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When to change a nappy

Babies need frequent nappy changes.

Babies have very delicate skin so their nappy needs to be changed as soon as they wet or poo themselves, otherwise their skin becomes sore and red.

Changing your baby's nappy as soon as possible after they've done a wee or poo will help prevent  nappy rash.

Young babies may need changing as many as 10 or 12 times a day, while older babies need to be changed around 6 to 8 times.

What you need for nappy changing

Before you change your baby's nappy, wash your hands and get everything you need in 1 place, including:

a changing mat or towel

cotton wool and a bowl of warm water, or fragrance and alcohol-free baby wipes

a plastic bag or bucket for the dirty nappy and dirty cotton wool or wipes

barrier cream to protect your baby's skin

a clean nappy (and liner and cover if you're using cloth nappies)

clean clothes

Where to change a nappy

The best place to change a nappy is on a changing mat or towel on the floor, particularly if you have more than one baby.

That way, if you need to see to another child for a moment, your baby can't fall. It's best done sitting down so you don't hurt your back.

If you're using a changing table, keep an eye on your baby at all times. You shouldn't rely on the straps to keep your baby secure. Never walk away or turn your back.

Older babies may try to wriggle away when you're changing them. You could give them a toy or use a mobile to distract them.

How to change a nappy

It's just as important to clean your baby fully whether they have wet themselves or done a poo.

If your baby's nappy is dirty, use the nappy to clean off most of the poo from their bottom.

Then use the cotton wool and plain warm water (or baby wipes) to remove the rest and get your baby really clean.

Clean the whole nappy area gently but thoroughly and make sure you clean inside the folds of skin.

Girls should be cleaned from front to back to avoid getting germs into their vagina.

Boys should be cleaned around the testicles (balls) and penis, but there's no need to pull back their foreskin.

If it's warm enough, let your baby lie on the changing mat without a nappy on for a while. Wearing a nappy all the time makes nappy rash more likely.

If you're using disposable nappies, take care not to get water or cream on the sticky tabs as they won't stick if you do.

If you're using cloth nappies, put in a nappy liner and then fasten the nappy. Adjust it to fit snugly round the waist and legs.

Chat to your baby while you're changing them. Pulling faces, smiling and laughing with your baby will help you bond and help their development.

Try not to show any disgust at what's in their nappy. You don't want your baby to learn that doing a poo is something unpleasant or negative.

Nappy hygiene

Disposable nappies can be rolled up and resealed using the tabs. Put them in a plastic bag kept only for nappies, then tie it up and put it in an outside bin.

Washable cloth nappies don't have to be soaked before they're washed, but you may choose to soak them to help get the stains off. Check the washing instructions first.

Cloth nappies can be machine washed at 60C, or you could use a local nappy laundry service.

There's no evidence that using washing powders with enzymes (bio powders) or fabric conditioners will irritate your baby's skin.

Wash nappies that are dirty with poo separately from your other washing.

To avoid infection, wash your hands after changing a nappy before you do anything else.

If your baby's old enough, they can wash their hands with you as it's a good habit to get into.
Learn how to wash your hands properly

What baby poo looks like

Your baby's first poo is called meconium. This is sticky and greenish-black.

Some babies may do this kind of poo during or after birth, or some time in the first 48 hours.

After a few days the poo will change to a yellow or mustard colour. Breastfed babies' poo is runny and doesn't smell. Formula-fed babies' poo is firmer, darker brown and more smelly.

Some infant formulas can also make your baby's poo dark green. If you change from breast to formula feeding, you'll find your baby's poos become darker and more paste-like.

If you have a girl, you may see a white discharge on her nappy for a few days after birth.

It's caused by hormones that have crossed the placenta to your baby, but these will soon disappear from her system.

These hormones can occasionally cause slight bleeding like a mini period, but in both cases it's nothing to worry about.

Read the NCT guide to newborn baby poo.

How often should my baby do a poo?

Babies do an average of 4 poos a day in the first week of life. This goes down to an average of 2 a day by the time they're 1 year old.

Newborn babies who are breastfed may poo at each feed in the early weeks, then, after about 6 weeks, not have a poo for several days.

Formula-fed babies may poo up to 5 times a day when newborn, but after a few months this can go down to once a day.

It's also normal for babies to strain or even cry when doing a poo.

Your baby isn't constipated as long as their poos are soft, even if they haven't done one for a few days.

Is it normal for my baby's poos to change?

From day to day or week to week, your baby's poos will probably vary.

If you notice a definite change of any kind, such as the poos becoming very smelly, very watery or harder (particularly if there's blood in them), you should talk to your doctor or health visitor.

If your baby's poos look pale, this can be a sign of liver disease.

Speak to your health visitor or GP if you notice this.

Disposable and washable cloth (reusable) nappies

Disposable and cloth nappies come in a range of shapes and sizes. The choice might be confusing at first, but with trial and error you'll be able to work out which nappies suit your baby best as they grow.

Disposable and cloth nappies have different pros and cons, so you'll need to consider things like cost, convenience and the impact on the environment when you choose what to buy.

For example, disposable nappies are very handy, but washable cloth nappies work out cheaper if you add up the costs over the years your baby's in nappies.

Some cloth nappy brands and local councils offer free samples for you to try out.

If you use cloth nappies, you may want to sign up to a nappy laundry service that'll take away the dirty nappies and deliver a fresh batch each week.

The 'Which?' consumer information website has more information and advice to help you decide which type of nappy is best for your baby, budget and lifestyle.

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Your guide to changing a nappy, what to do with dirty nappies, baby poo and different types of nappy

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The complete guide to baby nappies

Your first nappy change can be a little daunting. You'll need to negotiate kicking legs and the tar-like consistency of meconium. Then there's avoiding their umbilical cord clamp and the fact that they'll almost certainly wee as soon as their nappy comes off - particularly if you have a boy. Our guide will help you to master this essential skill.

quick explanation

Learn how to change your baby's nappy, the differences between reusable and disposable nappies, and discover our complete guide to your newborn's poo.

Your midwife will talk you and your partner through the very first nappy change, but after that it's a case of learn-as-you-go. Luckily, with a bit of preparation, combined with the constant practice (up to 12 times a day), you'll soon be an expert.

Changing a disposable nappy

1. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water.

2. Place your baby on a soft, safe, waterproof surface and remove their clothing.

3. Open the dirty nappy. Holding their legs, clean the area with wet cotton wool or wipes. Dry thoroughly.

4. Slide the dirty nappy away from your baby, and quickly replace it with a clean nappy.

5. Pull up the front of the clean nappy and fasten the sticky tabs.

6. To avoid the umbilical cord, fasten tabs lower and fold nappy, front down.

7. Roll up the dirty nappy and use sticky tabs to refasten into a neat bundle.

8. Dress your baby.

9. Place the nappy in a disposable bag in the bin and wash your hands.

When it comes to changing nappies, preparation pays off. A well-stocked changing station makes a world of difference. Making sure you have everything to hand before you start will stop it getting too messy.

Where should I change a nappy?

Once you're home you can set up a changing station anywhere in your house. A changing table is handy in the early days as it means you don't spend as much time hunched over, but it's not essential. If you have a changing mat, you can change a baby's nappy on the floor in any room, and this is actually safer once your baby becomes more mobile. Quick access to a sink is also useful. It's all about what's easiest for you.

Disposable nappy changing essentials

Changing mat.

Soap to wash your hands.

Clean nappies.

Cotton wool balls.

Pot of cooled boiled water.

Clean change of clothes (and a spare set just in case!).

You can use baby wipes if you prefer, but cotton wool and water are fine at first and won't irritate your newborn's delicate skin. Nappy bags are also useful for disposing of nappies hygienically. As your baby gets older, you may need to use a barrier cream to prevent soreness and nappy rash, but it shouldn't be necessary at first.

You'll need another set of nappy changing essentials in a bag to carry with you whenever you leave the house. Consider investing in a lightweight, portable changing mat. They can be a lifesaver when you're on the go. Remember that you can never pack too many spare clothes.

Why is my newborn's stool changing colour?

Your baby's stools will change colour quite dramatically in their first week and won't resemble adult stools until they start to wean from 6 months onwards.

Your baby's first stool is known as meconium. It's made up of the waste products like mucus, bile, cells, amniotic fluid and lanugo. It also keeps their intestine 'inflated' so that it's ready for action after birth. It's greenish-black, sticky, tar-like and hard to clean off skin, but while it looks unpleasant, it doesn't smell as there are no bacteria present. The passing of meconium is an important milestone as it shows your baby's bowels are working properly ¹.

What changes should concern me?

Babies' stomachs are delicate, and their stool colour, consistency and smell can change quite frequently, making 'normal' hard to define. The warning signs to look out for are diarrhoea, constipation or blood-streaked stool. If it's a one-off, then it could be due to a change in your baby's diet. Switching to formula, for example, can cause thicker stools that are associated with constipation. Dehydration can also cause constipation, which in turn can cause your baby to strain, leading to bleeding. If you notice frequent or continuous diarrhoea, constipation or blood-streaked stool, ask your doctor, health visitor or midwife for advice.

A breastfed baby's stool colours

How often should you change a newborn's nappy?

In the first day or two, you will only get through a few nappies, but by the end of the week this number is likely to go up to 6 to 12 nappies. Most will be just wet ², although breastfed babies poo more regularly than bottle-fed babies. Your baby may cry if they are feeling uncomfortable in a dirty nappy, and some disposable nappies have built-in moisture indicators to tell you when it's time for a change.

Reusable nappies vs disposable nappies

Although this may seem like a tricky dilemma, it's a matter of weighing up the pros and cons and going for the best option for you and your family. Disposable nappies are quick, easy, convenient, very absorbent and cheaper to buy initially. Reusable cloth nappies require an upfront investment but are often cheaper in the long run and contain fewer chemicals. They do, however, require regular washing and drying. While reusable nappies definitely reduce the amount of waste going into landfill, a recent report revealed that constant washing and drying may cause more carbon emissions than disposables ³. More environmentally-friendly disposables offer another option but will still add to landfill if not composted correctly.
If you're keen to be green, then do your research, avoid boil-washing or tumble-drying your cloth nappies and aim to use them for more than one child.

Should I wake my baby to change their nappy at night?

Leaving your baby in a dirty nappy for too long can cause nappy rash, so you should make sure to change them as soon as possible ⁴. If you need to change them during the night and they are asleep, you can try to change their nappy without waking them. Try not to turn the lights on, or keep them dimmed, and be extra gentle while you change them so as not to wake them up.

You will need to take nappy changing essentials with you to the hospital. Read our hospital bag checklist for more information on what you'll need to take here.

Stock your changing table with plenty of supplies - nappies and wipes are often cheaper if you buy them in large quantities.

Prepare a nappy changing basket or box downstairs too, complete with a changing mat, nappies, cotton wool and a spare baby grow for any inevitable accidents.

Get to know your nappies. Practise on a teddy or ask a other parents friends to show you how they do it.

Your baby's future health begins here

At Aptaclub, we believe that experience helps to build resilience; and that each new encounter, whether in pregnancy or after birth, can shape your baby's future development. With our scientific expertise and one-to-one round the clock support, we can help you and your baby embrace tomorrow.

Learn more about your baby

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Learn how to change your baby's nappy, the differences between reusable and disposable nappies, and discover our complete guide to your newborn's poo.

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