Newborn Hints and tips

4. What colour is babies poo? What's normal and what's not?
7. Recommendations for new parents
01

How often should I change a Nappy?

Babies, particularly newborns, need their nappies changed quite frequently. Take a quick look at our table below: here you’ll see an estimate of how many nappies your little one will go through within the age ranges stated*. We know – we've thought of everything!

Your baby’s nappy should be changed immediately after doing a poo. Want to know why? If it isn’t dealt with quickly, your child could develop a nappy rash that will make their sensitive skin irritated. Plus, everyone (including your baby) would prefer to smell as fresh as a daisy, so the quicker a dirty nappy is changed, the better for all!

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Ages Nappy Changes by Day
0-3 months 10-12
3-6 months 8-9
6-9 months 8
12-18 months 6-8
18-24 months 5-6
24 months plus* 2-4
*NOTE: After 24 months the number of nappy changes assumes potty training is in progress. This can vary significantly by child and every situation is different.
02

What do I Need to change a Nappy?

The thought of changing a nappy for the first time can feel daunting. After a few rounds though, you’ll feel like a pro, and will probably be able to do it with both eyes shut! You’ll soon fall into a routine that works best for you and baby…

One of the most important factors in preparing to change nappies is to choose a safe place. Somewhere your baby can’t roll and hurt themselves during the process. Some of the safest places to change your little one are on a changing table*, on a mat on the floor or a mat on the bed.

*Please remember to never leave your baby alone if they are on a changing table or up high.

Having everything you need to hand can make changing your baby much easier.

We'd recommend:

  • A changing mat or towel
  • unscented wipes
  • disposable nappy bag
  • a few fresh nappies
  • clean clothes in case of any leaks
  • barrier cream if required.

Most parents like to keep these items in a basket near the chosen changing area. A top tip is to stock two baskets, one upstairs and one downstairs to save you unnecessary trips.

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03

How do I Need to change a Nappy?

Start by washing your hands thoroughly or use hand sanitiser if you can’t get to a sink!

Gently unfasten the nappy tabs at the front and peek inside. In the early days you may want to keep a tally of wet and dirty nappies to ensure your baby is getting enough fluid through their system. You can do this easily by keeping a tally chart by the changing table.

If your baby has done a wee, you can simply remove the nappy. However, if you’re dealing with poo you can use the nappy to clean away most of the mess before putting it safely into a disposable nappy bag or bin.

NOTE: Never leave this within baby’s reach; their little hands get everywhere!

For both wet and dirty changes, always use wipes to clean your baby’s skin thoroughly. Keep in mind to use gentle strokes, as the folds of the skin can become sore if not cleaned and dried properly.

Don’t forget that having a boy or girl will mean you wipe differently… If changing a girl, ensure you wipe from front to back to avoid germs getting into the vagina. With a boy, thoroughly clean around the penis and testicle area but do not pull back the foreskin. It will be fused to the tip of the penis and cannot be pulled back

Once all clean and dry, if your baby seems warm and happy enough, let them lie on the mat or towel without a nappy on for a short while, allowing them to dry properly. This can help prevent nappy rash.

Remember to never leave them alone during the changing process or whilst they are kicking about and drying off.

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Top Tip

Baby boys have a habit of weeing when you take off their nappy and your face or their own face may be in the firing line! Before you take it off, loosen it a bit and wipe your baby’s lower tummy with a nice, cold baby wipe and wait a few moments. Let the cold air hit him or her, and then swiftly hold the nappy back down for a few seconds if ‘number 1’ begins.

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What should I do Next?

Once you’re ready, slide a fresh open nappy under their bottom and fold it across their tummy, so it sits just over tummy button at the front. If your baby is still new-born, fold the top of the nappy over so that it isn’t covering the umbilical cord stump.

The nappy sticky tabs (found on either side) should come comfortably around the tummy and sit within the white space on the frontal tape. If they completely cover the Mama Bamboo logo, it is likely that the nappy is too big. Equally if they barely stick on the white tape, it is likely that the nappy is too small.

