Check your baby's nappy frequently and change it as soon as the nappy becomes wet or dirty. When your baby is tiny, this could mean changing his nappy up to 10 times a day, usually soon after he's had a feed, soon after he wakes and before he goes to bed for his longest sleep. If you feel as if nappy changing is taking over your life, don't despair. Over the months, you'll find he needs changing less often.

If your baby wakes and his nappy is dirty or very wet, you should change it. However, one of the ways you can encourage him to sleep for longer at night is by keeping night changes as low key as possible. Check your baby's nappy gently after you've fed him. If he's not too wet, leave it on until the next time he wakes. Any sign of redness or nappy rash on your baby's bottom will let you know if you're not changing his nappy frequently enough.

To check you have the right size of nappy, ensure the nappy is a snug fit with a comfortable waistband and fitting leg elastic. If you find that the nappy has gaps then this could indicate the nappy is too big and may cause leakage. All nappy sizes are done by weight so this is your best indication of which size you should be buying.

You're probably used to what you find in your baby's nappy, but it's well worth keeping an eye on it. Wetness may be the most common cause of nappy rash but your baby's skin can also be irritated by contact with bacteria in dirty nappies. A change in diet will cause a change in the contents of your baby's nappy. Ask you health visitor if you are ever worried about your baby's nappy - usually she can reassure you. For example, if you switch from breast- to bottlefeeding, you'll find the bright yellow faeces change to brown. But other changes can sometimes mark a change in your baby's health.