Listen up, mamas; diaper changing hacks ahead! Let’s face it, changing a baby’s diaper is one of the least favorite jobs for any mom, or dad for that matter. Knowing your little one will probably go through thousands of diapers certainly doesn’t settle the stomach.
While our hacks won’t make changing a diaper any more fun (nothing can make it fun, although sometimes kids seem to enjoy it with sheer delight as their parents wince and make faces during diaper changes), it should make it easier — and that’s a win in our book. Check out the best 20 diaper hacks you need in your mom-arsenal like, today.
Need more life hacks? Download the KCL app, and we’ll load you up.
1. Score free diapers with baby registries, a baby shower, and diaper rewards programs.
The price of diapers makes changing diapers even more unpleasant. That’s why we say any chance you get to round up some free diapers, do it. At least you can save a few bucks and steal away on a vacay once diaper duty is officially complete.
Here are a few ideas on how you can get diapers free. List diapers in your baby registries and gifts for your baby shower. If you’re lucky, you may receive enough diapers for your first year. Other ways to score diapers include diaper samples, diaper rewards programs, and the National Diaper Bank.
2. Help treat diaper rash and eczema with coconut oil.
After a bath or diaper changes, air out your baby’s bum for a few moments, then apply coconut oil around the diaper area.
Coconut oil will help moisturize the skin while acting as an antibacterial, potentially helping reduce redness and irritation from diaper rash and eczema.
3. Check if a diaper is wet or dirty (without opening) by checking the diaper’s color line.
Most diapers, including Huggies Little Snugglers and Pampers Swaddlers, have a yellow line running from the front to the back of the diapers that turns blue when your baby is wet. Will it turn colors if your baby pooped? If the stool is wet and plentiful, it should turn the indicator line blue. However, because it most likely won’t detect every time your baby soils their diaper, we stand by the tried-and-true sniff and quick peek test.
4. Install a red light bulb in your nursery lamp for changing diapers at night.
Red light is less harsh on the eyes. Replacing the bulb in a nursery lamp and turning it on during those midnight diaper changes may help you and your baby fall asleep faster afterward.
5. Avoid blowout disaster by pulling onesies down instead of over their head.
Believe it or not, that is the purpose of the envelope folds on a onesie — to allow you to pull the onesie down off your baby instead of pulling it over their head!
6. Use Ibotta rebates to save on diapers — especially at Costco.
You may not be able to use manufacturer coupons at Costco, but you can still submit rebates with Ibotta and Checkout 51!
You can pretty much use Ibotta and Checkout 51 anywhere where diapers are sold. Just make sure you buy the specified product and submit a photo of your receipt for cash back, usually within 24 hours.
7. Prevent your toddler from removing their diaper by zipping their pj’s in the back.
Let’s talk about clever diaper changing hacks, shall we? This one is at the top of our list. When your little one reaches that point where they’d rather be naked than wear their clothes or diaper, prevent them from taking off both by zipping up their 1-piece pj’s in the back.
8. Help treat diaper rash with a Mylanta and baking soda paste.
One of the best things you can do to prevent and treat diaper rash outside of changing your baby’s diaper often is to #letthebuttbreathe. After removing your baby’s diaper and wiping them up, allow the bottom to dry completely before applying any creams or lotions or putting on a new diaper.
If your baby has a diaper rash, mix two tablespoons of baking soda with enough water or an antacid like Mylanta to make a paste. Apply to your baby’s bottom with a soft cloth.
9. Make your own baby wipes.
You’ll need a roll of paper towels, 2 1/4 cups of water, two tablespoons of baby shampoo, and one tablespoon of baby oil.
First, cut the paper towel roll in half and place it into a container with a lid.
Mix all the ingredients in a separate bowl and pour the mixture over the top of the paper towels. All paper towels have a cardboard tube in the middle, so remove the tube and pull up baby wipes!
For all you resourceful DIYers, check out these items you didn’t know you could reuse.
10. Remove meconium with coconut oil.
Coconut oil is a miracle worker in removing meconium — that tar-like substance that comes out during the first few bowel movements.
Applying coconut oil to your baby’s skin to remove that nasty residue is one of those simple yet amazing diaper changing hacks we love to share.
11. Use a makeup brush to ‘paint’ diaper cream on your baby instead of getting it on your hands.
If you have an old, clean makeup brush, you can use it to apply diaper cream to your baby’s behind instead of using your hands. Ensure the brush doesn’t shed fibers, as they could irritate your baby’s skin. An alternative is to request a 4-pack of baby cream spatulas on your baby registry. That way, you could take one with you in your diaper bag, leave one in the nursery, and put the other two in diaper stations around your house — see next tip.
12. Use a basket to make diaper supplies portable.
Putting a basket or two around the house can make changing diapers on the spot quick. Snag a basket similar to this from the dollar store; stock the basket with baby wipes, a few diapers, diaper cream, a butt paste spatula, and a change of clothes — just in case of a blowout.
13. Avoid getting peed on by wiping a wet wipe across their belly before opening the diaper.
As to whether or not this’ll work for your baby, we don’t know. However, it might inspire your baby to pee in the diaper before you open it; plus, you can clean out any belly button gunk while you’re at it, so it’s a win-win, hopefully. When in doubt, duck!
14. Stack coupons with sales to save on diapers.
There’s no reason ever to pay full price on diapers — especially if you have the free Krazy Coupon Lady app.
KCL will tell you where and when to get the best diaper deals. We’ll even tell you where to print free coupons for brands like Huggies and Pampers.
Diaper deals come around often, and when they do, stock up to last you until the next sale!
What’s more exciting than your new bundle of joy? Saving money on everything baby, starting with these baby freebies for new & expecting moms.
15. Use diaper-time-only toys to keep your little one occupied.
Give your babies (or toddlers still in diapers) a toy that they only get when they get their diapers changed. This’ll keep them entertained while you can get down to business.
16. Roll the onesie over their arms while changing diapers.
Out of all of our diaper-changing hacks, this one is a winner! Rolling a onesie over your baby’s arms is like a baby straightjacket — but better. No arms getting in the way of any cleanup efforts makes changing diapers a bit less challenging.
17. Place a new diaper under the old diaper when changing.
Open a new diaper and place it under the current diaper. Clean up and remove the dirty diaper. Place baby directly into the clean diaper. Voila! Don’t forget to let your baby’s bottom air out before closing the new diaper.
18. Turn an empty wipes holder into a travel diaper-changing station.
Attach a small wipes package to the top of the holder with rubber bands, and store extra diapers with a change of clothes in the bottom.
19. Pack travel-size antibacterial wipes in your diaper bag for easy sanitizing in public restrooms.
A travel pack of antibacterial wipes can make changing diapers in a public restroom doable. Using disinfectant wipes to wipe down a changing station is one thing; using them on your baby’s bottom is a huge no-no. Disinfectant wipes are not okay to use on your baby because they contain chemicals that can harm their delicate skin.
20. Save 20% on diapers and baby food with Amazon Household.
Amazon Prime members get 20% off diapers and baby food when they order through Amazon Subscribe & Save. No coupons needed!
Subscribe to at least five baby products through Amazon Household and Subscribe & Save, and you’ll automatically receive the 20% discount.
TIP: Prime members with an Amazon Rewards Visa Signature card can earn an additional 5% back when they pay with their card.
Tell us what you think