Nappy Advice Guide




A useful guide about using and changing nappies

The topics below cover the most frequently asked questions and provide helpful tips on changing nappies.

Changing little wriggle-bottoms

As your baby gets older, they will no longer lie beautifully still on their back making cooing noises whilst giving you a loving smile. Oh no! Look out world, here I come! Sometimes it can be very annoying and positively exhausting when you have to wrestle with a baby or young toddler who won't keep still. Try and keep cool though, it's just a phase they are going through and they will eventually grow out of it. A lot depends on their character, some children tend to be more passive and easy to placate, while others (including my own!) just want to get on and explore! However, it will make your life a great deal easier if you can try and tame them a little...

Below are a few tips on how to help calm that little wriggler. The technique that works best will depend on your child and their stage of development.

Nappy Advice Guide

Don't change on the floor

Some evidence tends to suggest that if a baby/child cannot physically escape anywhere, they will have to lie still. The more limited the space, the sooner they will learn that they have to lie still. Changing tables are great - or the top of a dressing table etc. But remember NEVER leave your child unattended - not even for a second.

Have a little 'surprise' up your sleeve for that crucial moment when the wriggling starts!
Distraction Techniques

This worked well for me. Have a little "surprise" up your sleeve, and have it ready to hand for that crucial moment when the wriggling starts! This can be a toy, book, or anything else that you can summon out of your bag (as long as it's safe). But remember - don't get it out until they start to wriggle or they may get bored with it before you finish!

Perhaps there is a special song you can play or sing at nappy changing times?

Be organised

Make sure you have everything you need close at hand. This way you will be much quicker and your little escapee has less opportunity to make a run for it.
 
Be firm - then reward

Make it quite clear from the start that at nappy changing times your child has to lie still. If you choose this method, it could save you a great deal of hassle later on, but you must be consistent and not allow them to wriggle one day but not the next.

To reinforce good behaviour, give a reward for being good and lying still.

Involve older children in the nappy changing process

Let them help you get things ready. What do we need, a nappy, liner, wipes etc etc. Thank them for their help. Obviously, I realise that this is sometimes awkward when you are out and about or in a hurry, but it may encourage more positive behaviour which in turn will be easier when you are out.

Change them sitting or standing

Sometimes it is the lying down that they so detest - not so much the changing. If this is the case, it might be an idea to change their nappy while they are sitting or standing, be careful if you are doing this on a changing table! Take the dirty nappy off them and then put the new one on as they sit or stand. If you are using cotton knitted nappies, this could be a little challenging, but cotton shaped nappies and eco disposable nappies can be changed in this way.

 

Eco disposable nappies and samples?

These nappies are the perfect solution for those parents/carers who cannot or do not want to use washables or who need disposables to take away on holiday. At Spirit of Nature we stock BAMBO NATURE and MOLTEX. We chose to stock these 2 brands in particular as they have been certified free from harmful toxic residues by well-known and reputable certification bodies (Greenpeace, Eco-Test Magazine, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency) and have both received awards for eco-friendliness.

BAMBO NAPPIES

  • Approx. 80% biodegradable
  • Is oxygen-bleached rather than chlorine bleached
  • Has no lotions or creams that can cause allergies
  • Has some superabsorber in the core but less than conventional disposables
  • Substitues superabsorber with natural absorbers fluff pulp and wheat starch which biodegrade
  • Uses breathable backsheet
  • Nappies produced using state-of-the-art technology that is highly ecological
  • Available in mini, midi, maxi, maxi+ and junior
  •  

    MOLTEX

  • Approx. 70% biodegradable
  • Packaging 100% biodegradable
  • Unbleached core
  • No lotions or creams that can cause allergies
  • Breathable backsheet
  • Available in mini, midi, maxi and junior sizes 
  •  

    PINGO

  • Produced with green electricity, certified by NaturemadeStar
  • Core nappy layer is made from FSC-certified cellulose, helping more sustainable forestry
  • Low-impact product design uses fewer materials, without compromising performance or comfort
  • Thin and highly absorbent centrepiece that quickly absorbs and traps moisture for up to 12 hours
  • Leak-proof construction with Elasticated legs and wide wings
  • Available in newborn, mini, midi, maxi and junior sizes
  • KIT & KIN

  • Made from cornstarch and natural polymers
  • Award winning hypoallergenic nappy with premium performance
  • Super absorbent core contains chlorine-free fluff pulp harvested from sustainably managed forests
  • Kit & Kin are proud to be a member of PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
  • Every pack sold, Kit & kin fund the purchase of rainforest through the World Land Trust
  • Brilliant animal patterns and prints!
  • Available in newborn, mini, midi, maxi and junior sizes
  • gNAPPIES

  • A hybrid nappy that uses a washable cloth pant outer with either disposable or washable inserts
  • Disposable gRefill inserts are 100% biodegradable
  • gRefill insert Cradle-to-Cradle certifed (Silver)
  • gRefill insert suitable for home composting (wet ones only)
  • No parabens

  • NÜ  BAMBOO NAPPIES

  • Made from sustainable resources
  • Super-soft top sheet
  • 100% bamboo pulp
  • 100% tree free
  • Chlorine free
  • Excellent absorbability both wet and re-wet
  • Naturally compostable
  • Outer packaging innovation
  • Only genuine ‘end of life’ nappy in the UK
  •  

    Changing nappies - how often?

