Tips for changing your baby's nappy

Being involved in caring for your baby can help you to bond, feel more confident as a parent, and can lead to better long-term outcomes for your baby’s development.

You and your family can be involved in caring for your baby on the neonatal unit and you should be supported by healthcare professionals to do this. This is called family-centred care.

Tips for nappy changing on a neonatal unit

Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need to hand, so you won’t need to break contact.

• Approach your baby quietly, speaking softly.
• Keep lighting, noise and activity levels low.
• Take time and respond to your baby’s signals.
• If they signal distress cues, then taking small pauses can help keep them calm.
• Avoid lifting your baby by the legs. Instead, hold their feet sole to sole and gently flex their legs towards their body.
• Stay close to your baby for up to 20 minutes after a nappy change to give continued support.

Pampers Preemie Protection nappies

Pampers have developed their smallest nappy, Pampers Preemie Protection, for babies weighing less than 1.1lb, in close collaboration with neonatal experts.

These nappies have been specially designed to be extra gentle on premature babies’ delicate skin as it continues to develop, whilst also providing a customised fit that adapts around life-saving leads.

We have been partnering with Pampers to ensure neonatal units across the UK have free access to Preemie Protection nappies.