essentials: diapering edition
I have a confession to make: I'm not sure I ever really successfully changed a diaper before I had my own baby. I babysat as a teenager, of course, but the kids were always older. The one time I remember babysitting an actual baby, I think I just changed his diaper once an hour because I could never be sure he was wet (in retrospect, this doesn't really make any sense). Needless to say, he didn't poop while I was watching him.
When Aveline was born, there were nurses in and out of the room almost every hour, so for her first diaper change, I just sheepishly asked the nurse exactly how to change her. Even the newborn diapers were gigantic on her spindly little legs; the whole process seemed terrifying. Her first blowout happened about 24 hours later, and -- other new parents know what I'm talking about -- it was that black, tarry, sticky, awful poop. It got EVERYWHERE and all Mike and I could do was laugh. Sometimes, parenthood is literal shit.
Our baby nurse Delrose helped us get fully in the diaper groove; with 20-plus years of newborn experience, she could handle poop of any color, consistency or volume. Even better, she had tested virtually every baby product on the market, so her recommendations are what we're still using today, four months later.
Check our diaper essentials below!
Diapers: We started out using Honest, which have adorable prints. They run smaller than Pampers, so these fit her better than other brands when she was a newborn. We switched to Pampers Swaddlers for a few reasons: they're easier to find, I really appreciate the blue stripe that appears when they get wet, and they can last the whole night without leaking. If you order via Amazon Prime, you can set up a subscription and save a bit.
Wipes: We've been very happy with Seventh Generation, but I also like the Honest ones for their travel packs. Delrose taught us that when your baby gets bad diaper rash, it helps to rinse out the wipes (or use disposable dry wipes dipped in water) before putting on your baby's bum.
Diaper cream: I LOVE the Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment. Ever since we started using this, Avvie hasn't gotten diaper rash once. It's also great for (my) chapped lips, elbows, whatever. It literally locks in moisture, so it keeps your skin hydrated for hours.
Changing pad: The Keekaroo is pretty ingenious; it's made out of rubber, so it wipes clean after any messy diaper. Plus, you don't need to deal with washing changing pad covers.
Diaper baggies: We opted against getting a diaper pail because a) they take up a lot of room and b) my sense of smell is so sensitive I knew I'd still smell the dirty diapers inside. So, instead, we use little baggies and then toss them out in the building's main garbage can in the common hallway. The bags are also great to keep in your regular diaper bag for when you're changing the babe on the go.
Diaper bag: We have three between the two of us. My Feed bag is my every day, and Mike got me a fancy Hatch one as a mother's day present, which doubles more like a regular purse. He uses a Diaper Dude messenger bag that I got him for Christmas. Aw. Inside I keep travel-size diaper cream, wipes, diapers, diaper baggies, an extra onesie and outfit, a pacifier, hand sanitizer, and a small toy or two.
What are your baby butt must haves?