How to prevent and treat diaper rash
Your little bundle of joy has finally slept through the night (YAY!), but in a wet diaper (OOPS!)? Diaper rash – the redness on your baby’s bottom – is common and can easily be treated. Here are some tips for quick relief and advice to prevent future episodes of this irritating and uncomfortable feeling affecting your little one.
What causes diaper rash?
Diaper rash is a form of dermatitis that appears in the first 15 months of a child’s life due to prolonged contact with a soiled diaper. It can also be caused by substances that are present within your laundry detergents, soaps, or wipes used to clean your child. Fortunately, the consequences are rarely serious and usually go away within two to four days1. But that doesn’t mean it can’t hurt.
How can you relieve your baby?
Even though diaper rash is not a major health concern, it can quickly become a source of worry for new parents. After all, a baby crying incessantly can be exhausting for both of you. Luckily, these six tips can help relieve your baby’s skin.
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Change the diaper as soon as it gets soiled.
Picture Credit : Tania Cooling
You have the privilege of having a magical baby that sleeps through the night? Be sure to change their diaper before going to bed to prevent too much pee from accumulating throughout the night.
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Gently clean your baby’s bottom with a washcloth and warm water.
Avoid soap as it could be a cause of diaper rash as well. Be sure to thoroughly dry the bum by gently sponging it (do not rub!)
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Stop using disposable wipes that contain alcohol and fragrances.
For when you don’t have access to a clean washcloth, hypoallergenic baby wipes enriched with oat will become your new best friend.
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Generously apply diaper cream to your baby’s bottom.
The best formulas for relieving and preventing diaper rash are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and zinc oxide-based. In fact, zinc – a mineral that poses no health risk when not inhaled according to EWG2 – creates a physical barrier on the skin that blocks moisture while preventing irritation. Think of it like icing on a cake, feel free to apply generously.
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Protect your skin well with a soothing rash cream.
If you noticed that your baby’s skin frequently reacts to care products or that it regularly suffers from diaper rash, switch to a diaper cream that contains soothing and moisturizing ingredients that are naturally sourced such as oats, shea butter, and chamomile extract. Make sure the cream has not only been dermatologically tested, but also bears the EWG Verified™ seal. Set comfort to your baby’s bottom and your heartstrings.
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Leave your baby’s bottom exposed as often as possible.
It’s not the easiest applicable tip, but it is very effective. Tip on a tip: Let your baby fall asleep without a diaper in the cradle on a waterproof mattress protector, then put on a diaper before you go to bed.
| According to the magazine Naître et grandir, it is recommended to consult a doctor if diaper rash symptoms last longer than four days, the rash is accompanied with a fever, there is an appearance of blisters or boils, or if the rashes appear someplace other than where the skin is in contact with the diaper. |
How to prevent diaper rash?
To prevent future irritations and the crying that is sure to ensue, follow the tips previously mentioned. Now that you’ve remembered those, here are five more worth adding to your memory bank.
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Avoid clothes or diapers that are too tight.
Air must be able to circulate to fend off humidity.
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If you use disposable diapers, switch to a different brand.
Some brands are more irritating than others. Choose a product that is absorbent throughout the day and night and, preferably, hypoallergenic and free from chlorine, fragrance, and dye. Brownie points for biodegradable diapers like these.
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If you use washable diapers, choose diapers made from bamboo, hemp, or microfibre.
They’re more absorbent than cotton. Also, diapers with a microsuede or micropolar fleece lining keep the buttocks drier.3
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Wash your hands and your child’s hands after every diaper change.
Picture Credit : Alex Talbot
In rare cases, diaper rash can be associated with a fungal infection. Hand washing becomes essential in reducing the risk of transmission.
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Choose gentle and clean products
Your baby’s skin is fragile and it deserves the best. This bundle of hypoallergenic and fragrance-free essentials contains no ingredients of concern, according to EWG – just everything you need to pamper the apple of your eye.
Your baby may experience more than one bout with dermatitis within its first two years of life. There’s nothing to worry about and it certainly doesn’t make you bad parents! To overcome mild skin irritation problems such as diaper rash, it can be as simple as choosing the right body care or household products. Luckily for you, we know some tricks for that too . ;)