Alright, time to get down to nitty gritty of new mom life: changing diapers. This is a subject that has driven countless expecting parents to attend diaper changing classes, flip coins for whose turn it is next, and even recruit the help of other family members. As undesirable as diaper changing is, it is a natural and large part of having a baby. Since you will be changing your newborn’s diaper multiple times a day and night, it may be worth learning some valuable tips and tricks on the matter.

If you want to know how you can best plan and prepare for diapering, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through all you need to know and how to plan for the upcoming morning, noon, and night diaper duty.

 Factors to Consider When Buying Diapers

One of the main decisions you will have to make when planning for diapering is which diapers you will be using. While you are browsing the various brands and products out there, remember to take the following into consideration:

Disposable versus Cloth

To use cloth diapers or not to use cloth diapers? That is the question. Honestly, this decision depends on how much work you want to put into diaper changing. Disposable diapers are much easier than cloth diapers but also more expensive. Cloth diapers will save you money in the long run but require more effort and time. Both offer benefits and downsides, so it really depends on what you prefer: convenience or budget-friendly.

Price

Ask yourself exactly how much you and your partner are willing to dish out on diapers. Remember, you will be buying A LOT of diapers if you go the disposable route, so make sure that you budget accordingly. The price for diapers varies depending on if it is a brand name or includes special features. If you are opting for the specially designed or eco-friendly diapers, for example, brace yourself for a higher diaper budget each month.

Boy versus Girl

Yes, the gender of your baby plays a role in diapering. Boys, for instance, pee more towards the front of their diaper than girls do and are more prone to leaky diapers. In other words, the type of diaper that works for a baby girl may not necessarily work for a baby boy. The diaper changing strategies also vary between boys and girls, such as wiping techniques and tricks to avoid being peed on – more on that fun one later.

Eco-Friendly

The unfortunate truth is that disposables – however easier they may be than cloth diapers – are not great for the environment. On the same token, cloth diapers aren’t always ideal for the environment, since they can require a great deal of water to clean and reuse them. If you decide to use cloth diapers, try and use cold water when cleaning. If you are a fan of the disposable diapers, there are many brands that are eco-friendly, which I will touch upon in a moment.

Baby Diaper Supply List

So, what will you need to equip yourself with to prepare for the days – and nights – of diaper duty? Check out the guide below that details the supplies you will need to stock up on:

Diapers

The most obvious item you will need is a diaper. Correction, you will need a massive supply of diapers, unless you decide to go with the cloth diapers. While disposable diapers are extremely efficient in that you simply toss them after one use, they can also quickly rack up the bill. In fact, Investopedia says that the average child uses over 2,700 diapers in the first year alone, which can add up to over $550 spent on diapers.

If you are looking for a budget-savvy option, cloth diapers might be for you. They require more work in that you must clean them, but they are definitely something worth considering if you want to save a decent buck.

For disposable diapers, I recommend Pampers Swaddlers Diapers – hey, if they’re good enough for hospitals to use on newborns, they’re good enough for me! Another great disposable diaper is the Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers, a great option for baby boys since they are absorbent from all angles and boast ‘leak lock’ capabilities. And if you are looking to reduce your environmental footprint, check out the Bambo Nature Diapers! They are more expensive but their eco-friendly design actually minimizes the risks of allergy and diaper rash.

Interested in browsing cloth diaper products? Check out the bumGenius All-in-One Cloth Diaper, a really easy-to-clean cloth diaper that even adjusts as your baby grows – talk about a money saver!

Diaper Wipes

Next up, we have diaper wipes – the things you will use to wipe your baby’s bum every day! For every diaper you need, you will need even more wipes to assist with the number two’s. Be prepared with an abundance of wipes on hand at all times. While the type of wipe you use is not as important as the actual diaper, you still have a variety of products and brands to choose from. Pampers, for example, is a great and reliable brand that boasts a large selection of wipes for sensitive, newborn skin. Regardless of the brand you choose, just make sure you have a lot of them.

Disposable Bins

The next item you will need in your diaper infantry is a disposable bin. While you might never be able to fully eliminate the smell of stinky diapers – I don’t think I can even smell them at this point after so many diaper changes – there are specific diaper bins that can help reduce the odor.

Consider the award-winning Playtex Diaper Genia Complete, an all-in-one diaper pale that includes a built-in antimicrobial to fight off bacteria. This is the #1 selling diaper pail among mothers so it may be worth looking into if you’re serious about combating a smelly nursery room.

If you are on a budget, but still want a top-rated bin, check out the Dekor Classic Hands-Free Diaper Pail. This award-winning product is completely hands-free and boasts effective triple odor control. Take that, stinky diapers!

On-the-Go Disposables

Mastering the art of diaper changing means comes down to being prepared for every scenario. From restaurants to churches, museums, long car rides, plane rides, you must be ready to change your baby’s diaper anywhere, anytime. And what do you do if you aren’t within quick reach of a trash bin? Use your handy dandy on-the-go diaper sack, of course!

Keep your diaper bag stocked with diaper sacks, especially when traveling, to quickly and easily dispose of your baby’s diapers. The Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Bag Dispenser is a fantastic option to keep in your diaper bag for moments when a trash bin is not in reach.

Don’t be caught off guard while you’re on the go – you’ll be happy you listened to me on this one, trust me!

Rash Creams

Last but not least, if you really want to be the diaper mama ninja, anticipate diaper rashes before they occur by having a rash cream on hand. Hey, at the very least, you’ll be the popular girl who can lend out cream to other moms in need!

While diaper rashes are usually uncommon in the early days, they are inevitable as your baby gets older. Stock your diaper bag with either Aquaphor or Desitin, two highly-rated brands that will ease your baby’s bottom in the event of a rash and will give you peace of mind knowing that you showed up prepared.

Diaper Hacks

There you have it – you are now officially a diaper master! Bet you never thought you’d hear that one before and, much less, be proud of such a title.  Before I forget, check out some last minute hacks to help you when changing your baby’s diaper:

• Color-Changing Diapers: They may sound like the magical unicorns of diapers, but I swear they exist! If you want instant updates on your baby’s wet diapers, consider investing in diapers that change color every time your baby pees.
• Clean Diaper Under Dirty Diaper Trick: When changing your baby, you can avoid a mess by placing the clean diaper under the dirty diaper. Simply place the clean diaper open and under your baby, wipe, and swipe the dirty out from under and voila! You just got yourself a new party trick.
• Diaper as a Pee Protector: I can tell you firsthand, no matter how cute your baby may be, no amount of cuteness can take the horror out of being sprayed in the face by pee. Use a diaper to shield yourself from your baby boy’s ever-determined aim when changing his diaper.
• Design Your Own Diapers: If you really want to get into the diapering spirit, why not design your own diapers? Huggies Made by You gives you the option to design diapers in unique prints, patterns, or with your baby’s initials on them. If anything, this makes for a wonderful baby shower gift either for you or a friend!

That’s all I got for you! At the end of the day, all you need to master the diaper world is advanced preparation – the rest is all practice. The good news? You will be getting plenty of practice soon enough with your new baby!