closures or snaps. Other cloth-diapering accessories include absorbent liners (some are flushable), diaper doublers for extra protection at night, and diaper covers to help prevent leaks.

If you're using traditional cloth diapers, there are two ways to fasten them. The first is the triangular fold:

• Fold the square in half to form a triangle. (For newborns or smaller babies, you might need to fold the long side of the triangle down a few inches so it fits your baby better.)
• Place your baby in the diaper by gently lifting the baby's feet and legs and sliding the diaper under. The longest side of the triangle should be behind your baby's back, with the opposite corner pointing down toward his feet.
• Bring the front part of the diaper up between your baby's legs and onto his or her belly.
• Bring one side around so it overlaps the center part.
• Bring the other side around so it overlaps the other two parts. Fasten all three parts together with a safety pin.

The second, the rectangular fold, is similar to the fold of disposable diapers:

• Fold the diaper into a rectangle. Some parents find it helpful to make an extra fold in the diaper so that extra material covers the area the baby will wet the most – in the front for a boy and on the bottom for a girl.
• Position the diaper under your baby, with the long sides facing the same direction as your baby.
• Bring the bottom up onto your baby's belly.
• Bring one side around and fasten with a safety pin, then do the same on the other side.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when using cloth diapers: