Nappies for babies
Parents and carers will change hundreds or even thousands of nappies as their baby grows.
Changing a nappy
Changing a baby's nappy can be done on different surfaces, such as the bed, the floor, a changing table, or even the boot of a car. Make sure these surfaces are secure so babies are safe from falls during a nappy change.
Parents and carers should also bend safely while changing to avoid discomfort or back pain.
Changing a baby's nappy for the first time can be overwhelming, so the steps are broken down below:
- gather supplies such as:
- a clean nappy
- wipes
- a damp washcloth
- barrier cream
- spare clothes
- a plastic bag or bin for dirty nappies
- lay the baby down on a changing pad or mat and keep them entertained by singing a song or giving them an object to hold
- remove clothing from the baby's bottom half, where possible, pulling downwards to avoid getting poo on their head
- open the clean nappy and place it under the baby's bottom
- open the tabs on either side of the dirty nappy and drag the front half down across the penis or vulva to wipe off any poo
- lift baby's bottom gently and fold the front of the dirty nappy back over the other half
- wipe baby's bottom from front to back to remove poo from the skin, using a fresh wipe each time
- wipe any remaining poo away from the penis or vulva, taking care not to move any poo inside
- remove the folded, dirty nappy from underneath, place the used wipes inside and use the sticky tabs to close it up
- make sure the new nappy is still clean and in the right position, using a new nappy if there is any poo or urine
- apply a layer of barrier cream around the anus and vulva or penis, covering any redness on the skin
- secure the nappy using the sticky tabs and check that the elastic around the legs is fluffed out and secure.
"Poo explosions" and nappy leaks are common in the first year. Try and clean all poo and urine off a baby's skin, giving them a bath where appropriate.
Nappy care and safety
Changing nappies is one of the biggest parts of hygiene for babies, so picking the right nappy for your family is important.
Both disposable and reusable nappies have advantages and disadvantages to consider, like:
- amount of waste generated
- impact on the environment
- cost for buying and washing
- how easy they are to use.
It's also important to have a space in the home that is safe and comfortable for nappy changing, whether it's on the bed, on a change table or the floor.
Never leave your baby unattended on a changing table, even if they are secured with a strap.
As babies start to roll and crawl, changing them on their backs can become challenging, unhygienic, and sometimes dangerous. When a baby becomes too active to change on their back, try standing them up and using nappy pants.
Nappy hygiene
Good nappy hygiene is important for avoiding the spread of germs, preventing infections, and protecting against nappy rash.
Nappy hygiene tips include:
- washing hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after every nappy change
- immediately moving any dirty wipes or nappies away from the baby during a change
- sealing used, disposable nappies and wipes in a tied plastic bag or nappy bin, keeping them out of reach of curious pets and other children
- removing any solid poo from reusable nappies before washing by scraping it away with a tissue or toilet paper and flushing it down the toilet
- making sure to apply nappy cream around the anus and penis or vulva before securing the new nappy in place
- following the wash routine instructions for reusable nappies, using hot water at least 60°C and making sure they are completely dry before using them again.
| If your baby has a penis: | If your baby has a vulva: |
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Minimise the impact on the environment for both disposable and reusable nappies by removing any solid pieces of poo and flushing them before disposing or washing them.
Nappy rash
Nappy rash can be common in babies and happens when urine and poo are in contact with the skin for too long.
It can be prevented and managed by:
- changing nappies regularly - at least every 2-3 hours and immediately after seeing or smelling poo and urine
- avoiding plastic nappy covers
- using barrier creams that contain zinc oxide
- not using talcum powder, soap or fragranced products
- giving babies lots of nappy-free time to air out their skin
- checking any rashes and seeing a doctor if concerned.
See the Nappy rash factsheet for more information.
Poo and wee: what to expect
| Wee | Baby's wee should be clear or pale with no smell. Dark or smelly wee means baby isn't getting enough milk or infant formula. A good way to check is by counting the number of wet nappies in a day- around 5 wet disposable or 6-8 wet cloth nappies are normal. |
| Newborn poo | A newborn baby's first poo is black, sticky meconium as they clear their digestive system. After a few days, their poo will become less sticky and greenish-brown in color. Once they start breast milk or infant formula, their poo will change again. |
| Breastfed infants poo | During the first few days, breast fed babies will have frequent bowel motions due to the laxative effect of colostrum in breast milk. From around day give, breastfed babies usually have soft, yellow or mustard-coloured poo, similar to toothpaste. They will usually do three or more poos daily during the first six weeks. This is a sign that they are getting a good supply of breastmilk. As babies grow, their poos become less frequent but more varied in texture and colour. Baby poo will look and smell different if they change from breast milk to infant formula and when they start solids. Changes in the frequency of poos are generally not a concern as long as they are otherwise well and gaining weight. |
| Infant formula poo | Babies fed with infant formula generally have firmer and less runny poos. Formula-fed poo can look like a thick paste and can range in colour from yellow-brown to greenish-brown. Formula fed babies and older children will usually pass a stool every few days. |
| Poos when starting solids | When a baby starts learning to eat solid foods, their poo will naturally change. Usually, poo will become more formed but still soft and brown in colour. Baby poo may start to smell more after starting solids, and there may be small bits of food left in the nappy, depending on what they have eaten. |
Warning signs
Sudden changes in a baby's poo can be concerning.
See your local doctor as soon as possible if you notice warning signs like:
- newborn babies - black sticky poo that does not change to green or yellow in the first few days after birth
- your baby has not passed done a poo in the first 24-48 hours of life
- unable to pass gas or wind
- constipation - small, hard or pebbly poo that causes babies to strain or appears difficult to push out
- diarrhea - loose, watery or runny poo
- blood in the poo
- pale yellow, white or grey poo
- green, frothy and explosive poo
- mucus in the poo.
It can be helpful to take a photo of the poo to show the doctor.
See the Constipation factsheet for more information.