The average baby goes through 15 nappies a day - a daunting prospect for a novice with a newborn! With a new nappy at every feed, you'll be changing nappies in your sleep (if you have any) by the time your baby's a few months old.

You don't need a fancy changing table. You can change a nappy anywhere as long as your baby is safe. If you're not changing your baby on the floor, make sure you keep a hand on his tummy in case he rolls.

Don't be tempted to let go for 2 seconds while you reach for the hot tap. It's not worth the risk.

Changing rooms
You'll change your baby's nappy in all sorts of places, even if you started out with a specific changing station. In the night, you might want to keep the baby in his room in dim light.

During the day it may be more convenient to change your baby downstairs, especially if you're keeping an eye on other children. It can be useful to keep your kit in a box so it's easily portable.

Gather your kit together
All you really need is water and cotton wool or baby wipes and a supply of new nappies. If you're using wipes, keep an eye out for rashes. They can irritate your baby's sensitive skin. You may want to use barrier cream, especially at night. You'll need a nappy rash cream for emergencies.

Nappy sacks are useful, particularly when you're away from home. A towelling nappy on top of a changing mat keeps your baby's skin away from the cold plastic and is absorbent. If your baby pees mid-procedure, the towel helps prevent the pee from drenching your baby's back.

First undo the dirty nappy...
Watch out for boys peeing up in the air. Putting a tissue on his penis stops your baby hitting you in the eye. Raise your baby's bottom by holding his ankles in one hand and take off the nappy. Clean the baby with cotton wool and water or baby wipes, taking care to clean all the creases.

With girls it's important to wipe from front to back, to guard against urinary infections. With boys, don't pull back the foreskin. Pat dry with a towelling nappy or tissue. Lower your baby onto a clean nappy, apply cream if you want to, and fasten the nappy up.

Newborns may wail at every nappy change. Don't take it personally - they just feel a bit naked.

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