5 steps on how to heal a diaper rash

5 steps on how to heal a diaper rash

If you are a mom, you've probably already dealt with diaper rash. For those of you that haven't, you will. One of the laws of nature, I guess. Have baby, have diaper rash. Some only see it a few times, others  get to be pros at handling it because we do it so frequently. With multiple kids and multiple bums, you gain experience. Hopefully my experience can help a new mom avoid some headache.

Here's what I know:

1.     Air – encourage air on the skin.  Naked time after a bath is both fun and beneficial.  Make sure clothing is breathable and not too restrictive.

2.     Switch your wipes – use just water and a washcloth, or one of those new less-chemical wipes, like WaterWipes or BumBoosa. Baby's bottom could be irritated by something some chemical or fragrance in your wipes

3.     Use a protective cream barrier to prevent, heal minor redness

·      Keep a few different types on hand, some work better than others depending on the rash. 

·      Consider a zinc oxide based cream

·      Consider a more natural healing balm, like coconut oil, breastmilk, oatmeal bath. Coconut oil worked like a dream for me

·      Skip the powders

4.     Be sure to get all the bm and urine off at each change. I know, this sounds like a "duh" point, but you'll think of this when you've got poo stuck on a diaper rash and you're trying to scrape it off and your baby is crying in pain. Yes, you really do need to get it off.

5.     Still doesn’t heal?  - Contact your pediatrician as it may be a yeast or bacterial infection.  I was afraid to be "that mom" that took her kid into the doctor for a diaper rash, but it was a good thing I did. Turns out, we needed a round of antibiotics to get rid of a particularly nasty rash once.

Prevent future outbreaks

·         Timely changes – at least every 2 hours or when baby has a bowel movement.

·         Plenty of fresh air time sans diaper

·         Look for the cause:

o    Did Baby try any new or acidic foods? There's a good reason that I hate blueberries.

o    Baby's teething? Not sure of the science behind it, but teething wreaks havoc on everything, including baby's bum.

o    Consider your diapers:

Cloth diapers – Did you change detergents?   Do your diapers have an odor or need to be stripped?  Consider more natural fibers for inserts, or a stay-dry layer to keep the wet off the bum. Consider using disposable until an infection clears up.

Disposable Diapers -  Consider a different brand.  Try 1-3 samples of a brand to see if it works – does not leak or cause skin irritation.  Consider brands that are latex free (Kirkland, Bambo), fragrance free (Babies R Us, Naty), chlorine free (Up and Up, Seventh Generation).

 Common sense disclaimer:

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.  The author nor publisher takes responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.