Dirty Diapers and Diaper Rash
When you have a newborn, dirty diapers are a part of daily life. But changing diapers is more than just a chore. It’s also a way to make sure your baby is healthy. This sheet will help you know what’s normal and what’s not.
Wet Diapers
Your baby should have at least 8 wet diapers a day. More than 8 is okay. But fewer could mean the baby is not drinking enough fluids (dehydrated) or not eating enough. If this happens, call the doctor.
Bowel Movements
Some babies have a bowel movement after every feeding. Others only have one every couple of days. If your baby doesn’t have a bowel movement for 1–2 days and seems uncomfortable, call the doctor. The baby may be constipated. But if the baby seems okay and is eating well, don’t worry. You don’t need to call the doctor.
Normal Stool
The baby’s stool may look different depending on what he or she eats:
Breast milk results in light yellow stool that looks like watery cottage cheese.
Formula results in stool that’s darker brown, firmer, and more pasty.
Signs of a Problem
Call the doctor if you notice either of the following:
Diarrhea is thin and watery, and more frequent than normal stool.
Constipation occurs when the stool is hard and pebblelike.
Warmth and dampness against the baby’s skin inside the diaper can cause diaper rash.
Diaper Rash
Most babies get diaper rash at some point. The warmth and dampness inside the diaper causes skin irritation around the groin and buttocks. Diaper rash is most common with disposable diapers. But it can happen with cloth diapers, too. To prevent diaper rash:
Change the baby’s diapers often.
Gently clean the diaper area and pat it dry before putting on a new diaper. Or leave the diaper off for a little while so the area can air-dry.
Use only mild, unscented soaps on the baby.
Protect the skin in the baby’s diaper area with an ointment containing zinc oxide. This forms a barrier that helps prevent diaper rash by keeping moisture away from the skin. When you change a diaper, gently remove only the top layer of ointment. Then spread more on top of it. (Don’t rub off all of the ointment. This hurts the skin and can make diaper rash worse.)
If your baby’s diaper rash doesn’t get better, even with zinc oxide, call the doctor.