Oh my newborn is so cuddly to hold, cute when she coos, and smells so good (most of the time).  In between those newborn oohing and aahing from Mama and Baba, there is a whole lot of feeding which means a whole lot of diaper changing.  Recently, my oohs and aahs have changed to ewws and arghs.  Let me tell you what’s happening.

When I first got home from the hospital, I was told to keep a record of the number of “bowel moments” (aka poopy diapers) and “voids” (aka pee pee).  I didn’t know that my first three days of motherhood would be spent analyzing the insides of new daughter’s diapers.  Who knew that I would become an expert in my baby’s poop! 

I watched as the first baby poop went from black and tar-like, which was “meconium” (a lot of people did tell me about this) to greeny mustardy which was “good” if my baby did that.  But what I wish someone told me is how to get that tar-like stuff off my baby.  You can’t just use water and soap and your good ol’ baby wipes.  The answer to this: olive oil.  It’s natural, safe and most likely in your kitchen cabinet.  But, WAIT, that’s not what I really wished someone told me.

I’m telling you…  When your baby wakes up after a good two hours, most likely, your baby will poop.  If you feel her diaper and it seems heavy, your next move will be to want to change her.  Naturally.  You are a new mother, this is exciting.  You read all about this in the books, feeding and changing diapers, you can DO this!  But DON’T change her.  Well, at least not right away.  Instead, put her on your change pad and give her tummy a good rub.  What happens?  Poop explosion.  Then, you might think okay let’s change her now.  But DON’T!  Give her tummy another rub down and wait for another minute or so, you may get a second, maybe third poop explosion.  My hubby will be sure to tell you the same after some nice stains on his jeans and our “white” carpet.  :)

Next, now that you are sure it is really safe, take the old diaper off and quickly put the new diaper in its place before you wipe your baby down – IN CASE – IN CASE she might have a little bit more left (which also happens – quite frequently.)  Or, you could keep the old diaper in its place while you wipe her down but I find that she kicks so much that she can get poop on her feet and legs too.  I told you there were ewws and arghs in this post.  Keep a roll of paper towels near by too. 

There you have it.  I wish someone told me this about poop and changing diapers and now you know too!  

There are a great number of books about taboo topics like, ‘poop and gas.’  While they are a good read for kids who are shy or embarrassed about their bodily functions, they are a good laugh for adults too.  Check out:  ”The Truth About Poop” by Susan Goodman or “The Gas We Pass” by Shinto Cho.  And be sure to check out the hilarious: “Safe Baby Handling Tips” by David and Kelly Sopp (that’s where the pictures on this post are from.)
image credit: keepin it real

An Invitation

Do you have any tips while you change your baby’s diapers?  Share with us in the comments below and let’s save our upholstery and clothes together.