Changing or Feeding: What to Do First with a Newborn

Photo by @ammenmaerchen

 

As parents of a newborn, there is an incredible amount to learn and you want to optimize every process as much as possible. One of the many questions that new parents ask themselves is whether they should change their baby’s diaper before or after breastfeeding.

In this article, you’ll find all the information you need about changing your newborn’s diaper and when the best time is for you to do it.

Should I change my newborn’s diaper before or after breastfeeding? The answer to this question is very individual. Many babies soil their diaper shortly after eating, in which case it’s best to change your child after breastfeeding. Other newborns like to fall asleep at the breast, so you should change your baby before feeding in order not to wake them up again.

Remember, you know your baby best, so pay attention to their behavior and change their diaper according to their individual needs. 

How often should I change my newborn’s diaper?

To avoid skin irritations, you should change your newborn’s diaper every 2 to 3 hours. But keep in mind: every baby is different, and your child may urinate more or less at different times. Often, babies urinate less at night than during the day (provided they already have a day-night rhythm), so your baby might be able to wear the same diaper longer at night than during the day.

Important: If there is stool in the diaper, it must be changed immediately.

 

Breastfeed first, then change the diaper—or the other way around?

The fact is that feeding stimulates the digestive tract. That is why many newborns soil their diaper during or shortly after feeding.

If this is the case with your baby, it makes sense to change their diaper after breastfeeding.

But be careful: If your baby often spits up after breastfeeding, you should wait a bit before changing the diaper or make sure not to put too much pressure on their tummy.

Other babies fall asleep during or after nursing without having a bowel movement. In this case, you probably don’t want to wake your baby after feeding, so it’s better to change their diaper before breastfeeding and only again when they are awake.

Your baby might also get impatient as soon as they feel hungry and may not want to wait until their diaper is changed. Try to recognize the first signs of hunger so you can change your baby's diaper before they get too hungry.

You know your baby best and will quickly figure out which way works for you, and whether you should change your newborn’s diaper before or after breastfeeding. If you are still uncertain about breastfeeding, you can also consult a lactation consultant. Nathalie Pulcini offers the course "Confident Breastfeeding," in which she answers all questions about the topic.

Photo by @anni.und.die.bande

Problems While Changing Diapers

Especially first-time parents can easily become unsure when they can’t clearly interpret their baby’s reactions. That’s why we’ve gathered typical problems that can occur when changing diapers, along with their causes and possible solutions.

Baby cries during diaper changes

Maybe the changing area isn’t warm enough and your baby feels cold? This problem is best solved with a heat lamp. It could also be that the changing mat is too uncomfortable, so make sure you use a soft pad.

Maybe your baby just finds diaper changing time too boring. Try to make the changing area interesting, for example with a mobile or some exciting toys. You can also entertain your baby with finger games, sweet songs, or funny faces. Simply experiment to find out what works best for you.

You can also use diaper changing time to strengthen your bond with your baby. Communicate with your baby and pay attention to their reactions and little sounds. Maybe you can cuddle in between, or give your little one a baby massage. This way, your baby will associate diaper changing with something positive. These mindful moments are not only relaxing but also help strengthen the bond with your baby and promote their development.

If nothing else works, a change of surroundings can sometimes help. Maybe try changing your baby on the sofa or on a blanket on the floor. Always make sure the environment is safe.

Baby spits up during diaper changes

If your baby often spits up during diaper changes, it could mean that the time between feeding and changing is too short and the many movements are irritating their stomach. After feeding, wait a little before changing your baby’s diaper, or let them kick around without a diaper for a while.

Skin irritations in the diaper area

Skin irritations, such as rashes or diaper dermatitis, can have a variety of causes. Your child might not tolerate wet wipes or other products, like creams or ointments. As an alternative to wet wipes, you can simply use reusable washcloths for cleaning.

Disposable diapers are often the cause of diaper area rashes because the non-breathable material blocks the airflow necessary for wound healing and prevention of diaper dermatitis and other skin irritations.

