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

My baby is a real wriggler so speedy nappy changes are essential.

I get everything ready first, nappy bag open ready, wipes open, new nappy open. Then I slide the new nappy under her current nappy, open old nappy, wipe, put old nappy in bin, and do up new nappy. It saves so many accidents!

I used to ask my son if he was trying to nibble his toes - it put him in the right position and he loved making me laugh as I would pretend I couldn't understand why he was nibbling his own toes - once the nappy was changed I would have a nibble myself! I suppose it is as simple as distracting them isn't it?

Also I didn't understand why some people wouldn't fold and reseal the dirty nappy - the tabs restick down so you close it, fold up again and then wrap and stick the tabs down - my husband didn't do it and it really wound me up!

I always sing to my girls when I change their nappies, they don't mind being on the changing mat as they know it's 'singing time'!

I always run my finger round the elastic but round the legs of the new nappy to make sure they're pulled into the right place to prevent leaks and make sure the nappy isn't inbetween baby's bottom cheeks! Always helps!

JUST GET ALL THINGS NEEDED BY THE CHANGING MAT AS WITH WRIGGLEY BUMS TRYING ALWAYS TO GET AWAY I WOULD HAVE A FAV TOY OR BOOK TO KEEP THEM BUSY BE QUICK AND SWIFT FAST GETAWAY

Toy box in the living room to keep nappies changing supplies close to hand when needed throughout the day but tidy.

Put the clean nappy underneath before opening the used one.

When pregnant I bought some incontinence type pads to protect the bed in case my waters broke overnight, I never needed them but used them for the really bad 'poo-nami' changes.

As soon as they can, changing none poo nappies standing up is best, if they do wee, it doesnt require new clothes.

For little boys, the cotton wool or wipe over penis is definately worth doing to avoid needing a full set of clothes every change.

oh yes and incontience pads do make exellent disposable changing mats, worth having one in the car to put over car seats if changing baby in the car.

Undo the old nappy and let some air about their bum before recovering as they will undoubtable do a pee as soon as the nappy is off - ive always heard this about boys but my wee girl was exactly the same!

Have the wipes out ready and a poo bag and clean nappy OPEN and on hand. Then either pin down using legs OR if in public distract with mobile phone/keys/ anything that they are never usually allowed and hope that for once they won't scream blue murder!

Pop a terry nappy on the.changing mat. Especially for little girls. It means that when (not if) she pees mid change, the terry soaks it up, and it should miss her clothes.
When they get to toddler age, have a repertoire of silly songs with funny faces to sing. A toddler giggling at mummy singing and pulling faces is a toddler who is not tantruming or running away.

Keep a really interesting toy which you only give them while changing their nappy - reduces the wriggling a lot. Have everything ready before you start and talk and sing all the way through. If you have a little one who learns to take off their nappy seal them on with parcel tape!

I tell all my friends who had babies to invest in two piece night wear for their babies,so separate top and bottoms. This makes changing nappies in the middle of the night so much easier. Save the onesie type of baby wear for the day time.

Always pack spare clothes, the one day you don't there'll be a poonami

Poor baby number two, I guarantee you'll use half as many nappies as you did for PFB

Get everything ready before hand and work fast!

Before you unleash a nappy have EVERYTHING you need ready at hand out of your bag or buggy. You never know what you might be dealing with and your beloved will flail his or her legs around with great glee no matter what may happen. Trying to fish the baby wipes or clean nappy from the bottom of a bag while holding juniors feet may result in a smelly catastrophe!

Have everything to hand - wipes, nappy, cream.
If little one is wriggly give them a small toy or make faces and noises to distract them.

For my toddler, who likes to run off during nappy changes, the simple answer is - put Bing on the TV, and place her mat so she can see the screen. Hey presto, easy nappy change.

I wish I had done that with my first child, I think perhaps I was being PFB about the TV back then. But that wore off ages ago now!

When they get to toddler stage they need a distraction so I have a pile of books by our changing station to keep dc's interest.

Before I had my son I never thought about putting his willy down when changing nappies. It prevents a lot of leaks!

DS3 is a wriggler at nappy change time, far more than his brothers ever were. I have found a few things that help (but it is still a painful experience ):

• Never try to do it all in one go (at least with DS3). If you set manageable goals (take off nappy & wipe bum, put new nappy on, put trousers on)it will seem more achievable.

• DS3 seems to wriggle less on a high-up changing station (such as you get in shops/restaurants) than he does on the floor

• Raspberries on the belly or neck work wonders keeping DS3 still

• I try to point DS3 towards the TV (or older brothers) if possible.

Reusable wipes are brilliant. So much easier than disposables (although have been using disposables away from home to use up gifts) and kinder on the skin.

If you want to be doubly sure that baby's bottom is dry. Use a flannel. My DD has a habit of weeing whilst I'm giving her bottom an air, and the flannel has caught these several times, meaning there's not a puddle and clothes don't need changing.

My babies loved having their nappies off so they could kick their legs and chew their feet. To enable me to shower in the morning I'd line the change mat with a terry nappy and let them lie naked on it on the bathroom floor. Works until they are mobile!

Oh and keep your sense of humour. One day you will laugh at the nappy explosion mid feed that covered the baby, you, the bedclothes and narrowly missed you husbands head in the middle of the night.

Have everything ready to hand!!

Always carry a wet flannel in a nappy bag - that way if you run outt of wipes you have something still there. I always carried my own small mat too