Book Lessons and Better Babies

Have you changed a baby’s diaper? If you say “eww, poop,” I’m guessing you’re inexperienced.

Of course there’s poop involved with diapers. But as a big sister to a pair of babies who arrived when I was 9 and 10, the “stinky-poo” aspect didn’t dominate. Instead, my mother demonstrated the firm smooth skin of the baby’s bottom, the careful way you can wipe and get everything clean, and the snuggly satisfaction of placing the diaper pins perfectly, to hold the fresh white cotton (or later, with Mom’s creative touch, striped flannel) in place. And then nuzzling the little guy’s…