It is a common occurrence for babies to get diaper rash. If the rash goes untreated, it can become very serious and will cause a lot of pain and discomfort for your baby. There are ways to prevent diaper rash and ways to treat it if it occurs. Follow these tips to prevent diaper rash from occurring.
Using diaper ointments during diaper changes is the best way to prevent a rash from flaring up. Using ointments puts a protective layer between the diaper and your baby's skin. Natural products are the best to use because there aren't any harsh chemicals. Artificial fragrances in products that aren't organic can irritate skin. Ointment will soften your baby's skin and protect it.
Another prevention tip that should be followed is to change your baby's diaper often. Leaving a diaper on for long amounts of time will cause irritation and can lead to chronic rashes and yeast infections. Ideally you should change your baby's diaper every two hours. If you find that your baby's diaper isn't wet after two hours, space out the changes to every three of four hours. When diapers stay wet for too long, that is when they start to cause rashes.
Try changing diaper brands to prevent rashes from occurring. It is a parent's personal choice to use cloth or disposable diapers for their baby. However, if you are noticing that disposable diapers are causing rashes and you've tried different types of brands, you should switch to cloth diapers. If you are already using cloth diapers, be sure to clean them well. Try not to use detergents that are too heavily perfumed. An old trick for cleaning cloth diapers is to add vinegar to the rinse cycle.
To prevent diaper rash, you should also clean your baby well during a diaper change. Be careful about what you are using to clean with too. Avoid using wipes that are scented; unscented wipes will cause less irritation. If the wipes are too harsh or cause rashes, use warm water to clean your baby. Babies' skin is so sensitive that even mild soaps can cause irritation.
A little fresh air never hurt anyone, as the saying goes. This is true for babies as well and it's another tip to preventing rash. When possible, let your baby run free without a diaper. Fresh air will help dry your baby's skin.
Following these tips, using diaper ointment and other preventative measures will keep your baby rash free.
Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com.
