Have all your supplies handy: diaper, wipes, diaper rash ointment if needed. A conveniently located diaper pail with a step-on lid is also a very valuable because you can dispose of the diaper with one hand and continue to use the other hand to secure the baby.

Lay the baby on a flat surface such as a changing table, bed, or floor. Many parents find a floor a good choice for a changing location because of its safety; even young infants can not be left unattended for a moment since they might roll and fall.

Try to have something like a changing pad under the baby. Stand along the baby's right side, with her head up by your left hand and feet by your right. Take off old diaper. Clean the baby with a diaper wipe. Remember to always wipe from front to back. Apply diaper rash ointment if necessary.

Open the new diaper and put it under the baby with the padding touching the baby's skin and with the tapes towards the head. When laying the diaper on the flat surface, feel for the soft, padded side. That is the side that goes against the baby. The other side will usually feel like a flat plastic or a slightly rough material. Fold the diaper so that the diaper is half on the baby's back and half on the belly. The middle part of the diaper should be between the baby's legs. Make sure the baby's entire backside is covered. Feel for the tapes, which should be toward the bottom of the baby's back. Grab the tabs and pull away from baby. Bring the tapes around. Secure tape to folded part of diaper on baby's belly.

If you are left handed, stand on baby's left side with the head toward your right hand and feet towards your left.

It's sometimes difficult to determine whether diaper rash ointment is needed. If you have some sight, look to see if the skin looks red and irritated. I used to feel the area if I wasn't sure. If the skin doesn't feel smooth or if the baby seems to startle or flinch when the area is touched, this might indicate that ointment is necessary. Also, if the previous diaper was very wet, diaper rash ointment might be a good idea to help prevent rash. It is better to make an error on the side of applying ointment when it is not really needed than not to use it when it is needed. If you apply the ointment with your finger, like I did, wipe off your hand before trying to seal the diaper tapes. If you try to handle the tapes with ointment on your fingers, the ointment will make the tapes useless.

There are many different styles of disposable diapers on the market. Some fit snugly around the legs and help avoid leakage. Personal preference may be your guide here. If you know of other parents who have infants in diapers, you may wish to swap a couple of diapers in order to check how different styles work for your purposes.

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