Many new moms only truly grasp the blood, sweat, and tears behind the saying "raising a child means dealing with diapers and spit-ups" after officially becoming mothers.Newborns poop multiple times a day, and after each bowel movement, moms must clean their little bottoms. Preventing diaper rash hinges on thorough cleaning and frequent diaper changes. But since baby boys and girls have different anatomy, moms need to use distinct techniques when cleaning and changing diapers! Moms, save this guide now!
Bottom Cleaning: Boys vs. Girls
Cleaning a Boy's Bottom
New moms should note that many boys urinate when the diaper is opened. After unfastening the diaper, keep it positioned above the penis for a few seconds. Follow these steps to clean a boy's bottom:
1. Unfold the diaper. Wipe away stool with a tissue, discard it on the diaper, then fold the diaper over the baby's bottom. Use a damp cotton washcloth with lukewarm water to cleanse, starting from the belly up to the navel. Avoid exposing the baby to cold air during cleansing.
2. Thoroughly clean the skin folds at the groin and penis area with a clean cloth, wiping from front to back. When cleaning under the testicles, gently lift them upward with your fingers.
3. Clean all areas around the testicles, including beneath the penis, where urine or stool may accumulate. If necessary, gently hold the penis with your fingers, taking care not to pull on the skin.There is no need to deliberately clean the foreskin before the baby is six months old, as the foreskin typically fuses completely with the penis around age four. Prematurely retracting the tender foreskin can injure the baby's genitals.
5. Lift the baby's legs to clean his anus and buttocks, placing one finger between his ankles. Also clean the back of his thighs. Remove the diaper once cleaning is complete.
6. Wipe your own hands, then use a tissue to dry his diaper area. If he has diaper rash, let him kick his legs bare for a while. Have tissues ready in case he urinates.
7. Apply diaper rash cream generously above the penis (not directly on it), around the testicles, anus, and buttocks.
When changing a boy's diaper, note: Since boys typically urinate forward, hold down the penis during diaper changes to prevent urine from wetting the waistband.
Cleaning a Baby Girl's Bottom
Moms with baby girls should note: After cleaning her bottom, it's generally not recommended to use talcum powder. The talc in powder can enter the ovaries. Since a woman's pelvic cavity is connected to the outside environment, dust and particles from the external environment can enter the abdominal cavity through the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterine cavity, and open fallopian tubes, potentially causing pathological changes.
1. Wipe away stool with tissue paper. Then dampen cotton with warm water or cleansing lotion and gently wipe her entire lower abdomen up to the navel. Avoid exposing her to cold air during this process.
2. Use a clean cotton pad to wipe all skin folds in her groin area, moving from top to bottom and from inside to outside.
3. Lift her legs and place one finger between her ankles. Clean her external genitalia, wiping from front to back to prevent bacteria from the anus entering the vagina. Do not clean inside the vagina.
4. Clean her anus with a fresh cotton pad, then her buttocks and thighs, wiping inward toward the anus.Immediately remove the diaper, seal it with tape at the front, and dispose of it in the trash. Wash your own hands.
5. Pat her diaper area dry with tissue paper, then let her go bottom-free for a while to expose her buttocks to air.
6. Apply diaper rash cream around the vulva, anus, and buttocks.
If the temperature is suitable, both baby girls and boys can have their genital area rinsed directly with warm water after a bowel movement. This method is both quick and thoroughly cleans.
Diaper Changing: Boys vs. Girls
When babies develop diaper rash, parents feel heartbroken and babies suffer discomfort, often crying incessantly. Pediatricians remind parents to pay attention to diaper-changing details daily. Keeping your baby's bottom clean and dry can significantly reduce diaper rash.Check out these correct diaper-changing methods—they differ for boys and girls!
Diaper-Changing Method for Boys
1. Lay the baby flat on his back;
2. Place a towel underneath to prevent urine from soaking through (Watch out, I might "shoot" you!);
3.First wipe from front to back with tissue to remove stool and urine;
4. Set aside the soiled diaper (Daddy, hurry up, I'm sleepy!);
5. Lift the legs and buttocks;
6. Gently wipe the anus and bottom with a wet wipe or warm, damp cloth, ensuring all skin folds are thoroughly cleaned;
7. Wrap used wipes and tissues in the dirty diaper before disposal;
8. Place a clean diaper under the baby's bottom;
9. Secure the diaper—mission accomplished!
Diapering a Baby Girl
1. Lay the baby flat on a clean towel placed under her bottom;
2. Unfold the diaper;
3. Use a tissue to thoroughly clean and wipe away the stool. For girls, always wipe from front to back—from the vulva toward the anus;
4. Wrap the soiled diaper and set it aside;
5. Lift the legs and bottom;
6. Gently wash the anal area and surrounding skin with warm water;
7. Secure a fresh diaper—mission accomplished!