I have created a nice little game for myself when changing diapers. Have you guys ever seen the Cup Stacking people (if not, here's a video)? I imagine myself as one of these people when I am changing Abram's diaper. I know it's really not the same thing at all, but I like to picture my hands flying around quicker than the human eye can see them. The big difference between the kids/adults messing up and me messing up is I get a shirt/face full of pee and they get a floor full of knocked over cups....I would take the cups any day.
I learned a lot during Abram's first month of life in the realm of diaper changing. Here are my steps now for a clean/quick change:
- Set the little guy down on the changing table
- Undress whatever he is bundled in
- Get a replacement diaper
- Open replacement diaper and have the flaps out so it can immediately be replaced under Abram's tush
- Pull out a couple wipes and have them next to him ready for immediate wipe-age
- If necessary -- have the Desitin cream out with cap off...again, ready for immediate application post wipe-age
- Have the Pee-Pee Teepee ready (in the newborn stage) -- this is a very useful tool to try to prevent even the most well planned diaper change accidents -- WARNING -- This item falls off easily! Watch for the squirt gun!!
- Finally -- take off his diaper
- QUICK!! -- put replacement diaper under his tush
- QUICKER!! wipe his tush...make sure it's all clean!!
- YOU'RE SLOWING DOWN! HURRY!! Use the Teepee and hope it stays
- APPLY DESITIN CREAM (when applicable)
- .....Too slow...your little one pooped again - start back at step 1
- Good, you're back at this step...now, hurry! Start putting the front of the diaper in place for completion!!..HURRY!!
- ....grab a towel...your little man just peed everywhere, not fast enough...wipe your face, clothes, his belly and the changing table down...start back at step 1
- Great! You are back! At this point, he is probably empty...I would still suggest hurrying! Quickly put the front part of the diaper in place, strap the flaps into place
- Congratulations, you have successfully changed your baby's diaper! Put his clothes back on now and repeat in 2-120 minutes
I only learned these "tricks" after many I Guess I'm Due moments at the changing table. I learned how to change a diaper in the classes we took during pregnancy, but I didn't realize how quickly you needed to move! It has been a wet, dirty, exhausting experience, but I can say that I have dramatically increased my personal best.