Everything about your newborn is a sight to behold—except when there are red, flaky patches on your little one’s diaper area. Such discomfort obviously causes parents to panic and the baby to be irritable.
So we are not sitting pretty on this issue, mama. While we may not be able to fully protect our child from diaper rash, it’s important to learn as much information as we can to reduce the chances of it happening to our precious bundle of joy. So read on!
What is diaper rash and what causes it?
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Diaper rash is a common form of inflamed skin (dermatitis) that appears as a patchwork of bright red skin on your baby's bottom.”
There are different factors that can cause it:
- They may be allergic to the disposable diaper, baby wipes, or even the detergent used to launder cloth diapers. Their delicate skin may also be sensitive to certain bath and skin products.
- Tight-fitting diapers that chafe or rub against their skin can cause irritation.
- Wetness due to a soiled diaper can irritate a baby’s skin and trigger rashes.
- The diaper area is warm and moist, making it a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast.
- When a child starts eating solid food, the content and frequency of their stool also change, and this can lead to diaper rash.
The Mayo Clinic suggests that diaper rash is characterized by skin signs (red, tender-looking skin in the buttocks, thighs, and genitals) and changes in the child’s disposition (baby is fussy and often cries when you touch the diaper area).
How to prevent diaper rash
A fussy baby makes for a tired mama. Before that happens, try to do these measures:
- Don’t let your baby wear a diaper for a long period of time, especially if you know they have urinated or defecated already. Damp skin is more susceptible to rashes. Make it a habit to check their diapers and replace them with a clean and dry one as frequently as possible.
- Tight diapers prevent air to come through your baby’s bottom and can also cause chafing at their skin. Ensure you have the right size of diaper. This also applies to clothes as ill-fitting ones can cause irritation.
- You can use wet wipes with gentle formulation when changing your baby’s nappies. Some parents opt for a clean washcloth with warm water. Make sure the skin is dry before putting on a new diaper.
- Because their skin is sensitive and delicate, go for products that are in their gentlest form and are recommended for baby’s use.
How to deal with diaper rash
If your child has already developed a diaper rash, don’t freak out. You can simply follow these tips to treat it and ease their irritation:
- Make sure the barrier cream that you will use is proven to be mild on baby’s skin. It should be free from harmful chemicals like alcohol, paraben, and phthalate—simply put, gentle and safe for your little one.
- Did you know that your breastmilk has moisturizing and natural healing properties? You can apply some of it to the inflamed area and let it dry.
- Let their bottom breathe. If possible, allow your baby to roam bare-bottomed at home for a few hours.
- The goal is for your baby’s diaper to be not so tight that it rubs against their skin and is snug enough to prevent leaks. You can use one size bigger than their regular size for more space until the rash is treated.
- if it helps treat your baby’s rashes.
- when the rashes persist or worsen after three days or when your baby develops other symptoms such as fever.
