There are so many things to keep on top of when you have a new baby, and nappy changing is just one of them. It can be difficult to know how often your baby’s nappy needs changing. Not to mention how to avoid a full blown escape when your baby gets to the wriggling stage! Today, parents are bombarded with choices of what kind of nappy changing products to use and the effects these can have on the environment. With all of this to consider it’s hard to know where to begin. Rest assured, this blog is here to answer all of your questions around nappy changing and help make the right choices for you and your baby.

How Often Should I Change My Baby’s Nappy?

You will need to change your baby’s nappy frequently. If your baby is left for too long in a dirty nappy they are at risk of developing a nappy rash which can be extremely painful to their delicate skin. As soon as you notice that your baby has done a pee or poo you should change their nappy right away. Newborn babies may need to be changed as often as 10-12 times per day, whereas older babies need their nappy changed around 6-8 times per day. However, each baby has different nappy changing needs and the key to knowing how often to change your baby’s nappy is by checking them regularly.

How to Change a Wriggling Baby

As parents, nappy changing is something that we are simply expected to know how to do from the get-go. Not all of us have had the time or opportunity to practice with siblings, nieces or nephews and it can be a daunting aspect of becoming a new parent. Changing your baby’s nappy can be especially difficult when they are wriggling around and won’t stay still. Here at Shnuggle we have your back with these top tips on how to change a wriggling baby.

Don’t Change on the Floor

If you are changing a wriggly baby’s nappy directly on the floor, they have all the more freedom to move and escape! Changing your baby on a safe, limited surface space will confine their movements and make the nappy changing process a lot easier, especially if they are at a crawling age. Using a changing mat is a great choice. 

The Shnuggle Squishy Mat can be used on any flat surface at home or on the go. The material is warm to touch so your baby will have that extra comfort to settle down wherever you decide to change them. Always be sure to never leave your baby unattended on a raised surface. If you feel that the floor is a safer position to change your baby in then choose a smaller more confined space like the corner of a room. The Squishy Mat features raised sides to prevent movement and limit the chances of your baby from making an escape during changing time on the floor.

Distraction

This is the most common tactic when changing a wriggling baby’s nappy! When your baby is attempting to wriggle away, simply find something else to catch their attention. There are many different techniques you can use to distract your baby. You can try singing, handing them a favourite toy or even waving a baby wipe in front of them. Its just trial and error to see what works best for your baby.

Standing Up Position

Traditionally, you change a nappy by having your baby lie on their back and put the nappy on around them. However, there is no rule that says this has to be the way. Once your baby gets to the wriggling stage, they are usually able to sit or stand with a bit of help from you.  Try starting from a lying position to at least remove the nappy and start to clean.  If baby starts to wriggle too much, you can then switch to standing to finish the nappy change.  If your baby is old enough, you can try pull-up nappies. When you use the standing up position you are limiting the length of time that your baby has to lay flat and get distracted, once their old nappy has been taken off and they’ve been cleaned up it’s literally pull up and go!

Impact of Nappies on the Environment

An estimated three billion nappies are thrown away every year in the UK, accounting for 2-3% of all household waste, according to recycling charity Wrap. The vast majority of nappies are not recyclable and must be thrown away with general waste. This means they will probably end up in landfill or being burnt, therefore producing greenhouse gas emissions. Wrap says that by the time they are potty trained, a baby could have used 4,000 to 6,000 disposable nappies. Throwaway nappies contain plastic along with the packaging they come in. Sadly, much of this plastic will go to landfill and along with the nappy's contents which can then end up in the water system.  

Now we all know that when it comes to being a new parent, it can be challenging enough to get to grips with all things baby, sleepless nights and constant feeding and changing.  Not to mention then having to start thinking about alternatives to disposable nappies which are quite often the most convenient!  Whether you choose disposable nappies or other alternatives, do what works best for you and your baby.  If you do want to consider other options there are a few eco friendly solutions that can be considered. 

Eco Friendly Solutions

Biodegradable Disposable Nappies

Biodegradable disposable nappies are made from different materials, like bamboo, fabrics and paper pulp. They use a non-chemical absorption method. When you throw them away, they decompose more quickly than ordinary disposable nappies.

Reusable Cloth Nappies

Cloth nappies are 40% less harmful to the environment than traditional disposables and they can be used over and over again. Wrap has calculated that households using cloth nappies reduce their household waste by up to half compared to those continuing to use disposables. For the most environmentally friendly reusable nappies, you’ll want to look for organic cotton and other unbleached natural fibres such as bamboo and hemp. Both are more absorbent than synthetic washable nappies, don’t release plastic microfibers and help your baby’s skin to breathe naturally as they do not contain any chemicals or gels.

Introducing the Eco-Touch Nappy Bin

When designing a nappy bin, we wanted to both support all parent’s choice but also to offer a nappy bin that was a little kinder to the environment.  Made from 100% recyclable plastic, The Eco-Touch Nappy Bin is compatible with disposable, reusable and biodegradable nappies. This innovative cassette free nappy bin reduces ongoing costs and plastic waste. We do not use any single use plastic packaging for this sustainable baby product which can be reused and repurposed when the nappy changing days are over. Also included are Shnuggle’s 100% biodegradable Better Bag Nappy Bin Liners, holding up to 26 nappies at a time.

The Eco-Touch Nappy Bin offers a high quality design with antibacterial touch points and dual-seal odour airlock to ensure a sanitary and comfortable nappy changing environment for you and your baby.

Features of the Eco-Touch Nappy Bin include:

• Fuss free one handed 'drop and go' operation 
• Dual seal odour airlock to trap in unwanted odours
• Cassette free design to save on ongoing costs and plastic waste
• Antibacterial additive on everyday touch points for extra peace of mind
• 100% biodegradable Better Bag bin liners holds up to 26 size 1 nappies
• Compatible with disposable, reusable and biodegradable nappies and wipes to support your choice