Diaper Rash - How To Save Your Baby's Butt!

When you’re trying to dodge projectile feces, keep your breakfast down from the stench, and juggle diapers, wipes, powder, ointment and kicking legs, the last thing you want to have to deal with is a screaming infant who is in serious pain.

Most babies get this kind of rash at some time or another. It does not mean that you’re a neglectful parent.

7 Ways to Avoid Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a collection of bumps, blisters, sores, pimples, inflamed skin, or just plain red patches of swollen skin. When you combine the sensitivity of a baby’s skin with the chemicals and moisture of stool and urine and include the constant rubbing of a diaper, a rash is bound to occur.

It doesn’t mean that your child has diarrhea, a yeast infection, or food allergies. It doesn’t even mean that you aren’t changing your child’s diaper frequently enough.

1. However, it is always best to change a newborn’s diaper every two hours.

2. Change poopy diapers immediately.

These and a few other tips will help lessen the frequency of diaper rash.

3. You can try using different brands of diapers (if you’re using disposables) as some might result in less friction, or better absorption than others. (Off band diapers may not absorb as much, leaving baby’s skin wet. They may also leak faster. So test any new brand before stocking up.)

4. If you are using cloth diapers, try adding a half-cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. This will help remove the alkaline irritants. If this doesn’t work, try switching laundry detergents. Your child may be experiencing an allergic reaction.

5. Always use unscented wipes or just plain water. These will be less likely to cause irritation.

6. Make sure you wipe very well. Newborns often have many folds in their skin where remnants of urine and feces can hide and cause irritation.

7. Always wipe front to back to avoid any risk of infection. This is especially important for baby girls.

Possible Treatments

If these preventive measures are not enough and your child still gets diaper rash, there are some great creams that can nip it in the bud.

Petroleum ointment (such as A &D) is a great everyday medication because it is less sticky and messy.

For more severe rash, a thick cream such as White Zinc Oxide can be helpful.

Other options for effective treatment are:

• Acid Mantle
• Butt Paste
• Lansinoh
• Hydrocortisone 1% cream
• Clotrimazole anti-fungal cream
• and Aluminum Acetate (Burrow’s solution)

Never use creams or ointments that contain:

• boric acid
• camphor
• phenel
• methyl salicylate
• or benzoin tincture.

These elements could be harmful to your baby. Talk to your pediatrician to find the one best suited for your child.

There are a few other things you can do to ease your child’s pain from diaper rash. Instead of wiping the area, try gently washing it with a syringe of warm water, or even a bath. Then blot and dab the area dry. This will make diaper changes a little more time consuming, but a lot less painful for the baby.

Also, let your baby’s bottom “air out” whenever possible. (It is good for your baby to get some diaper off time, even if he or she isn’t suffering from diaper rash.)

Just make sure to put down a pad to catch any accidents, but your child will enjoy the tummy time (great for neck strength) and the rash will begin to dry out and heal.

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