How to clean up after a nappy explosion

Nothing like a sudden nappy explosion to ruin a precious moment with your child. They are never enjoyable, whether they started with a foreboding rumbling or came on suddenly and violently.

Although the greenish-yellow streak up your kid’s back may be concerning, it is an ordinary—and, let’s face it, unpleasant—part of having a baby.

As you say farewell to that adorable clothing that is now matted in baby faeces we will help you to better understand nappy explosions, how to help prevent them, and how to handle the clean-up.

What causes nappy explosions?

Let’s start with the gritty specifics by defining a nappy explosion. An actual nappy explosion occurs when your baby’s faeces escape from the nappy before it has a chance to be absorbed. If your baby is between 1 and 8 weeks old, you are likely living the explosion life. Newborns stool very frequently, up to eight to 12 times per day, and their stools tend to be a watery liquid consistency, making accidents more likely to happen.

Whether your baby is breastfed or given formula, nappy explosions can still occur. However, babies who are fed formula are more susceptible to constipation. When babies skip a day or two of using the toilet, sometimes explosions occur where everything comes out at once.

Tips for avoiding nappy explosions

Make sure your baby is wearing the right size and position nappies to help control their bowel movements. Make sure your baby is wearing the appropriate size nappy for their weight. Make sure the diaper is securely fastened around your baby’s legs, back, and waist. If you can’t squeeze more than one finger around your baby’s waist, it’s a tight fit. For a better fit and to avoid leaks, make sure the ruffles on the leg cuffs are pulled out.

Cleaning up nappy accidents

You might be able to save the onesie you just bought, depending on how bad the nappy explosion was. Here are some cleaning suggestions so you are prepared if your baby does have an accident.

1. Wash your baby
   When your baby is covered in faeces, taking a bath seems like common sense. Take your newborn to the bathroom, remove their clothes, and give them a thorough cleaning.
2. Clean the stained clothing
   To save their clothing, act quickly. Start by removing solid matter without rubbing them into the clothes. If the nappy explosion has leaked into changing pads, blankets, etc. make sure you also remove any solid matter from these items too. They may have been caught in the crossfire so cleaning your infant and any hard surfaces that may have come in contact with it is important.

Use an enzyme cleaning products like Bio one™ Baby and Toddler Surface Cleaner to target odour and stains at the source, removing bad bacteria permanently. The 100% natural way to eliminate odours and stains caused by urine and faeces. Here’s how it works:

1. Mix 10mls Bio one™ concentrate to 100mls of water, or simply follow the markers on your Bio one™ mix + spray bottle.
2. Spray generously onto the affected area. For soft surfaces, carefully work solution into the fibres without rubbing.
3. The enzymes will continue to work while damp therefore spray more if required.
4. Leave for 5-10 mins, wipe with a damp cloth and leave to dry naturally. Repeat if desired.
5. Always test a small area first.

What are enzymes?

Don’t be fooled to think that because enzymes are natural they are less effective than chemical cleaners. Enzymes are nature’s very own powerful cleaning tools. Making them the go to choice for parents who do not want to spray harmful chemicals around their children and their home.

Simply put, enzymes are all around us performing millions of important tasks in our bodies and in nature every single day. They are a type of protein that act like a biological catalyst to speed up the break down of organic compounds.

Similarly to how saliva, (which contains enzymes), initiates the digestion process by breaking down food in our mouths, cleaning enzymes use the same ‘enzymatic digestion’ to effectively break down and eradicate the organic proteins present in urine, faeces, vomit, drool, dirt, food, and more.

This process not only makes cleaning easier but also prevents the growth of bad bacteria – the root cause of those unpleasant odours – in the air, on surfaces, and within the fibres of your soft furnishings.

Try out Bio one™ Baby and Toddler Surface Cleaner today, vomit and the other nasties is what nature created enzymes for.