Share your top tips for nappy changing with Asda for the chance to win £100 Asda voucher! *NOW CLOSED*

[KathrynMumsnet]

We’ve been asked by the Asda Little Angels team to find out your tips for nappy changes.

Here’s what Asda Little Angels says: “Here at Little Angels, we understand how busy life can be when looking after your little one. With lots of nappy changes each and every day; from quick changes to messier episodes, we’d love to know your top tips on how to keep baby clean and content! “

So, are there any tips for nappy changing that you wish you had known before you had your baby? Do you have any tricks for preventing leaks? Or maybe you’ve developed a system for speedy nappy changing? Whatever your top tips are, we’d love to hear them!

Everyone who comments on this thread will be entered into a prize draw, where one lucky Mumsnetter will win a £100 Asda voucher.

Please note your tips and comments may be used, along with your MN nickname in an email MN will send out. Your tips and comments may well also be used elsewhere anonymously by Asda.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

With little babies especially, ifthey've done a poo, for goodness sake keep hold of their little ankles with one hand. Otherwise first one tiny foot, then the other will kick into the poop and you'll soon have a much bigger clean up job on your hands!

Give them a toy to hold while changing them, and if all else fails, distract them from wriggling by shouting 'there's a dog!' And pointing into space while grabbing legs and putting nappy tapes in place and applying cream...

Have everything to hand before you start the nappy change.

Make sure the nappy bag is out of reach from your LO's grabbing hands!

I got told about boys weeing as soon as you take the nappy off so I was prepared for that one!

The one thing I didn't know until recently was that the vests can go down the body / legs so if soiled that is what you do as opposed to taking it off over the head (amazing!)

Try to have a toy handy for baby to look or play with. Aldo make sure to have a mat underneath baby in case of accidents.

If you have a wriggly 18 month old, have a toy or teddy to hand to keep them occupied rather than running off!

For newborn baby girls turn the changing mat upside down, so with the ridge that normally goes at the top by the baby's feet. If she pees as soon as you take the nappy off this will contain it and stop it from running out onto the carpet.

My little one is 8 months old and he never wants to sit or lie down ... so i make sure i have everything ready, lie him down and give him a drink of water and then i can change his bum without him moving! Failing that ... out some music on when i change him ... he will sit still all day then!

Put old towels (that you don't mind chucking if necessary) on the changing mat. Soaks up any wee accidents without it all rolling off and in the event of a poo disaster you can throw it away.
I've got a mat with sloped sides to prevent rolling off.
Mats upstairs and downstairs are brilliant, especially after a c section
This is a great website for cheap nappy deals www.bumdeal.co.UK
Everything PPs have said about boys weeing with nappies off is true. I kind of see getting weed on as a baby boy rite of passage though!

I definitely second the towel on the change mat trick. I bought a stack of hand towels from Ikea for 20p each that have been a lifesaver.

Also, toilet paper followed by wet cotton pads is a cheap alternative to wet wipes when at home. Of course, wet wipes are invaluable when out but don't assume that expensive is always better. Little Angels extra sensitive wipes are just as good as Water Wipes at a fraction of the price.

Finally, if poo explodes all up their back it's time to go up a size.

As soon as you smell poo, just change the nappy asap. Otherwise the 2 year old gets his hand down there and waves a fistful of fecal matter under my nose to let me know

1. The frills should be outside of the nappy to prevent leaks.
2. When you open up the nappy hold it in place for a few seconds to catch any open air wees.

Changing them on the floor is much easier (and often safer) than using a changing table.

Make sure everything is ready before you start: bag open, nappy unfolded, some wipes out of the bag.

Distract them with singing, toys, silly faces. Basically, whatever it takes to keep them happy!

Never change them near a Dyson hand dryer. Ever.

Make it quick

For toddlers pull their trousers/tights round their ankles to hobble them and change them standing up

With a girl, always wipe from front to back to prevent infections. Although that’s not an issue with a boy, you should always put a cloth over his penis to prevent a spray of urine during the nappy change.

If possible keep an area free just for nappy changes then you can keep everything out that you need, including a new nappy ready for use.I also keep one toy just for nappy changing so it remains novel and desirable. I used washable nappies and used to hold ones with solid matter in a clean loo and flush to remove the solid matter before soaking them.

For little boys: Let some air get to the willy and then cover it back up with the nappy as the cool air makes them wee! After a few seconds, it should be safe to continue with the nappy change.

Change them on the floor whenever possible and be as quick as you can.

Hang a mobile or some toys above the changing table to keep LO entertained and less wriggly while being changed

Change the nappy with the baby lying on a disposible pad on the floor - that way your DD can't fall. Also, disposible nappies the first few weeks are essential

It sounds simple but always have everything prepared before hand and then you can do it so much quicker.

We've always used cotton pads and lotion to clean the kids bums. So much better than cotton wool and water. We use wipes when out and about but at. Home it really helps with our kids stupidly sensitive bums.

Preparation is crucial if you've got a wriggler like my second daughter! I had to give her toys to amuse her, get wipes out ready and be as quick as possible! Her big sister sang nursery rhymes to distract her if she was home from school, that was a big help too!

the floor is cheaper, safer and easier than a changing table - do not waste your money on one! Also, have everything ready - esp if your child is a wriggler like mine!

some babies especially newborns - don't like the feel of the plastic changing mat on bare skin place an old towel over it to make it a bit more comfortable, Use it as an opportunity to sing or chat to your baby it'll be reassuring for them and make it more enjoyable

With boys a dampened piece of cotton wool over their penis to absorb and prevent being sprayed. Soothing music helps calm them down if they are riggling a bit beforehand and works well as a distration method.