From Home to Child Care:
A Diapering Guide for a Seamless Transition
Transitioning your child into a child care program while they are still in diapers can be a big and challenging step for your family. Indiana's licensed and regulated child care providers follow specific guidelines to make sure that diapering practices are safe and supportive. By understanding how programs operate and asking the right questions, you can help create a smooth and positive experience for your child. This resource is designed to give you the knowledge and tools to advocate for your child’s health and development.
In Indiana, licensed or regulated child care programs must follow specific regulations for diapering and cloth diapering to make sure children stay safe and healthy. Programs must to designate a changing area, sanitize surfaces that touch soiled diapers, check for and change wet and soiled diapers often and, if they accept cloth diapers, place soiled cloth diapers in a wet bag, without rinsing or washing, for parents to take home daily.
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Factors to Consider
When looking into diapering practices in a child care setting, it's important to make sure that routines are individualized and supportive of both the child’s needs and development. Below are some questions to ask a child care provider when transitioning your child to care while they are still in diapers.
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Diapering Routine
- How often do you check and change diapers?
- Do you follow a specific schedule, or is it based on my child’s needs?
- Are there designated diaper-changing areas?
- How do you track and record the diapering routine?
Helpful Tip! Observe how caregivers interact with your child during diaper changes. Do they engage with your child through talking, explaining or playing? Learn about diapering policies in the program’s family handbook.
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Supplies
- Do I need to provide diapers, wipes and creams, or are they included?
- If I provide supplies, how will you tell me when they’re running low?
- How familiar are you with handling cloth diapers? (If applicable)
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Helpful Tip!
If using cloth diapers, bring one diaper for each hour of care, along with enough wipes and diaper cream. Disposable diapers should be brought to the program in their original, unopened packages. Some diaper creams may require a signed notice.
