How to change a cloth nappy

• Somewhere warm and clean to change your baby
• A changing mat or towel to lie your baby on
• A fresh nappy, any fasteners, liners or plastic pants you need and a change of clothes if necessary
• A bowl of boiled and cooled water and a supply of cotton wool or a clean cloth
• Baby wipes if you prefer to use them
• Nappy rash cream if needed
• Towel or spare terry square

How to change the nappy
Unless you're changing your baby on the floor you'll need to keep one hand on her at all times once she's able to roll to make sure she doesn't roll over and off the changing mat: a hand placed gently on her chest while you reach for cotton wool or a nappy will keep her safe.

Make sure you have everything you need to hand before you start and if you are using a pre-form cloth nappy with a wrap put the clean nappy into a fresh wrap. If you're using a terry nappy then fold the new nappy ready with the liner positioned on top (optional) and put it out of reach of your baby.

Wash and dry your hands then lie your baby tummy side up on the changing surface. Undress the bottom half of your baby, lifting her clothes up and out of the way of the nappy area. If clothes are soiled you'll need to remove them entirely and it might be wise to do the same if you suspect a really big messy pooh is lurking in the nappy - it really can get everywhere.

Undo the nappy and if there's a pooh, clean away what you can with the front of the nappy from her bottom. Hold your baby's ankles together with one hand and lift up her bottom to remove her nappy, folding over the nappy as you do so and wiping away as much of the mess with the nappy as you can, then put it out of reach of your baby.

Using wipes and/or wetted cotton wool or cloth, clean your baby's bottom gently and carefully, paying particular attention to the folds of the skin. Change the cotton wool and wipes often as you clean. Lift the ankles together with one hand again to clean right under the bottom. If your baby is a little girl be sure to wipe from front to back so as not to spread infection.

Once your baby's bottom is pristine it's time to pat her bottom gently dry with a towel and then dab on the bottom cream if you're using any. Lift her bottom up by the ankles again and place the back of the new nappy under her making sure it's high enough to prevent leaks. For a newborn you'll want the front of the nappy to be higher than the back and make sure that the front of the nappy is folded clear of the umbilical cord stump.

For boy babies makes sure the penis is tucked down as you pull up the front of the nappy and fold over the flaps. Make sure that the nappy doesn't gather between her legs because this will be uncomfortable for her. Fasten the velcro tabs securely, or if you're using nappy pins with a cloth nappy slide fingers of one hand in-between your baby's skin and the nappy where you insert the pin so as not to prick her. Unless you're using all in ones you'll have to add a pair of plastic pants.

Now it's time to re-dress her, put her somewhere safe and then tidy away that dirty nappy. Tip off any pooh into the toilet before you put the nappy into the nappy bucket, this is easier if you're using disposable liners and will save some damage on the nappy. Make sure you fasten the nappy bucket lid securely once the dirty nappy is inside.

Tips and tricks

• Care with talc/baby powder - Using talc used to be very popular with parents, particularly for the lovely dry feeling it gave a baby's bottom, but it's now fallen out of favour with the medical community because inhaling the powder can cause respiratory and other problems for babies. If you do decide to use powder then keep the container well out of reach of your baby and use a small amount shaken out onto your hand rather than shaking the container over the baby.
• Keeping baby entertained - Your baby might love having her nappy taken off or she might hate it, either way you can distract her and keep her happy by making lots of eye contact and talking to her and maybe playing games like peek-a-boo
• Boys and wees - There's nothing like fresh air around the nether regions to prompt a baby boy to pee, so watch out when you're changing him and maybe cover his penis with a clean cloth or wipe as you remove the nappy
• Baby massage- During the nappy change is a good time for a gentle baby massage for your clean baby before putting on a fresh nappy.