Diapers and Baby Care

When a woman is expecting a new baby, there are almost always a handful of friends and family members who ask “what do you need?” Brand new mommies often don’t have a specific answer to this one. Those who have been there almost always say the same thing, “Diapers!” It’s truly amazing sometimes how many diapers a baby can go through, and the cost can really add up. When people ask what they can give as a gift, diapers aren’t something most people think of, but can be perfect for new parents.

A newborn will need ten to twelve diapers a day, and that number will taper off slowly to five or six a day when the baby is three or four months old. Another good thing to keep in mind is that babies grow like dandelions the first few weeks, and you can expect your little one to graduate from NB (newborn) sized diapers to size 1 within a couple of weeks to a month.

There is no right or wrong diaper brand to buy, every parent has their own preference…but don’t count out the bargain brands without giving them a shot. Some of the “cheaper” diapers are actually pretty good! One tip with diaper buying is getting the bigger boxes. You will definitely use them all, and the cost per diaper is less when you buy them in bulk.

Baby wipes tend to follow the same rules; the bulk packages of “refill” packs are cheaper than buying them one at a time in individual plastic containers. Remember that your new baby’s bottom is sensitive, so avoid perfumed, fancy wipes. Simple hypo-allergenic wipes are cheaper and better on your newborns tender bottom. You’ll want to keep a few packs around, these aren’t something you want to run out of in the middle of the night, or get caught without away from the house. You’ll probably use about a pack a week for the first few months, and then they’ll taper off with the number of diapers.

There is one more thing that you will want to have plenty of on hand…diaper rash cream. The brand doesn’t seem to matter, as long as you have some kind handy. It’s a good idea to stash a tube of it in the diaper bag, the car, and at home. All babies get diaper rash at some point, but you can avoid it most of the time by changing your baby as quickly as possible when a diaper gets wet or soiled. Don’t feel guilty if your baby does get a rash, though…it just happens sometimes no matter how diligent you are about changing. If you ever run out of cream, plain old Vaseline can work in a pinch; just make sure the baby’s bottom is very dry before applying it so you don’t trap moisture against the skin.

Once you have all the things you’ll need for baby’s bottom, you need products for the rest of the little guy. It seems that there are dozens of products to choose from when you’re exploring the baby aisle at the store, and it’s easy to get confused. Most experienced mommies will tell you, though, that there are really only a few things that are absolutely necessary.

You can skip buying an array of soaps, shampoos, and bubble bath; all you really need for bath time is a good all-in-one baby wash. These are great because you can use the same product as a body wash and a shampoo, and the ones made for babies are tear-free formulas. One bottle, a soft washcloth, and some warm water are all you need! After bathing your baby, you’ll need to apply a gentle baby lotion all over his little body. Babies have sensitive skin that will get very dry, very easily. Baby lotions are gentle enough to use after every bath, and in between baths if needed. Something a few moms have discovered that makes the lotion more pleasant for the baby is letting the bottle sit in a sink of warm water (or the bath water) while you bathe the little one. When you’re ready to put lotion on the baby, it’s warmed up and feels better!

These are the things that most mommies would vote for as the essentials. There are plenty of products out there, and you’ll quickly find the ones that are right for you. However, it’s a good idea to have these basics on-hand for when you bring the baby home, it will save you some late-night trips to the drugstore!

Elizabeth Price

She is not only a quality nursing writer, but also a sought-after spokesperson, promoting quality nursing practice throughout the U. S. and abroad. Elizabeth does workshops, symposia, conventions, international meetings, radio shows, as well as newspaper interviews. Her unique ability to use humor in presenting critical concepts on nursing is always very popular. She is very professional and highly skilled in her practice. Check me out at Google

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