Baby diapers
The baby diaper log records every diaper change with optional detail — stool color, consistency, amount, and rash status. The wet-and-dirty counts are one of the most useful health indicators for newborns (pediatricians ask "how many wet diapers in 24 hours?" at every early well-baby visit because it's a strong proxy for feeding adequacy and hydration).
Quick-log buttons cover ~90% of changes ("just wet", "wet + dirty"), and the full form is one tap away when you need to capture stool detail or note a rash.
What a diaper change records
| Field | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
time | timestamp | Auto-fills to now; back-dateable |
type | enum | wet, dirty, both, dry |
stoolColor | enum (optional) | yellow, brown, green, black, white, red, orange |
stoolConsistency | enum (optional) | watery, loose, soft, formed, hard, pellets |
stoolAmount | enum (optional) | small, medium, large |
hasRash | boolean | |
rashSeverity | enum (optional) | mild, moderate, severe |
appliedCream | boolean | Did you apply diaper rash cream? |
creamUsed | string (optional) | Brand / type (Aquaphor, Desitin, zinc oxide, etc.) |
notes | string (optional) | Free text |
The dry type exists for diaper-checks where the diaper was opened but didn't need changing — useful for hourly check protocols some parents follow with newborns.
Quick-log buttons
The page has four big buttons at the top:
- 💧 Wet — most common, single tap.
- 💩 Dirty — quick log; stool detail optional.
- 💧💩 Both — wet + dirty in one diaper.
- ✨ Dry — opened, didn't need changing.
Tapping a button creates a record with just the type and timestamp. Tap "Add detail" to expand the form for stool detail, rash, notes.
Daily summary
- Total changes today.
- Wet count — strong proxy for hydration / feeding adequacy.
- Dirty count — bowel-movement frequency.
- Has rash — flag if any change today noted a rash.
Expected wet diaper counts (pediatrician reference)
For reference (American Academy of Pediatrics newborn-care guidance):
| Age | Wet diapers per 24 hours |
|---|---|
| Day 1 of life | 1 |
| Day 2 | 2 |
| Day 3 | 3 |
| Day 4 onward | 6+ |
| 1+ months | 6–8+ |
Significantly fewer than these reference counts can indicate feeding adequacy or dehydration concerns and is a reason to call your pediatrician.
Stool color reference
Newborn stool patterns are highly variable. Quick reference (verify with your pediatrician for specific concerns):
| Color | What it often means |
|---|---|
| Black, tarry | Meconium — normal in first 24–48 hours |
| Greenish-black | Transition stool — days 2–4 |
| Yellow, seedy, mustardy | Typical breastfed stool (after transition) |
| Tan / brown | Typical formula-fed stool |
| Bright green | Often normal; can indicate foremilk/hindmilk imbalance, food sensitivity (in breastfeeding), or formula transition |
| Red blood / streaks | Call pediatrician same-day. Possible causes: small anal fissure, milk-protein allergy, more serious causes |
| White / pale (acholic) | Call pediatrician promptly. Can indicate biliary atresia or liver issues — uncommon but urgent |
| Persistent very dark / tarry (past day 4) | Call pediatrician |
The Mayo Clinic and AAP publish detailed patient-facing stool-color charts. LifeWell logs the color you select; it does not flag clinical concerns. If something looks wrong, call your pediatrician — don't wait on the app.
Stool consistency reference
| Consistency | What it often means |
|---|---|
| Watery | Diarrhoea — common with viral illness; concerning if many in a row + dehydration signs |
| Loose | Typical for breastfed babies |
| Soft | Typical for transitional or formula stools |
| Formed | Typical for older infants on solids |
| Hard | Constipation — common with formula transitions and solid-food introduction |
| Pellets | Significant constipation |
Rash tracking
When you flag hasRash, you can record:
- Severity: mild / moderate / severe.
- Cream applied: which one (Aquaphor, Desitin, zinc oxide 40%, A&D, etc.).
- Notes: extent, location, appearance.
Most diaper rashes are minor and respond to:
- Frequent diaper changes (don't let the baby sit in wet/dirty diapers).
- Air time without a diaper.
- Barrier cream (zinc oxide is the workhorse).
- Gentle cleansing (water + soft cloth often beats wipes for inflamed skin).
Rashes that don't respond, spread beyond the diaper area, look like raised satellite pustules (possible yeast), or have open broken skin warrant a pediatrician call.
Reminders
Some parents — especially with newborns — set a 2- or 3-hour diaper-check reminder so they don't lose track. Set under Reminders → Baby diaper. Default off.
Worked example
It's a Wednesday morning. You change your 2-week-old after her first feed. Wet, mustardy yellow, seedy. Quick-tap 💧 Wet, then "Add detail", select stool color: yellow, consistency: soft (the seedy yellow is technically loose/soft), amount: medium. Save.
Daily summary shows 1 wet, 0 dirty, 0 both. By the end of the day she's had 8 wet, 4 dirty (you logged each) — comfortably in the AAP's reference range.
What this log does not do
- Does not diagnose stool issues. Stool color and consistency descriptions above are reference, not diagnosis. For anything concerning (blood, pale, persistent watery), call your pediatrician.
- Does not detect dehydration. Low wet-diaper counts are one signal among many; dehydration also presents with sunken fontanelle, dry mouth, lethargy.
- Does not flag patterns. No automatic "5 days no bowel movement → notify" alert. You watch your baby; LifeWell records.
Frequently asked
Should I really log every diaper? For the first 2–4 weeks, the wet/dirty count is one of the few objective signals you have on feeding adequacy — yes, log every one. After ~6 weeks, when feeding patterns are established, you can drop to logging only notable diapers (large bowel movements, anything unusual).
My baby hasn't pooped in 3 days — is that normal? For exclusively breastfed babies, going 3–7+ days between bowel movements can be normal after the first 4–6 weeks. Formula-fed babies and older infants tend toward more regular patterns. Constipation signs are hard stools or significant straining — not just frequency.
The cream-used field — does it matter what I write? Useful for two reasons: tracking which creams worked (and which didn't) on which rashes, and noting brand-specific information for a pediatrician question.
Can I edit a logged diaper change? Yes — tap the entry in the list. Edit time, type, stool detail, notes. Save updates immediately.
Can my partner log diapers? Yes — with partner access. Both parents log, both see the same list.
Where to read next
- Feeding — diaper counts strongly correlate with feeding adequacy.
- Sleep tracking — overnight diaper-and-feed routines.
- Growth — weight checks alongside diaper counts.
- Milestones — diaper-related milestones (first solid stool, etc.).
Last updated: 2026-05-11 Author: Ahsan Mahmood
:::note Health information — not medical advice LifeWell and this documentation are provided for general wellness and educational purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional with questions about your health, and never disregard or delay professional advice because of something you read here. In an emergency, contact your local emergency services. :::