So, put yourself in the scene, either you're faced with the first opportunity to show off your eagerness to be a 'new' & active dad and can't wait to delve in to the job or alternatively you've been dreading this moment for ages and finally you are alone in the house with just you, your baby and a smell that says "No way can you get out of this one!".  Either way, the approach is the same, but before you start, check that your baby didn't simply pass wind.  It's true, babies can stink the place out with a small but violent "butt cough", so peek in the sides of the diaper first.  If you're confronted with an erupted volcano and mess up to the neck, then you may want to head to the bath for an initial clean up operation before the "wipe and refresh" bit starts.

Step 1:  Preparation

BE PREPARED!  The old "boy scout" motto is the number 1 rule. Make sure all the stuff you will need is at hand and that you're ready for the job.  The best way to achieve this (and save a lot of hassle later) is to fix up a simple changing table before your baby is born.  You can pick up a cheap and functional unit at most DIY places or make one yourself.  The design is pretty basic (just a small table with a rim that sits at waist height and is fixed to the wall - if you want to be really fancy, put shelves underneath for storage of creams, diapers etc.) this ensures that all the stuff for changing baby is in the same place each time its needed.  Also, buy one of those changing mats to go on the table so that he/she has somewhere soft to lie on and can't roll off to the sides very easily.

Basic Design for a Changing Table 

Before you carry your baby to the changing zone, another preparation is to wash your hands and remove any sharp rings that may harm young skin.  Also have a disposal bag available close by.

Step 1:  Preparation

Step 2:  The disaster Zone

Step 3:  The Clean-Up

Step 4:  Closing the Deal