Remember back to your antenatal classes when the tutor showed you how to put a nappy on a doll. She may have even poured in a little water so you could feel how it gets heavy when wet. It all seemed so simple, didn’t it?

Well, we’re sorry to be the ones to break it to you, but changing your newborn’s nappies isn’t going to be quite so simple. Swap that doll for a wriggly baby, fill that nappy with sticky, runny poo instead of water – oh, and do it around eight to ten times a day!

The good news is that you’ll be changing so many nappies, what initially seems daunting will quickly turn into second nature. And you can help yourself in the early days by choosing the right nappy for the job, and following our top baby-changing tips.

What type of nappy?

There are two main types - reusable nappies, which are often called 'real' nappies and are made of cloth and washable; and disposables, which you throw away after your baby has used it. Here's a quick outline of the pros and cons of each.

Size matters

Make sure you use the right size – too small and it could be uncomfortable for your baby, too large and you’re going to get leaks. Most brands of nappies come in newborn sizes. Some even have a notch cut out of the waistband, so it doesn’t rub on the stump (after the umbilical cord has been cut). Alternatively, you can fold over the waistband.

When to change

You need to change her whenever she poos or when her nappy is very wet, to keep her comfortable, and to avoid nappy rash developing.

Unfortunately, babies seem to have a knack of knowing exactly when you’ve put a clean nappy on them and choose that moment to fill it again. So, at first, you might find you’re getting through as many as eight to ten nappies a day.

Nappy-changing tips

• Before you attempt to change your baby’s nappy, make sure she’s on a warm, comfortable, safe and washable surface – a changing mat on the floor is ideal. This is especially important in a few months' time when she may be able to wriggle or roll off.
• Gather everything you need round you first – fresh nappy, cotton wool and water, or fragrance-free wipes suitable for sensitive skin, nappy cream if she needs it and clean clothing, if there’s been any leakage! It’s a good idea to invest in a changing bag for when you’re out and about, and some simple storage at home.
• Use the front of the old nappy to get rid of the worst of any poo that’s in there. Fold it into the nappy, secure the tabs and put it aside to bin when you’re done. If you’re using a reusable nappy, place the dirty nappy into a lidded bucket for washing later.
• Hold your baby’s legs in the air and clean the rest off with warm water and cotton wool, or wipes if you find them more convenient. Don’t forget to wipe a little girl from front to back to avoid spreading infection from the bottom. With a boy, be sure to clean around his testicles, but don’t attempt to pull down his foreskin – it’s still attached to the head of his willy at this stage.
• Put a little nappy cream on if your baby is sore or suffering from nappy rash. Otherwise keeping her bottom clean and dry should be enough. Allowing her to spend a few minutes with her bottom exposed to fresh air is also a good way to help prevent and clear up nappy rash. If you’ve got a boy, watch out for wee-wee showers! They can be avoided by putting a muslin or wipe over his willy.
• Slide the new nappy under her bottom, making sure you’ve got it the right way round first. Do up the sticky tabs (or poppers or Velcro on reusables) so the fit’s firm, but not uncomfortable. If you’ve got a little boy, makes sure his willy is tucked down, or you may find there are spills.
• Wash your hands well before and after every nappy change to prevent the spread of germs.

What’s in a nappy?

Before you became a mum, it’s unlikely you’ll ever have spent so much time looking at – and talking about – poo. But the contents of your newborn’s nappy will now be fascinating (albeit sometimes a little disgusting) as it charts different stages of her development.

Your baby’s first poos will be sticky and dark – it sounds alarming but it’s just meconium, the waste substance that’s built up in her intestines and bowels while in the womb. It soon changes, becoming a mustardy colour, and usually fairly runny in consistency and, in breastfed babies, often seedy in texture. Bottlefed babies’ poos tend to be firmer, paler and smellier.

A breastfed newborn may do several poos a day, or she may go a day or two without one – it’s not necessarily anything to worry about if she hasn’t passed a motion for a while, as long as she’s still wetting her nappy. Bottlefed babies, on the other hand, can be prone to constipation - always make sure you use the correct amount of formula as indicated on the product.

All babies are capable of producing surprisingly copious or explosive poos sometimes, too. It’s not usually anything to worry about. But do chat to your health visitor if your baby has diarrhoea, if her poos are green or blood-streaked, or if she seems to have constipation.

It’s important to keep an eye on how often she’s weeing. A healthy baby should produce between five and eight soggy nappies a day, so do mention it to your health visitor if she’s not. Modern nappies are pretty absorbent – you may have to feel with your finger or go by the fact that they’re somewhat heavier!

Once your baby starts weaning at around six months, her poos will change again, becoming less frequent, browner, firmer – and even smellier!