Nappies 

 

At the fourth week of the baby  

New mothers are often uncertain  whether to opt for disposable nappies or terry toweling ones. Choosing terries seems a big initial outlay as well as the nappies you also  need a bucket for soaking, the sterilizing solution , nappy liners, plastic pants and nappy pins. However, terries do work  out  cheaper  in the  long run, and many mothers find them more efficient at keeping a young baby dry. 

The decision will depend largely on your circumstances, If you  have an  automatic washing machine and have space to dry things, then terries may well be best. Some mothers find that  terry nappies are more absorbent, especially for  a small breast-fed baby, and that they therefore have fewer baby cloth  to wash. Terries may seem fiddly to put on at first, but it doesn't take long once you're  used to it-even in the dark in  the middle of the night. 

If you don't have much space  and washing is  a problem, disposable nappies are the more practical solution . Try out several differing kinds  and make sure they don't  irritate your baby's bottom. Elasticized legs are  a good idea for small babies, Modern all-in-one disposables are convenient , very absorbent and are  less bulky than terry  nappies . There  are also special designs produced for girls and boys.

Changing nappies can be done quickly if you can have everything in one place near to the changing mat or table. Make sure that cleaning materials,  cream and fresh nappies and liners are to hand. If  you are using terries, keeps the sterilizing bucket nearby.

	(1) Wipe the baby's bottom and then use cotton wool and warm water or cleanse her skin. Take care to clean and dry thoroughly  in the folds or the skin may get sore.
(2) Use zinc and castor oil cream or another preparation to protect the skin. If a rash develops, ask your  health visitor for advice.
	(3) Put on a clean nappy, fastening the sticky tape of a disposable nappy at the front ( Remember to wipe a girl from front to back to prevent bacteria spreading from the anus to the vagina

Night Changing

Many babies fill their nappies after a feed. If you change the nappy first, the  baby may go back to sleep after her feed but with a drifty nappy ; If you change it after the feed, you may wake her up. Most babies settle into a pattern quit  quickly. You can get special thick terries or  disposables, and one-way nappy liners, for night-time use. If you change a nappy quickly  and keep the room dark, your  are unlikely to disturb her very much and this may prevent her getting sore. Breast-fed babies are much less prone to nappy rash.