When is it appropriate to wear gloves during diapering?

• A. Only when hands are visibly dirty.
• B. Anytime there is contact with bodily fluids or potential contamination; always perform hand hygiene before and after.
• C. Only when diapering a child with a contagious illness.
• D. Never wear gloves during diapering.

Answer: (B)

In diapering, protecting against the spread of germs is the priority, and that means wearing gloves anytime you expect contact with bodily fluids or potential contamination, and doing hand hygiene both before putting on gloves and after removing them. The gloves act as a barrier to stool, urine, and wipes, helping keep your hands clean and reducing the chance of transferring germs to surfaces, the child, or yourself. They’re especially important when the diaper is soiled, when there’s leakage, or when you’re cleaning the baby after a soiled diaper. Remember, gloves are not a substitute for handwashing; wash hands before gloving to start clean, and wash after doffing to remove any contaminants that may have gotten on your skin. Change gloves between children or tasks and dispose of them properly.

Wearing gloves only for visibly dirty hands, only for contagious illnesses, or never wearing gloves during diapering don’t align with how contamination can occur in real-life diapering scenarios and overlook the need for consistent hygiene and barrier protection.