Diapers!

There are many mysteries that exist in a diaper ;)

The first few poops will be very dark and tar-like (meconium) and over the first few days of their life it will transition into a lighter greenish/yellow color with a thinner consistency. Babies that are fed with breastmilk, their poop will be a yellowish/orange mustard color, mild odor, formless, and can look “seedy”, this is all normal. Babies that are fed with formula, their poop may have a stronger odor, a little thicker but still formless, and the color can be tan to green. The iron content in formula can cause that green color and is not alone a cause for concern. If you notice red, excessive mucus, chalky white, or black (after the meconium has passed) contact your pediatrician. These can be signs of allergies or a range of underlying issues. Every baby is different, some babies poop multiple times a day but it is not uncommon for babies to go a few days without pooping at all! For wet diapers in general-

• day 1 = 1 wet diaper

• day 2 = 2 wet diapers

• day 3 through 5 = 3 to 5 wet diapers

• day 6 = 6+ wet diapers

A wet diaper “counts” when it is 3 tablespoons of liquid (which is basically impossible to tell). If the wetness indicator on the diaper shows its wet, I consider it wet.

There are alooooot of options when it comes to choosing a diaper brand. A good place to start is identifying your priorities. I found this list on reddit- it’s a very helpful, exhaustive chart that compares different brands. In my experience 80% of families use Huggies or Pampers. Honest diapers can be a little challenging size-wise. One family used them with no issues and another experienced blow out after blow out with them. Some clients started using Coterie diapers once the baby was sleeping longer stretches, just for night time. The price point on Coterie is higher but they are super absorbent and I do think they can help keep baby comfortable for longer stretches at night. Cloth diapers are also a great option. They are more cost effective in the long run, but they do require a bit more effort. Here is a guide on all things cloth diapers.

I believe a good rule of thumb is to change the baby’s diaper before every feed. This does not have to be the only time you change the diapers, if you hear some action definitely swap it for a fresh diaper. If this happens while the baby is sleeping you may want to do some math- if the next feed is close its okay to leave it for a bit to protect their sleep. Changing their diapers before a feed also helps wake them up a bit more so they aren’t so sleepy while eating.

You will definitely get peed on! There are somethings you can do to minimize the splash zone, but I think the number one thing is to have some paper towels handy and to laugh through it. I recommend using a liner for your diaper changing pad. They help keep the pad itself sanitary and making cleaning up any messes much easier. I also find that they keep the baby a bit more comfy, those pads can get a little chilly! Before taking the dirty diaper off you can try taking a wet wipe and rubbing it just under the waist of the diaper. This can sometimes give them the urge to pee. Depending on your baby’s patience for diaper changing you can give this trick a shot. I think its useful to put a clean diaper under the old diaper, just in case you need to catch anything. I definitely recommend getting a one touch wipe holder- anything that helps keep diaper changes one handed is key. There are two sets of frills on the diaper. You want to make sure the outer frills are all untucked once you get the diaper on, this will help prevent any leaks.

I swear by Egyptian Magic to protect against diaper rash. It is on the pricier side, but a little goes a long way! If you find that your baby is prone to diaper rash or has extra sensitive skin, there are dry wipes you can buy and use after a wet wipe and before the diaper cream. They can really help with any extra trapped moisture that can irritate delicate skin. Don’t beat yourself up if your baby gets a diaper rash! It happens. Prioritize some nakey time on a waterproof mat and it should clear up in a few days. If you find that it’s not getting better/resembles little pimples, and has a funky smell it could be a yeast infection. You can get an antifungal cream, like lotrimin, and it should resolve.

If anything feels off- trust your gut and contact your pediatrician, even if its just for peace of mind. Thats what they are there for!