Diaper FAQs

Q: How do I change a diaper?  

The CDC recommends these procedures when changing a diaper to decrease the spread of germs and keep your baby healthy: 

1. Prepare a clean surface to rest your baby on, keeping one hand on them at all times 

1. Unfasten diaper and clean your baby front to back with fresh, water-based baby wipes  

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

1. Slide a fresh diaper under your baby, apply cream if needed, and fasten diaper 

1. Wash your baby’s hands with soap and water 

1. Clean and disinfect diapering surface  

1. Wash your own hands with soap and water  

Q: What causes diaper rash?  

Diaper rash describes red, irritated skin on a baby’s bottom and can include soreness and blisters. It’s most commonly caused by moisture from urine and stool remaining against a baby’s skin for too long between diaper changes. The moisture causes the skin to break down, which is more susceptible to being damaged by rubbing against the diaper.  

Other causes of diaper rash include: 

• Diapers are too small or fastened too tightly  
• Introduction of solid food 

• Diarrhea 
• Allergic reaction to diaper, diaper cream, or wipes  
• Medications a baby or breastfeeding mom is taking  

Q: How do I prevent diaper rash? 

Besides causing pain and fussiness in your baby, diaper rash can also leave them at risk of infection. To prevent diaper rash, take these precautions to keep your baby’s skin as clean and dry as possible:  

• Clean your baby’s bottom from front to back using wipes with no alcohol or fragrances  
• Make sure to clean between your baby’s skin folds 
• Let their skin air dry before putting on the next diaper 
• Apply a thick layer of skin barrier cream or a cream with zinc oxide 
• Make sure diapers are not fitted too tightly  

Q: How many newborn diapers do I need? 

Research cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics finds that most U.S. parents go through about 3,000 diapers during their baby’s first year. Like most things about newborns, their diaper needs will evolve pretty quickly. Here’s a general idea of how many diapers a baby needs at different stages of growth: 

• 2 to 4 months old: Up to 10 diapers a day (300/month) 
• 5 to 8 months old: Up to 9 diapers a day (270/month) 
• 9 to 12 months old: Up to 7 diapers a day (210/month) 

When stocking up on diapers before baby’s arrival, it’s wise to put more Size 1 diapers on your registry since your bundle of joy will quickly grow out of Newborn diapers much sooner than you think. Hello Bello’s Daytime Newborn Diapers are designed for babies 10 pounds and under, and in those first few months, babies tend to grow about 1 ounce per day.  

Q: How often should diapers be changed? 

In general, it’s best to change newborns every 1.5 hours. In those early days, their little stomachs will process any food they eat quickly, so it’s pretty easy to predict when they’ll need freshening up.  

As your baby ages, you’ll need to change them less frequently. Infants one month and older go to the bathroom less than 6-8 times a day, and after 12 months, their bathroom frequency will begin to match that of adults.  

Q: How do I choose the right diaper size? 

You can use your baby’s weight to gauge what size diaper they need. Consult Hello Bello’s diaper sizing chart to see which size fits your little one best.   

While weight will give you a good idea of which size to buy, not all bodies are the same. A good way to check if your baby’s diaper is fitting properly is to check their belly button. A diaper that fits properly should sit just below the navel. When the diaper is fastened, you should be able to slide two fingers between the waistband and your baby’s tummy. The leg elastic should have no gaps.  

Q: When to switch to training pants 

Training pants are a useful tool in potty training, providing a consistent “in between” solution that encourages your little one to use the toilet on their own while keeping cleaning easy in case of accidents. However, if introduced too early, kids might treat their training pants as diapers and lose interest in the toilet.  

Most kids are ready to begin potty training between 22 and 30 months old. A child should already be having some success on the potty and trying to stay dry before they are introduced to training pants. Once starting training pants, it’s also important not to confuse your child by switching back to diapers. Accidents happen, but young children can bounce back when they have confidence.  

Q: How to deal with diaper leaks at night 

If you’re finding your child soaked and uncomfortable in the morning, your first step is to switch to overnight diapers with extra absorbency. While finding a snug fit for your baby is key to preventing leaks in the daytime, going up a size during the night – even if they don’t meet the weight requirement yet – is the better option. The diaper should fit tight around your baby’s waist but have extra absorbency where it counts when they’re horizontal.  

Q: How long can your child wear a wet diaper? 

If your child has gone Number Two, it’s best for your baby and everyone within smelling distance to change them ASAP. But, it’s a little more complicated to determine if they’ve only urinated and you’re not sure if they’ve wet their diaper enough to need a full change. A good metric is how bothered your child seems to be. If they’re uncomfortable, they’ll let you know.   

If your baby is wet (even just a little) and it’s been longer than 3 hours, it’s best to change them to prevent diaper rash. Having a diaper subscription can make it easier to relax since every change doesn’t put you closer to needing to make a diaper run.  

Q: Can clean disposable diapers be reused? 

It is not generally a good idea to reuse a disposable diaper. After all, it’s in the name that they’re designed for one-time use. 

The chance of diaper rash increases significantly if a soiled disposable diaper is reused, which can put your little one at risk of infection. Even if only a small amount of urine is absorbed into the diaper and it doesn’t seem like it would be a big deal to reuse it, the ammonia that’s produced by urine breaking down can greatly irritate your baby’s skin.  

Q: How to change diapers in public 

We admit it’s not fun, but unless you want to be chained to your house 24/7 you will need to change your baby’s diaper in public sometimes. The best thing you can do is be prepared with diapers, wipes, cream, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, extra clothes, small plastic bags, and — perhaps most importantly — a diaper changing pad.  

 You should first try to find a public restroom. If there’s a wall-mounted diaper changing table, place a changing pad on top of it or line the table with paper towels in a pinch. If not, the floor in the handicapped stall will do. Use an extra blanket to cushion your knees.  

If you are at a park or outdoor venue, a bench can be a handy diaper changing surface. If you’re worried about people watching, cover your baby’s private parts with a wipe or burp cloth. Your car can also be a good spot for changing. Try not to use restaurant or picnic tables, the floor in a crowded area, or bathroom sinks to change a baby. They may offer a flat surface but keep in mind that other people will have to use the same public space afterward.  

Q: Is baby powder safe? 

Baby powder has come under scrutiny after revelations that a common ingredient, talc, may increase the risk of ovarian cancer when used on the genital area. There is also concern that talc is tainted by asbestos, which is linked to many cancers and respiratory issues.   

Hello Bello’s baby powder is made with cornstarch, bamboo powder, chaparral, and botanicals – and is absolutely talc-free! However, because inhaling any type of powder can irritate babies' lungs, doctors recommend applying cornstarch-based baby powder first to your own hand and then to your baby’s skin to minimize inhalation risk.