Diapering | Beauty and Wellness - Class 6 PDF Download

Even a tiny amount of poop, so small you can’t see it, can contain millions of germs. Reduce the spread of germs by following the guidance below for safe and healthy diapering in the home and in childcare settings.

Steps to Safe and Healthy Diapering

Protect yourself and your children from germs by following these diapering steps.

1. Clean Child
Keep a hand on the child for safety at all times.

• Place the child on diapering surface and unfasten diaper.
• Clean the child’s diaper area with fresh baby wipes. Remember to always wipe from front to back!
• Keep dirty diaper/clothing away from any surfaces that cannot be easily cleaned.

2. Remove Dirty Diaper

(i) If child is using cloth diapers:

• Place used disposable baby wipes in a plastic-lined, lidded trash can or place cloth wipes in a cloth diaper pail.
• If child has pooped, fold diaper closed and set aside for now, out of child’s reach.
• If child has not pooped, place the dirty diaper in a cloth diaper pail.

(ii) If child is using disposable diapers:

• Set the used baby wipes in the dirty diaper.
• Place the dirty diaper and used baby wipes in a plastic-lined, lidded trash can.

3. Replace Diaper

• Slide a fresh diaper under the child.
• Apply diaper cream, if needed.
• Fasten the diaper and dress the child.

4. Wash Child’s Hands

• Wash child’s hands with soap and water and place him or her in a safe, supervised area.

5. Clean Diapering Surface (Especially if there were any spills or leaks of diaper contents)

• If diapering surface is waterproof, wipe up any visible soil with damp paper towels or a baby wipe. Then scrub with a disinfectant spray or wipe and allow surface to air dry.
• If diapering surface has a fabric cover, remove the soiled cover and replace it with a fresh one.

6. Flush Poop (if using cloth diapers)

• If the child had pooped into the diaper, discard poop in toilet. Take care not to touch any other surfaces.
• Place the dirty diaper in the trash can or cloth diaper pail.

7. Wash Your Hands

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Diaper-Changing Steps for Childcare Settings

1. Prepare

Cover the diaper changing surface with disposable liner.

• If you will use diaper cream, dispense it onto a tissue now.
• Bring your supplies (e.g., clean diaper, wipes, diaper cream, gloves, plastic or waterproof bag for soiled clothing, extra clothes) to the diapering area.

2. Clean Child

• Place the child on diapering surface and unfasten diaper.
• Clean the child’s diaper area with disposable wipes. Always wipe front to back!
• Keep soiled diaper/clothing away from any surfaces that cannot be easily cleaned. Securely bag soiled clothing.

3. Remove Trash

• Place used wipes in the soiled diaper.
• Discard the soiled diaper and wipes in the trash can.
• Remove and discard gloves, if used.

4. Replace Diaper

• Slide a fresh diaper under the child.
• Apply diaper cream, if needed, with a tissue or a freshly gloved finger.
• Fasten the diaper and dress the child.

5. Wash Child's Hands

• Wash child’s hands with soap and water and place him or her in a safe, supervised area.

6. Clean Up

• Remove liner from the changing surface and discard in the trash can.
• Wipe up any visible soil with damp paper towels or a baby wipe.
• Wet the entire surface with disinfectant; make sure you read and follow the directions on the disinfecting spray, fluid or wipe. Choose disinfectant appropriate for the surface material.

7. Wash Your Hands

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Safe and Healthy Diapering for Emergency Settings and Shelters

1. Prepare

• If possible, cover the diaper changing surface with disposable liner.
• Bring your supplies (e.g., clean diaper, wipes, diaper cream, plastic or waterproof bag for soiled clothing, extra clothes) to the diaper changing surface.

2. Clean Child

• Place the child on diapering surface and unfasten diaper.
• Clean the child’s diaper area with disposable wipes or a clean, damp cloth. Always wipe front to back!
• Keep soiled diaper/clothing away from any surfaces that cannot be easily cleaned. Securely bag soiled clothing.

3. Remove Trash

• Place used wipes in the soiled diaper. 
• Discard the soiled diaper and wipes in the trash can.

4. Replace Diaper

• Slide a fresh diaper under the child.
• Apply diaper cream, if needed.
• Fasten the diaper and dress the child.

5. Wash Child's Hands

• Use soap and water to wash the child’s hands thoroughly.
• If handwashing facilities are not available at the diapering station, clean child’s hands with hand
• sanitizer and wash child’s hands with soap and water as soon as possible.
• Place the child in a safe area (e.g., in a baby carrier on the floor beside you or with another guardian).

6. Clean Up

• Remove liner from the changing surface and discard in the trash can.
• Wipe up any visible soil with damp paper towels or a baby wipe.
• Wet the entire surface with disinfectant; make sure you read and follow the directions on the disinfecting spray, fluid or wipe.

7. Wash Your Hands

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• If handwashing facilities are not available at the diapering station, clean your hands with hand sanitizer and wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible.

Planning Checklist for Diapering Stations in Shelters

Building and Placing a Diapering Station

• Is diapering station as far from water stations, food prep and dining areas as possible?
• Is the diaper changing surface made of non-porous material?
• Is there a rail or similar barrier that surrounds the diaper changing surface to help protect children from falls?
• Is one station available for every 8 diapered children?
• Is the diapering station within arm’s reach of sink? Sink should not be used for food preparation, dishwashing, or dispensing water to drink.

Stocking the Station

• Is sink stocked with liquid soap? If diapering station cannot be placed within reach of an existing sink and a temporary handwashing station cannot be set up, provide hand sanitizer containing 60 – 95% alcohol. Place sanitizer within reach of caregiver, but out of reach of children (ideally in a fixed wall dispenser).
• Are paper towels or air dryers available for drying hands?
• Is a lidded, plastic-lined trash receptacle (preferably with a foot-operated opening mechanism) available in the diapering area?
• Are clean paper towels, butcher paper, or other disposable materials available for lining the changing table?
• If shelter will provide diapers and wipes, are these placed within reach of caregivers but away from diapering surface?
• Is appropriate disinfectant solution in reach of caregivers, but out of children’s reach?
• EPA-registered disinfectant appropriate for the diapering surface or freshly prepared bleach solution.

Education

• Are signs posted to instruct caregivers to wash their hands and child’s hands with soap and water immediately after the diaper change?
• Are signs posted to use the diapering station sink for handwashing but not for drinking, cooking, or washing dishes or clothing?
• If diapering station is not near sink or temporary handwashing station, are signs posted at diapering station to direct caregivers to nearest sink?
• Are instructions posted about how to use the disinfectant solution? Consider labeling spray bottle with instructions in large type, or including these instructions on posters about diapering procedures.