Diaper Changing Procedures for Day Cares

Day care workers are often charged with changing diapers. In order to help them do so while protecting each child's health and safety, day care centers should develop standard diaper changing procedures that are employed with each diaper change. These procedures encompass not only changing diapers, but also sanitizing the area after each diaper change.

The Diapering Surface

Use a day care diaper changing surface that is non-absorbent and free of cracks, crevices, rips and tears. This will prevent children from becoming injured while on the changing surface and keep germs from having crevices in which to hide from disinfection. A non-absorbent changing surface will be easier to wipe clean and disinfect as well.

Since changing surfaces are typically above ground level, it's important to make sure the child cannot fall by keeping one hand on the child at all times. Never walk away from a child on a changing table. Even a baby who has never rolled over before may suddenly surprise you by rolling to the floor.

Equip the Area

A day care center can keep children safe and prepare for effective, quick diaper changes by equipping the area with everything a childcare worker will need to change diapers, all within easy grasp. For example, diapers, diaper wipes, latex gloves and soiled diaper receptacles should be within reaching distance, enabling daycare workers to grab what they need without walking away from the child. Always check to make sure your supplies are accessible before you begin changing a diaper.

Changing a Diaper

It's important to avoid spreading germs during a diaper change. Wear latex gloves while you remove the soiled diaper, disposing of it in the diaper receptacle and placing any soiled clothing in a sealed plastic bag to give to the parents later. You can then wipe the baby's bottom with a disposable baby wipe, throwing the wipe and the gloves in the diaper receptacle. Getting rid of the gloves allows you to put a fresh diaper on the baby without the risk of touching her with waste from the diaper. If the child's clothes are soiled, you'll need to change her into clean clothing.

Sanitation

Before returning the child to the day care area, wash his hands with soap and water. This is because small children and babies often touch the changing table and then place their hands in their mouths. Wash your hands as well to avoid spreading germs throughout the day care environment.

Once the child is back in a crib, occupied with an activity or supervised by another adult, clean and disinfect the changing pad and any other surfaces that were soiled during the diaper-changing process. You can use ordinary soap and water to clean the changing area and then follow up with a disinfecting solution. A solution prepared by mixing 1/4 cup of bleach with one gallon of water can effectively disinfect a diaper-changing area.

Once the diaper-changing area is cleaned and disinfected, you and other day care workers may use it to change other children. Never place a child on a changing surface that hasn't been cleaned and disinfected, even if you do not see visible signs of soiling. Wash your hands again after disinfecting the diapering area and before diapering or interacting with other children, preparing food or touching other surfaces.