How To Properly Change a Diaper from a Dad's Perspective

My wife and I were truly blessed to give birth to a very healthy girl. We prepared for months before we became pregnant, even on the pregnancy and the birth and what to do, what to expect, worst case scenarios and how to be prepared, etc.

My daughter was born into my arms and we warmed her up, loved her, cut the umbilical chord, cleaned her, clothed her and now what? My wife was an expert mother by instinct. Though this was our first, she already seemed to know what she was doing and she showed me what to do (thank goodness). The biggest hang-up I had was changing diapers. I even made a deal with our daughter that I would buy her a Porsche in sixteen years from now if I did not have to change her diaper. Most likely, it is a good thing she does not need physical objects to be happy. She pooped.

Mom said it was my turn. Now what? Here's what!

1. Expose the diaper. If there is any clothing in the way, move it out of the way (far away).
2. If you get nauseated easily, cover your nose and mouth.  A child eating formula excretes a more foul-smelling odor than does a child on a diet of breast milk (as long as the mother is eating a well-balanced diet).
3. Undo the straps of the diapers (which are located on the top sides).
4. Carefully slide the diaper off in a downward motion.  Use any clean part of the diaper to wipe any fecal matter on the child's behind.
5. Use the diaper straps and close the diaper.
6. Discard the diaper.
7. Use a moist paper towel or baby wipe to clean the child's rear thoroughly. Pay special attention to the cracks and crevices.
8. Grab a new diaper (without leaving your child on the table alone).
9. Bring the child's behind off of the changing table slightly by lifting his legs back.
10. Slide the back of the new diaper underneath the child.
11. Mildly powder the child's behind (use a talc-free powder such as Burt's Bees, etc.) in order to keep occurrences of diaper rash down.
12. Bring front of diaper up. By this point, the diaper should be even on the sides, front and back. If not, adjust until the diaper is even.
13. Take the straps on the diaper (top sides), and snugly tape. There should not be any diaper floating open as new "poop" or urine can escape.
14. Put pants back on.
15. Kiss and play with your child so the child can recognize that this is a fun experience and can be a bonding experience as opposed to a frustrating experience where he will wish to cry or scream.