Nappy changes: a simple everyday routine

Set up before you begin

Wash your hands and put everything within reach: a clean nappy, water and cotton wool or suitable wipes, a drying cloth and somewhere to put used items. A spare set of clothes nearby saves a second trip when a change turns out to need one.

A changing mat on the floor reduces the risk of a fall. If you use a raised changing surface, stay with your baby and do not rely on a strap to make walking away safe. If you have forgotten something, bring your baby with you to get it.

Further guidance: NHS: How to change your baby's nappy

Make cleaning gentle and thorough

Remove the dirty nappy and clean the area gently, including skin folds. Use warm water or fragrance-free, alcohol-free wipes. Clean a girl's bottom from front to back. For a boy, clean around the penis and testicles without pulling back the foreskin.

Dry the skin gently before fitting the clean nappy. Have a clean area for unused supplies so you are not reaching between dirty wipes and fresh clothing. A calm voice and a little conversation can make an everyday care task feel less rushed for both of you.

Further guidance: NHS: How to change your baby's nappy

Fit the nappy and finish the clean-up

Follow the nappy's fitting instructions and check that it sits comfortably at the waist and legs. Keep a newborn's healing belly button uncovered as advised in the changing guide. Cloth and disposable nappies have different fastening and washing requirements, so use the instructions for the products you have.

Keep nappy bags and supplies out of your baby's reach. Finish by securing the used nappy or putting reusable items in the appropriate laundry container, then wash your hands. Logging can wait until your baby is safely settled and the change is complete.

Further guidance: Raising Children Network: Changing a nappy

Choose wet, dirty or mixed

Use wet for a nappy with wee, dirty for poo, and mixed when both are present. One physical nappy change should create one entry. Selecting mixed avoids the confusion of two entries that appear to describe two different changes at the same time.

For example, a mixed change at 14:10 belongs as one mixed entry at 14:10. If your family notices a duplicate, edit or remove the mistaken entry rather than leaving it in the total. Make sure the time describes the change itself, even when you enter it later.

Keep the handover short

A useful handover tells the next caregiver what happened and anything they need to know now. ‘Changed at 2:10; mixed; clean clothes in the bag’ is easier to use than a long message spread across several chats. Put observations in a note only when there is something you want to remember.

When several people were present, agree who saves the entry. If someone is offline, remember that a newly saved shared entry may not have reached their device yet. A quick conversation can prevent a duplicate while the phones catch up.

Let care come before the record

There will be changes you forget to enter, particularly on busy days. Add an approximate time afterwards if it helps, or leave a clear gap. A smaller logged total is not evidence that your baby received less care.

If something about nappies or your baby's wellbeing worries you, ask your healthcare team about the observation itself. Do not wait for a certain number of entries. The record is there to support memory and communication, while a professional assessment takes account of the baby in front of you.