One of the questions that may arise to recent parents is when to change the baby's diaper. And at the beginning this question may seem like a world, although in reality it is very simple: we must avoid that the delicate skin of the baby suffers in contact with the feces.
This means that, in theory, the ideal would be to change the diaper after each pee, although sometimes we have been surprised by an excessively swollen diaper and the baby's pants too full. It does not happen if it ever happens, but we must ensure that the ass is as dry as possible to avoid irritation, dermatitis ...
Excessive humidity caused by urine It creates a hot and humid area, which has effects on the epidermis. The skin increases its fragility by being hyperhydrated, and is more sensitive than dry skin to abrasion damage. The presence in the urine of the bacterium "bacillus ammoniagenes" and the formation of ammonia (as a result of bacteria and fecal enzymes), produce an increase in the pH of the skin, an imbalance.
These conditions interfere with the skin's barrier function, allowing the permeability of irritating substances to the inner layers, decreasing the drying effect of the air and favoring the development of microorganisms.
Newborns get to urinate about 20 times a day, and babies under one year about seven times. But of course, we can't guess what the right moment is.
So if we want prevent the baby from staying too wet and be somewhat systematic, we can choose the moment after each take to change the baby (also, it is during the suction when they usually urinate). If we see that the diaper is dry, we can leave it and wait for the next shot.
If it happens that the baby keeps the diaper dry too many hours, it is advisable to consider whether he will not be drinking too much milk, and be aware of any signs of dehydration.
In the case of babies who regurgitate, we can start the diaper change before taking it, and then do not lie down immediately and try to be calm, somewhat incorporated, to do the digestion, preventing the movement from having the milk expelled.
In short, although there are little pots and even applications to know when to change the baby's diaper, it is best to set some fixed time to do it (before or after the taking) and check it from time to time to avoid accumulating a lot of pee.
If the baby sleeps many hours in a row, it should be changed before going to bed because in this way we ensure a dry and "waterproof" diaper: it is less likely to pee at night. When you wake up, you also have to change the diaper, or if we are going to make a trip by car for a few hours, an excursion ... better to go dry.
With the feces the desserts are not worth
If we talk about the poops, of course, you have to change them immediately. Here you do not have to decide the moment, your nose will tell you without a doubt when it comes to changing the diaper. Do not despair if a minute after changing the baby defecates again, it is common, especially for little ones.
It is not good for feces to keep in touch with the baby's delicate skin for a long time, and we also remember that a good protective cream (not talcum powder) for the diaper area will help the butt stay healthy and without irritations that bother the baby a lot.
The urine combined with the feces and with the friction in the diaper area are a culture field for the bacteria and for the irritations, the ph of the skin is altered and it will not take long to see some type of inflammatory process. Faecal enzymes are the most important irritants of the skin, so that while with the pee we can have some "clue", better avoid them with the poops.
Of course, keep in mind that a diaper of inadequate size will not fulfill its functions as well as the diaper that best fits the baby. So you'll have to change the baby's diaper, and probably also your clothes, more often than you would if the diaper is the right size.
Photos | Peter Dutton and moohaha on Flickr-CC On Babies and more | How to change the diaper on the baby, Newborn care: changing the diaper, Diaper dermatitis: everything you need to know