Once baby is fresh and redressed, make sure they are placed in a safe place whilst you do a quick tidy up.

If you are hot composting your Mama Bamboo nappies at home, you can tear off the side tapes and frontal panel and place the compostable nappy into a compostable nappy bag or directly into your nappy bin, to be popped in your hot bin later. The side tapes and frontal tape need to go in with the normal household waste. Don’t forget, our wipes can also be composted. If you're using the council waste service, simply pop the nappy and wipes into the nappy bag and put into your nappy bin.

Finish by washing your hands thoroughly.

04

What colour is babies poo?

What's Normal and what's not?

In the first few days after a baby is born, they pass meconium which is a greenish-black colour with a sticky, tar like consistency. It's made up of all the things baby has ingested whilst in the womb, this includes mucus and amniotic fluid. Meconium is a good sign that your baby’s bowels are in good working order, so don’t be startled when you see it!

If you decide to breastfeed, your first milk (colostrum) helps to move the meconium out of the baby’s system. After 3 days when your milk comes in, your little one's poo will start to change colour to a bright, mustard yellow. The stools are usually soft and runny. FYI: Some babies may do up to 4 poos in the first week. #GoodLuck

If you choose to formula feed, the poo will be different altogether. They’ll be firmer with a paste like consistency and are normally a tan or light brown colour. The smell will be stronger too, more like an adult.

Babies poo
05

What is constipation and how do I manage it?

Unfortunately, constipation in young babies is not unusual. Babies can go extended periods of time without a bowel movement – up to 5 days at a time. These are a few of the signs that indicate constipation in a baby:

  • Infrequent stools that are not soft in consistency
  • Clay-like stool consistency
  • Hard pellets of stool
  • Long periods of straining or crying while trying to have a bowel movement
  • Streaks of red blood in the stool

You can help by

  • Ensuring they are regularly fed and monitoring their wet nappies
  • Massaging their tummy can really help to improve the flow of a stool – massage gently in a clockwise motion from tummy button to pelvic bone.
  • Bicycling their little legs can also help. Lay them on their back and whilst making nice noises, singing or chatting, you can hold their ankles and move them in a pedalling motion.
  • A warm bath. The warm water can help to relax their abdominal muscles and may be soothing for a baby in discomfort. NOTE: Babies may well poo in the bath! If this happens, remove the baby from the water immediately and ensure they are thoroughly clean.
  • If breastfeeding you may find cutting out your own dairy or lactose can help, however this is an exercise in trial and error and may not have any effect.
  • For formula-fed babies, you may want to try a different kind of formula.
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06

What is Nappy rash and how do I manage it?

Babies can develop nappy rash at any stage in the first couple of years, especially because their skin is thin and super sensitive. Whilst wearing nappies, their skin will come into contact with wee and poo and other associated bacteria, these being the main cause of nappy rash.

Some nappies are made using plastics and restrict air flow around the bottom area. This combined with the heat from wearing plastics can create a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, increasing the chances of nappy rash. Other causes can be diarrhoea, antibiotics, friction from the nappy, not changing the nappy often enough, allergies to certain products including, detergents or chemicals found in the nappies or wipes being used.

What does it looks like?

Nappy rash is normally found around the area where a nappy is worn. The skin will become red, often hot to touch, inflamed and sometimes spotty. If the rash persists, blisters can develop making it very sore for your little one.

Controlling #NappyRash: Mama Bamboo Style

Bamboo nappies are made from the softest, breathable bamboo, chlorine-free wood pulp & compostable liners. There will be no heat-trapping bacteria-encouraging plastic layer wrapped around your baby's bottom either!

Our nappies are free from elemental chlorine, alcohol, latex, and PVC. The 100% bamboo layers which lay against your baby's skin are naturally antibacterial, temperature regulating and breathable – making for complete cosiness 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Not to mention, our wipes are made using 99.4% purified water – they’re also alcohol and fragrance free. These factors help to control or eradicate nappy rash at the source.

 

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