Cloth diapers, however, are particularly suitable for the prevention of diaper dermatitis. With Judes, you’re in exactly the right place. Many parents have told us that, since they started using our cloth diapers, they no longer have problems with diaper dermatitis or diaper thrush. This is because our diapers are especially breathable. We achieve this through two technical innovations:

1. We use especially breathable organic cotton for the inner diaper. We choose a very thin yet extremely tightly woven cotton twill. This offers several benefits: It fits snugly, is highly absorbent, and is breathable.
2. We use at least 10 layers of this cotton twill. This creates spaces in between where air can circulate. When using Judes, we actually recommend not using any cream on your baby’s bottom—it's simply not necessary since the skin barrier isn’t compromised. The bottom maintains its natural temperature and stays healthy!

Photo by @ablondegirlsjourney

Diaper leaks

Wrong diaper size

One of the main reasons for leaky diapers is the wrong size. The size of the diaper guarantees an optimal fit, ensures perfectly sealed cuffs, and provides enough absorbent material. Especially with newborns, moving up to the next size is often unnecessarily delayed, which leads to more frequent accidents.

Incorrect fit of the diaper

Another crucial point is the proper fit of the diaper in order to prevent leaks. For perfect leak protection, even at the back, the diaper should neither be too tight nor too loose.

Inappropriate diaper changing schedule

No matter how absorbent a diaper is or how well it fits, if you wait too long to change it, it will eventually leak. So remember to change your baby’s diaper regularly. 

Diaper only leaks at night

If your newborn’s diaper stays dry during the day but leaks during longer stretches of night sleep, it could simply mean it isn’t suitable as a night diaper.

Night diapers should fit well so they stay leak-proof all night long. This means the diaper must fit snugly and comfortably—not too loose and not too tight. It should also be as absorbent as possible to keep everything in for up to twelve hours. Nighttime changing should also be uncomplicated.

Learn which cloth diaper is best for nighttime and many more tips for changing diapers at night. 

How often does a breastfed baby have a bowel movement?

The frequency of bowel movements varies from baby to baby. Especially in exclusively breastfed babies, fluctuations can be huge. Anywhere from several times a day to only once every 14 days is considered normal.

Would you like to learn more about breast milk stools? Then check out this blog article: Digestion in newborns: The FAQ on breast milk stools.

How can I encourage my newborn’s bowel movements?

If you feel that your baby is having trouble with bowel movements or even stomach pain, there are a few ways to support their digestion:

1. Breastfeeding – It’s important to ensure your baby gets enough breast milk. Breastfeeding alone promotes bowel movements. Breast milk contains enzymes that act as natural laxatives and stimulate digestion.
2. Abdominal massage – A gentle tummy massage can help stimulate your newborn’s digestion and relieve constipation. Gently massage your baby’s belly in a clockwise direction and be careful not to apply too much pressure.
3. Warm bath – A warm bath can also help stimulate your baby’s digestion. Warm water relaxes the abdominal muscles, helping your baby to relax. This often results in a bowel movement.
4. Fluid intake – It’s important that your baby gets enough fluids to avoid constipation. Make sure your baby consumes enough milk or water. Caution: Before starting solids, your baby does not need any additional fluids besides breast milk or infant formula!

How Judes supports you during the breast milk stool phase

The advantage of Judes cloth diapers is how uncomplicated and easy they are to use in everyday life. And this applies even in the very first days of life: Whether it’s meconium or breast milk stool – Judes keep everything in.

Because breast milk stool is water-soluble, it can simply be washed out of the diaper in the washing machine. We’ve developed a skin-friendly detergent suitable for cloth diapers and baby clothes.

If you ever get stains in the inner diaper, you can just hang it out in the sun. After a few hours, the discoloration will be gone.

I hope this text has answered all your questions! If you have any more questions or tips about changing diapers, please let us know in the comments! For more information about our cloth diapers, follow us on Instagram and exchange ideas with other Judes users in the comments.