Diapers, diapers everywhere — just ask any parent with young children. The average child experiences 5,000 diaper changes before he or she is toilet trained. For parents home alone for the first time with a newborn, it's those first few diaper changes that raise the most questions.

Besides diapers, what other gear do you need? How often should a newborn's diaper be changed? Do you change them differently for boys vs. girls? How do you avoid diaper rash? Learn what's involved with diaper changing and newborns.

Make diaper changing more comfortable for you and your baby by being prepared with the basics, including:

• Diapers. Be sure to stock an adequate supply of diapers — infant-sized at first, and larger sizes as your child grows.
• Premoistened diaper wipes. Although a moistened towel also works, it's tough to top the convenience of premoistened diaper wipes.
• Diaper pail. Store shelves are stocked with various types of diaper pails, each with its own claims — among them, odorless, convenient and sanitary. An ideal pail meets all three requirements.
• Baby lotion and powder. It's not necessary to use lotion or powder at every diaper change, but they may come in handy if your baby develops diaper rash.
• Baby wipes warmer. Baby wipes warmers do just what you think they do — warm up the wipes to a temperature that's more comfortable for your baby.
• Changing table. Choose a table with a wide, sturdy base that has compartments for storing diaper-changing supplies. Be sure to use the safety belt whenever your child is on the table.

Because newborns urinate up to 20 times a day, it's important to change your baby's diapers every 2 or 3 hours for the first few months. However, it's not necessary to wake your baby to change a wet diaper. Urine doesn't usually irritate a baby's skin, but the acid content in a bowel movement can, so change a messy diaper as soon as possible after your baby awakens. Your baby may urinate as you remove the diaper. If your baby is a boy, you can avoid being sprayed by covering his penis loosely with a diaper or cloth while cleaning the rest of the diaper area.

It's best to use a flat surface when changing a diaper. The floor works well. Other options include the crib or changing table. If you're using a changing table, be sure to use the safety belt at all times. After you've chosen a safe place, it's time to change the diaper.

Disposable diapers
When changing a disposable diaper, place the tabs under your baby's back. Lift your baby's legs and slide the diaper underneath. Bring the front of the diaper up through the legs and fasten the tabs on either side. Fit the diaper snugly around your baby's waist, and center it on his or her body. For newborns, fold the top of the diaper down so that it doesn't rub against the umbilical cord.

When you use disposable diapers, be sure to buy the size corresponding to your baby's weight. Keep your hands clean and dry before trying to fasten the tape so that the tape sticks.

SLIDE SHOW

How to put a diaper on a newborn

Cloth
If you use cloth diapers, you can fold them several ways. Experiment with different techniques for best absorbency and fit. Fold the side edges in, making shallow folds for a larger baby, deeper folds for a smaller baby. For boys, you may want to create extra padding in the front. Some people find that folding the front narrower than the back allows diaper pins to sit flatter on the stomach and brings the diaper around the legs more tightly.

If you're using diaper pins, you can avoid accidentally poking the baby by keeping the fingers of one hand between the diaper pin and your baby's body until the point of the pin is securely locked in the pin's hood. Cloth diapers should fit snugly because they tend to loosen as your baby moves around. Tuck the edges of the cloth into plastic pants to keep wetness inside.

Whether your baby is a boy or a girl, thorough cleansing is a must. Follow these steps to get the job done well:

• Hold your baby's legs with one hand at the ankles during the cleaning.
• Use either a cotton cloth dampened with warm water or a premoistened baby wipe to wipe your baby's diaper area. Using alcohol-free and fragrance-free wipes may help avoid drying or irritating your baby's skin.
• When your baby has a bowel movement, use the unsoiled front of the diaper to remove the bulk of the stool.
• Wipe down and away from the genitals, folding the waste inside the diaper.
• Gently finish cleaning with a cloth or wipe, using a mild soap as needed. You needn't apply lotion or powder, unless your baby tends to develop rashes.
• With one hand, lift your baby's lower body by the ankles and slide the new diaper underneath.

Be sure to properly dispose of soiled diapers. If you use a diaper pail, empty it every couple of days. Keep soiled diapers out of reach of children and pets. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling a soiled diaper.

Babies vary a lot in the frequency of bowel and urinary events — what and how often your baby eats are primary factors. Most babies urinate nearly every hour until they are 2 to 3 months old and every 2 to 3 hours for the rest of their first year. Talk with your baby's doctor if you notice any of the following:

• Fewer than three wet diapers in a 24-hour period
• Changing color of urine, which is typically pale yellow
• Bloody urine
• Difficult or painful urination

The frequency of bowel movements varies widely. Your baby may have as many as four to 10 a day, or as few as one every 3 to 4 days. After the first month, the number of bowel movements is usually less than three or four times a day, or even as seldom as once a week.

The color, frequency and consistency of bowel movements also vary widely, depending in large part on how and what your baby is fed. Stools of breast-fed babies generally are soft, watery and golden yellow, resembling mustard with seed-like particles. Stools of bottle-fed babies generally are more formed and tan colored.

Babies may turn red in the face and cry during a bowel movement, or they may seem totally unaware. These reactions are typical. As long as the bowel movements are soft or runny, your baby isn't constipated. However, if stools become hard, dry and difficult to pass, no matter how frequent, your baby may be constipated. Breast-fed babies seldom have problems with constipation. Babies with diarrhea have frequent, unusually loose or watery bowel movements that can come on suddenly. Dehydration, or the loss of essential body fluids, is the major concern if a baby has diarrhea. Talk with your baby's doctor if you notice any of the following:

• Frequent large, watery bowel movements
• Excessively watery and smelly stools
• Marked redness or soreness to the diaper area
• Colorless or white stools
• Fresh blood on the diaper

All babies get a red or sore bottom from time to time, even with frequent diaper changes and careful cleaning. Diaper rash may be caused by many things, including:

• Skin contact with a new product, such as disposable wipes, diapers or laundry detergent
• Chemicals used in manufacturing clothing — wash all new clothing before your baby wears it for the first time
• A bacterial or yeast infection

Some babies have sensitive skin. If this is true for your baby, thoroughly wash the area with clear water during each diaper change. Allow the baby's bottom to air dry before replacing the diaper. Use a soothing ointment such as Desitin, Balmex or A and D ointment any time pinkness appears in the diaper area. Many diaper rash creams and ointments contain the active ingredient zinc oxide. These products typically are applied, in a thin layer, to the irritated region several times throughout the day to soothe and protect your baby's skin.

To help prevent diaper rash, avoid using superabsorbent disposable diapers because they tend to be changed less frequently. If you're using cloth diapers, be sure you wash and rinse them thoroughly, and select snap-on plastic pants, instead of those with elastic bindings, for better air circulation. In addition, try using absorbent liners with cloth diapers. Call your baby's doctor if the diaper rash doesn't improve in a few days.