What goes in must come out
While we might overlook this guideline, there is a distinct relationship between what goes into your baby's mouth and what comes out in the diaper. A baby that is taking in adequate nutrition will need a minimum of six diapers in twenty-four hours, and might well need twelve to fourteen. The first difficulty for new parents is often figuring out if the diaper is, indeed, wet. While this might seem obvious to those used to dealing with cloth diapers, the new "high-tech" disposables can be tricky. Many a parent has stuck his or her finger into the diaper to check for wetness. While this is one possible technique, if little Emily has had a bowel movement, a less invasive technique might be preferable.
Since disposables are designed to draw wetness away from your baby's bottom, urine is drawn towards the outside lining instead of remaining near the center. Pick up a fresh diaper from the pack. It should have a rough, "crackly" sound when rubbed between your fingers. Now take a used (wet only) one. Add a bit of water if it is not distinctly wet. When you rub the outside, it will have a smoother, more gelatinous feel, and a softer sound.