    How often you need to change your baby depends largely on your baby and their needs.

    Some babies have very delicate skin and need changing the minute they wet their nappy, otherwise they will get red and sore because of the ammonia that is released when they pee. Others seem tougher and are fine to be changed before or after every feed. All babies need to be changed when they dirty their nappy to prevent nappy rash developing due to the bacteria in their stools.

    As far as the nappy is concerned the more absorbent the nappy, the less frequent you will need to change. Which is why it is well worth investing in a good washable nappy system.

    As a rough guideline:

    Newborns need to be changed around 10-12 times a day and before or after every night feed.

    Babies under 6 months need to be changed 8-10 times a day (around every 2½ hours) and before/after every night feed. This can be increased to every 4 hours when your baby starts to drop night feeds and gets older.

    Babies/toddlers over 6 months need changing around every 4 hours.

    Toddlers over 12 months usually need changing around 4 times a day - depending on when they dirty their nappy.

    Tip: If your child develops nappy rash, you need to take extra care and change the nappy as soon as it becomes wet or dirty. This way the ammonia in the pee and the bacteria in the stools do not have the chance to make the rash even worse. For more information, see our tips under Nappy Rash.

    Nappy rash

    Something that all of us seem to have to deal with at some point or other. Some babies seem to be absolutely prone to nappy rash and others don't. The rash may involve just a few raised spots, or an extensive and intense irritation of the whole nappy area.

    It can be triggered by a number of different things e.g. what breastfeeding mothers have eaten - usually too acid or spicey, what the baby has eaten - usually too acidic, teething, a bout of tummy trouble where stools are more "aggressive" than usual, or quite simply being left in a wet/soiled nappy too long.

    Tips for dealing with it:

  • Change your child's nappy as soon as it is wet or soiled
  • Try not to give your child too much juice or acidic fruit
  • Let the air get to your child's bottom as much as possible. If you have a young baby, make sure you put a towel or something absorbent under him/her at changing times and let them just kick about with no nappy on as long as you can (make sure they don't get cold though). If you have a toddler, let them toddle about with no nappy on, try and do this just after they have emptied their bladder and/or bowels if you want to avoid "accidents"
  • Don't use harsh cleaning products - conventional wipes can be so aggressive and aggravate the condition even more so. Our fragrance free wipes are chlorine free and very soothing. They moisturise the skin rather than dry it out! If you're at home, use a little luke-warm water with a few drops of baby oil in it and some cotton wool. That's a very gentle way to clean.
  • Use a good but natural barrier cream. We stock a number of products that are all natural, yet still provide excellent protection
  • Please trust your instinct though - if none of the above remedies seem to help and the rash continues or gets worse, please seek the advice of a GP, Pharmacist or Health Visitor as your child may need an anti-fungal cream (in the case of thrush) or a corticosteroid cream (for severe eczema).

    What to use to clean baby's bottom

    There are so many products available to clean your baby's bottom. Many of the conventional products contain some quite horrible ingredients, including formaldehyde, synthetic perfumes and chlorine, to name a few. Really they are totally unsuitable for sensitive baby skin.

    When you are at home

    If you have the time, make this a special time to bond with your baby. Play a musical mobile, sing a special song, spend time getting close. The best way to clean your baby at nappy changing times is with warm water with a few drops of baby oil.

    The water will cleanse and the oil will help to cleanse and moisturise. After washing, let your baby kick around to dry themself or pat dry with a soft towel, muslin etc. When the skin is completely dry, check folds, under testicles etc., apply some natural barrier cream and put on a new nappy.

    When you are out and about

    Time is sometimes of the essence, especially when there is a queue of frantic parents with babies and toddlers behind you, all wanting to get on and shop! Obviously, you cannot make such a special thing of it. A pack of wipes and some barrier cream will do nicely. Again, try and choose a natural wipe (these will also double up as facial and hand wipes for older children).

    Once the nappy area has been cleaned, try and let the skin dry as best as possible to avoid soreness and then apply a barrier cream.

    See our full range of essentials like nappies, wipes, nappy sacks and bodycare.

    If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us. Call Spirit Of Nature at 0333 400 1800 - we are only there to help you!