How to Prevent Diaper Rash in Infants
Most infants will experience diaper rash at some point in their first year of life, and most parents of babies with diaper rash would do anything to prevent it from happening again. Diaper rash can be quite uncomfortable for an infant, often leaving him irritable and fussy. Despite how common diaper rashes are, there are several ways to prevent diaper rash in infants, leaving baby and parents happy and healthy.
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Things You'll Need
- Diapers
- Mild baby soap
- Cotton balls
- Waterproof pad
- Diaper rash ointment
Instructions
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Always make sure you are using the appropriate size diaper for your infant. Diapers that are too tight will rub on your infant's sensitive skin and irritate it, making the occurrence of diaper rash more likely.
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Change your infant's diapers frequently to limit exposure to urine and feces. When changing diapers, use cotton balls and warm water to cleanse the infant. Allow the infant's skin to dry completely before putting a new diaper on. Keeping a baby's skin dry is imperative to preventing diaper rash.
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Only wash your baby with mild baby soap. Other soaps can be too abrasive and irritate an infant's skin. Never wash an infant more than once a day, as this can dry out his skin and facilitate diaper rash. Always dry an infant's skin thoroughly after bathing to prevent diaper rash.
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Let your infant's bottom air out each day. Place her on a waterproof pad and remove her diaper. You can incorporate this into her daily "tummy time" or any other part of the day. Exposing an infant's sensitive bottom to air helps eliminate irritation due to wetness and prevents diaper rash.
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Use diaper rash ointments during diaper rashes help keep urine from coming in contact with an infant's bottom. Before applying the ointment, make certain his bottom is completely dry. Then, apply it liberally on areas where diaper rash is likely to occur.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask your infant's pediatrician for his recommendations on the best brands of baby soap and diaper rash ointment to help prevent diaper rash.
Baby cornstarch can also be used to keep an infant drier and help to prevent diaper rash.
Baby wipes can irritate some infants' skin and aid in the occurrence of diaper rash. Use cotton balls and warm water during diaper changes instead.
If an infant's skin is not completely dry before applying diaper rash ointment, the ointment will actually trap that moisture and help worsen diaper rash instead of preventing it.
