Diaper changes don't have to be quick, dreaded or mundane. Caregiving moments like this are valuable moments of connection from your baby’s perspective – both to you and to their developing sense of body awareness. One helpful reframe is to consider how you’re not just doing something to them, but you’re doing something with them.
Here are a few tips:
Make eye contact and talk to your baby,narrating the diaper change so they can absorb new vocabulary about the parts of their own body.
Make diaper changing feel fun and silly.You can play peek-a-boo or sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Diaper changes don’t have to be serious!
Give your baby a chance to engage.Let them touch the wipes, the diaper, or their clothing. This will help them learn about their surroundings and feel more in control. As they get older, you can include them in more ways, like putting the soiled diaper in the bin or pulling their own pants up, to further support their physical independence.
With a little mindset shift, you can make the hours and hours you spend changing diapers a more supportive experience for you and your baby.