”Diaper rash” is a common situation with babies, that usually affects a baby’s bottom and the adjoining areas. A familiar problem for babies around 8-10 months, rashes can be a result of infrequent changing of a baby’s diaper.
A diaper rash can make your baby agitated, restless, and cause frequent episodes of crying. It can also lead to severe problems such as a change in eating habits or sleeping patterns. However diaper rashes can be prevented with proper hygiene and a bit of tender loving care.
The Common Causes of Diaper Rash
Diaper rash can be caused due to a simple lack of hygiene and negligence.
The primary causes of diaper rash are-
- Growth of bacteria in the diaper
- Improper cleaning of the baby bottle after urination and feces
- Friction of the diaper cloth with the skin
- Dampness inside the diaper due to a closed environment
Simple Diaper Changing Steps to Avoid Diaper Rash
Check your baby’s diaper often and change the diaper as frequently as needed to keep your baby clean and dry all the time. Following are some simple steps to take when changing a diaper that will help prevent diaper rashes.
- Clean
When changing the diaper of your baby, you should first wipe the bottom with baby wipes or a warm and wet washcloth. You can try using biodegradable baby wipes; they are both excellent for the baby as well as the environment.
- Dry
Wait till the skin is as dry as possible before putting on a new diaper.
- Apply cream or powder
Apply a thick layer of any effective diaper rash cream or any zinc-based cream on the diaper area, or you can also apply baby powder during every diaper change.
Identify a diaper rash before it becomes a threat to your child’s health!
Be careful and attentive when you are changing your child’s diaper. When changing your baby’s diaper check for the following key symptoms that may arise if your baby is developing a rash.
- Sensitivity to touch
- Chafing of the skin
- Flaking of the skin
- Patches of redness in different areas of the bottom
Some Tips to Prevent Diaper Rash
Diaper rashes can be preventable. See below for some tips that can help you keep your baby rash free.
- Switch diaper brand
Choosing the correct diaper is essential. You need to pick the right one to ensure that it does not irritate your child’s skin. You can opt for natural baby diapers; they are non-toxic to the skin and are primarily biodegradable, which makes them eco-friendly.
- Check for leakage in the diaper
Check for any leakage in your baby’s diaper. Spill inside the diaper can often lead to rashes and bacterial infection. Make sure you are using a diaper with a high absorbency rating.
- Check the fitting of the diaper
If the fitting of the diaper is not as per your baby’s size, it can lead to leakage. You should choose a size that fits your baby comfortably and not any size bigger or smaller.
- Try diaper ointments and creams
Using diaper rash creams or ointments while changing diapers can help you prevent rashes and allergies.
- Allow the diaper area to breathe
In between changing diapers, make sure to let the area breathe to ensure it’s dry and clean.
- Delay introducing new food
Introducing new food to your child’s palate may lead to irregular bowel. This can, in turn, lead to the formation of rashes due to often wet diapers. If this happens, try to avoid the offensive food item for the time being and introduce it later when the child has developed a stronger digestive system.
- Avoid rubbing or scrubbing of the bottom.
While cleaning the diaper area, try to avoid any movement of scrubbing or rubbing. Pat, the bottom of the baby, lightly wipe it clean.
- Change laundry brand
Check your laundry detergent for any skin irritating ingredients. Try to change to a detergent brand that suits your child’s sensitive skin.
Home remedies for treating diaper rash
Diaper rash is a common problem that parents have been dealing with since long ago, so there are some common home remedies that you can use to treat diaper rashes. Household items such as baking soda can help balance the pH on the skin.
Conclusion
Being a parent is a lot of work but making the right choices for your child’s health and safe future is essential. Try these above prevention and treatment methods today to keep your baby’s diaper rash-free and healthy.
