Diapering and Potty Training

Tips for Wrestle-Free Diaper Changing Success

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 08/23/2010

So what did I do to complete a successful change? Here are my tips:

• Get a partner. I know for many at-home parents this isn’t so easy to do but having another person to spot, grab flying limbs, pass the diaper cream and playfully sing songs was always my number one preference.

• Prepare yourself with toys and books. Keep them at your side but out of the baby’s sight. And as soon as the rolling, kicking and wrestling begins - pass over a toy or book. Be warned, these may be used for defense - prepare to duck.

• Be fast. You will perfect this art over time. But the quicker you can simulate a stock car pit crew, the better off you will be.

• Keep all diaper changing accessories out of baby’s reach. Because that endless box of wipes or smooshy tube of diaper cream can be very fun, very quickly (too quickly). And very messy.

Summertime Tips for Diaper Rash

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 08/15/2010 - 20:39

• Summertime on the beach did provide some relief with one important issue: diaper rash. In my experience, one advantage to all of that ocean water was that it helped heal my boys’ sore behinds. So, when possible, we would let them enjoy some diaper free time splashing in the shallow surf.

• Another advantage of the summer months for my babies was the sun. I had read that sunlight could help with diaper rash too. So, for short periods of time, I would let my boys crawl around diaper-free on a picnic blanket in our yard as often as possible. Maybe it was the sun, or the fresh air, or not having their bodies closed into their diapers but it did seem to make a difference.

• Finally, once the sun set and my boys were bathed and as sand free as possible, I would slather on the diaper cream before buttoning them up in their diaper and pajamas.

What's in Erica's Diaper Bag?

February 17, 2011 by Hale Mom

If anyone took a lesson from my wacky diaper bag habits, it would be to always keep an extra bag in the car. That’s the best thing a new mom could do. When a new baby has arrived, sometimes the brain doesn’t always work as it used to, and simple things like remembering to have packed a diaper bag before going on errands doesn’t always happen.

5 Tips to Keep in Mind During Nighttime Potty Training

March 29th, 2011 by Daddy Digest

• Reward the little things – Any progress is an accomplishment.

• Patience – If you don’t have the patience for them, they won’t have patience for you.

• An end in sight – Your child will not walk and get their diploma in diapers.

• Don’t make a scene – It’s bad enough…don’t make it worse complaining or belittling.

• Never ever compare - Every child is different. It is not a competition.

To Pull-Up or Not to Pull-Up

September 29, 2010 by Traci Shannon Pull-ups

Pros:

• Clean and disposable – especially ideal for traveling and extended errand runs. No rinse outs, no special washes.

• Keep bottoms drier – less diaper rash (though you always have Dr. Smith’s when you need it!). This is also wonderful at night, when you may not want them to feel wet.. thus waking.

• Keeps clothes dry during accidents

• Less bulky than most training pants with clothing protectant, e.g rubber pants Pull Ups

Cons:

• Disposable – continues to over-load the land-fills

• Keeps bottoms drier – Yes, I know I listed this as a pro but it also a con (one of the many great ironies of parenthood). It is my experience that children “train” better when they feel their mess. I have tried those pull-ups with the “Cool” sensation. It freaked out my son so much that he actually backtracked and my daughter could’ve cared less, so for my family they were not helpful.

Cloth Trainers Pros

• So green and eco-friendly -- Doesn’t fill the already over-filled landfills (did I say fill enough?)

• Allows the child to feel the earliest sensation – I know that this is a constantly analyzed point, but when I switched my daughter to cloth, her training accelerated tremendously. She was just too comfortable in the pull-ups.

• Easily pulled-up – Another parent irony. In my experience, pull-ups are not easily pulled up by younger children. My daughter was much more independent when we moved to cloth.

Cloth Trainers Cons:

• The mess – Oh, the mess! There were days when I had to rinse so many pants that it looked like my bathroom decorating theme was drying underwear. This is especially true when running around town.

• The bulk – There may be better options out there but the pants I had for my daughter were ugly and didn’t fit under some clothing.

• Nighttime – Because they can feel wet, they can wake up in the middle of the night.