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The time has come. Your newborn has been home long enough to load his diaper, and Mom is resting after giving birth. It's up to you to take on the supposedly Herculean task of a diaper change. You approach the changing table with your new baby, giving yourself a pep talk on the way. With the one diaper practice session in the birthing class seeming to have happened years ago, you've completely forgotten the basics. How does a new dad deal with cloth diapers? It's easier than you think. First, if the newest addition to your family is a boy, you'll want to sidestep the whole peeing in the face ordeal that can strike when the soiled diaper comes off. Have a clean diaper on hand to drape over your son while you get the next diaper ready. To cut down on the amount of time he has to give you a shower, have the next diaper already folded in a clean wrap before you even put him on the changing table. You won't regret it. Girls, on the other hand, don't have the same capabilities, so you needn't worry. Still, having the clean diaper ready to go is always helpful. When it comes to getting a cloth diaper ready, you'll want to start by folding it in thirds. For boys, fold them so the thickest part of the diaper is lengthwise. Girls need their diaper folded so the thickest part is in the very center. Place the diaper in the diaper wrap, put your baby in the diaper, and close the velcro tabs. Make sure no part of the cloth diaper is sticking out around the edges, and check for gaps in the wrap around legs and belly. This will quickly become second nature, and you'll soon be whipping diapers on and off like a pro. Another helpful step to take in these first days of diapering is to place a clean diaper on the changing table under your baby's bottom. Newborns are notorious for having impressively messy diapers. Use the clean diaper to wipe away excess poop, then toss it in the diaper pail with the soiled diaper. This cuts down on the number of wipes you'll need, and the soft cloth is kind to your baby's bottom. If you're a new dad who's still not completely sold on the whole cloth diaper concept, here's something to keep in mind: With cloth diapers you'll be making fewer trips to the trashcan, and your trash won't smell nearly as foul. Using cloth diapers can also cut your weekly garbage bill in half, compared to the cost of using disposables. Cheaper and less smelly are two very nice selling points, especially when you're the one fielding the garbage bag. Also, cloth diapers have evolved over the years. Fitted diaper wraps and velcro have taken the place of plastic pants and those fear-inducing pins. And diaper wraps don't just come in boring white, either. You can find patterns and colors to suit just about any taste, from plain shades of blue and pink, to diaper wraps that look well-suited for infant Harley-riders. As you approach this fleeting phase in your new child's life, keep in mind that diaper changes really are an excellent opportunity for you to get some serious one-on-one, bonding time with your new baby. Jazz up diaper changes by playing with your child's tiny fingers and toes. Play games like "This Little Piggy," invent songs and rhymes, or just plain make faces to entertain your little one while you're getting "down and dirty." With your baby on the changing table you're suddenly up close and personal, right within his or her field of vision, giving this new person in your life the perfect opportunity to get to know your face and voice. Remember, Dads, this child will adore, imitate, and appreciate any attention you give them. Enjoy this attentive, captive audience for now, and you can reflect back on these days years from now, when this same sweet, little baby is suddenly asking for movie money and your car keys. |
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