Reducing the risk of diaper rash

If your baby’s bottom is sore or red, he might be experiencing diaper rash. This could be caused by prolonged contact with wet nappies and it might make your baby fuss. Below are a few handy diaper rash treatment tips, and tips on how to prevent the rash.

All babies get a red or sore bottom from time to time, even with frequent diaper changes and careful cleaning. Diaper rash is such a common condition that it happens to nearly every baby at some point. You certainly aren’t a bad parent if your baby gets one, and fortunately, it is usually easily treated and improves within few days.

Symptoms Of Diaper Rash

A diaper rash is usually marked by red, puffy and tender-looking skin in the diaper region – buttocks, thighs and genitals. The skin may have rashes or just look red and irritated, causing your baby to be more uncomfortable than usual, especially during diaper changes.

Diaper Rash Treatment

Ideally, you want to try and prevent your baby getting a diaper rash in the first place. These simple steps will help:

• Change wet or soiled diapers as soon as possible. Young babies can need changing as many as 10 or 12 times a day, and older babies at least six to eight times.
• Clean the whole diaper area thoroughly, wiping from front to back. Use plain water, or specially formulated baby products.
• Lay your baby on a towel and leave the diaper off for as long and as often as you can to let fresh air get to the skin. Use a barrier cream, such as zinc and castoroil.

If your baby does get diaper rash, you can treat it with a diaper rash cream which can be recommended to you by your pharmacist or doctor. If the rash is not treated, your baby may develop a thrush infection or a persistent bright red moist rash with white or red pimples which spreads to the folds of the skin. In this case, you will need to use an antifungal cream so make sure to consult your doctor.

Breastfeeding Reduces the Incidence of Diaper Rash

Breast milk contains Prebiotics which helps the growth of beneficial bacteria in the baby’s intestines and, in turn, helps strengthen the baby’s immunity and works to kill fungus which is a major cause of diaper rash.