How to Minimize Distress During Diaper Changes for Newborns?

Question

Is there any way to limit distress when changing diapers for newborns? Our four-day-old baby gets increasingly agitated during the process, and it's difficult to handle a screaming infant while dealing with a dirty diaper. Are there any top tips for minimizing total meltdown during diaper changes?

Answer 1

One tip we got at the hospital when our first baby was born : when you hold the baby's feet up with one hand (while using the other hand to wipe or manipulate the diaper), make sure you do not clench his/her ankles together as this can be painful (for the baby). So hold one little foot between thumb and index finger, and the other between index finger and middle finger. That way your index finger will act as a "buffer".

Answer 2

We had the same problem. Then the nurse suggested to feed the baby before changing him. So my wife would feed him from one side, letting the baby soothe, then we would change him (without crying this time), finally feed on the other side.

Make sure you make the baby burp before changing, or the "handling" may cause reflux.

My son was born in winter, so we also thought it was for the cold. Turns out that wasn't the case!