7 Steps to Change a Diaper in a Child Care Setting

One of the most important tasks to handle when you’re performing child care is the changing of diapers. Failing to change a baby promptly can lead to a nasty rash and bad reviews that can hurt your business. If you’re going to take care of children, you need to be ready to change a diaper safely and efficiently. Here are seven steps to take when making a change.

1. Prepare

You’ll want to have all of your supplies near your changing table before you start working on the baby. This includes diapers, wipes, cream and liners. You’ll also want to have a trash can near you so that you can dispose of any dirty diapers as soon as possible. The first thing you’ll want to do is place a clean liner on the changing table.

2. Clean The Child Up

The next thing you’ll want to do is unfasten the child’s diaper and use a wipe to clean the baby or toddler. When wiping, you’ll want to wipe from front to back. It’s easier to clean that way, and it’s also more sanitary. You’ll also want to change any clothing that’s gotten soiled.

3. Toss Trash

When changing diapers, you’ll want to throw them away. Folding them over with any wipes and fecal matter wrapped up in them is a great way to ensure that you don’t spread any filth. Tossing the used materials in a trash can with a lid is a good way to make sure that the kids you’re watching will avoid getting contaminated.

4. Change Diapers

You’ll want to place a new diaper under the child after you’ve cleaned her up. Make sure that it’s positioned correctly. If there’s a need for cream, you’ll want to apply it with a tissue or a gloved finger. Then you’ll want to fasten the flaps so that there are no avoidable accidents.

5. Clean The Child’s Hands

Dirty hands are a great way to spread disease. The younger the child is, the more likely he’ll be to stick his fingers in his mouth. After dealing with bodily waste, it’s time to wash the child’s hands. Simple soap and water have been shown to kill germs. After the child is cleaned up, he can go back to playing with any other kids in your child care facility.

6. Clean The Changing Area

Once the child is removed from the changing table, you can then start to clean the area. You should have used a disposable liner. You’ll want to throw that away in this step. If there is any fecal matter or urine visible, you’ll want to wipe it up. Then, you should wipe the entire area down with a disinfecting wipe to kill any germs that might be left behind.

7. Wash Your Own Hands

As a childcare provider, you’re about to go back to interacting with children. Dirty diapers can carry germs, and you’ve likely gotten into some of them. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure that your hands are clean before you go back to work. Again, soap and water are great for cleaning your hands and killing germs. Once you’ve cleaned everything up, you can go back to watching the children and wait for the next change. Then you can work through the steps again.