5 Tips To Avoid Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a common occurrence for babies but it can be really hard to know how to handle the situation when your baby is so upset. I’ve got some great tips to help you avoid the diaper rash situation.

tips to avoid diaper rash

Most of the time Jett is an extremely happy baby, but one thing that has made him upset in the past is his sensitive skin. He has suffered from eczema in the past, but just tends to have more sensitive skin than my other children.

One thing that I learned was to NOT use fleece blankets with him as it wicked the moisture from his skin and made him break out in a rash.

avoiding diaper rash

It seems like from one moment to the next you can be dealing with a baby who is upset or one that is happy. I think this picture is hilarious because really, who doesn’t want a party in the nursery at 2:00 am!?

If your child’s rash is accompanied with a fever, is accompanied with bleeding, oozing, or doesn’t respond well to home treatments it is time to see a doctor.

What causes diaper rash?

Diaper rash can be caused by a number of sources. Here are some things to look out for.

  • Irritation caused by unchanged diapers.

    A baby’s skin is much more tender and prone to irritation. If their diaper is left unchanged a rash can appear. This can be especially worse if your child is sick and is experiencing diarrhea, so it is important that you stay on top of diaper changes in this case.

  • Bacterial or Yeast Infection.

    A simple skin rash can turn into an infection in all diaper areas as it is moist and warm. This kind of environment can breed bacteria quickly. Red dots and irritation can spread all through the bottom.

  • Chafing or rubbing.

    If the clothes your baby is wearing are too tight or rub too much the clothing can cause a rash. This can be made even more evident with hot weather and sweating.

  • Irritation from a new product.

    Your baby’s skin may react to baby wipes, a new brand of disposable diapers, or a detergent, bleach or fabric softener used to launder cloth diapers. Keep mindful of the products you are using on your baby’s skin as well. Ointments, lotions, or oils can cause skin irritations as well.

  • Introduction of new foods.

    As babies start to eat solid foods, the content of their stool changes. This increases the likelihood of diaper rash. Changes in your baby’s diet can also increase the frequency of stools, which can lead to diaper rash. If your baby is breast-fed, he or she may develop diaper rash in response to something the mother has eaten.

  • Sensitive skin.

    Babies with skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or seborrheic dermatitis (eczema), may be more likely to develop diaper rash. However, the irritated skin of atopic dermatitis and eczema primarily affects areas other than the diaper area. (This is what I was referencing with my son’s skin being sensitive to the fleece blanket.)

  • Use of antibiotics.

  • Antibiotics can be super helpful, but they can also cause a lot of problems. Antibiotics will kill the good and the bad bacteria. If you are nursing your breastmilk may be affected by antibiotics and cause a diaper rash as well. 

What can be done to avoid diaper rash?

Diaper rashes can also be a problem if your baby has a moist diaper on too long, has diarrhea from an illness, or from an antibiotic. If a diaper rash goes untreated it can lead to damaging the skin even more and result in bacteria or yeast growth. Here are some tips that I have found help my baby avoid diaper rash.

5 tips for avoiding diaper rash

1. Change the diaper as soon as possible.

This is particularly important if your son/daughter is already suffering from a diaper rash. The sooner you are able to change your baby’s diaper the better. Keep in mind that if you have someone taking care of your baby that you will want to remind them to check on it often as well.

***Use a reminder app if you need to have a reminder to check your baby’s diaper often.

2. Use a soft cloth and warm water to clean your baby.

Sometimes wipes can be too harsh while the skin is raw and sensitive. There are wipes that contain no fragrances and you may find one that will work for you, when in doubt just use water and a cloth. If you do decide to use soap make sure that you use mild soap.

3. Air Time

Your baby’s bum may need time to air out before putting a new diaper on. This can give your baby’s bum the chance it needs to dry and reduce the chances of bacterial growth and further irritation. Pat your baby’s bum dry, but do not scrub as that can cause major irritation and make your baby’s symptoms worse.

4. Diaper Cream

I make sure to always use a diaper cream on my baby’s bum that includes Zinc Oxide,  fight diaper rash with Balmex.

Petroleum jelly and zinc oxide are the time-proven ingredients in many diaper ointments. You can find this in many diaper rash creams but this one and this one are some of my favorites.

I like buying a tube type of diaper cream for my diaper bag, but I love having a stand up diaper cream like this one that I can use easily while I am changing a diaper.

  • Balmex Diaper Rash Cream is proven to reduce redness in ONE diaper change, making it easy to help treat and prevent diaper rash irritation. Only Balmex has ActivGuard, to help neutralize harmful irritants found in dirty or wet diapers. Balmex with ActivGuard offers the protection your baby needs.
  • Formulated with doctor-recommended zinc oxide plus three soothing botanicals and skin nourishing vitamins B5 and E to help soothe and treat diaper rash, while moisturizing and nourishing baby’s irritated skin. Goes on smooth, wipes off easily.

If diaper cream is not enough it is a good idea to see a doctor and see if there is a topical or oral antibiotic that can clear up your baby’s rash.

5. Stay on Top of the Moisture

Keep in mind that diaper rashes will come and go but it is important to stay on top of it so it doesn’t get worse. Most of the time babies will recover from them rather quickly. If you have concerns or you start to notice that it is developing a smell or getting worse consult your doctor as you may need a higher strength treatment. I hope you found these tips helpful! Let’s End the Red!

**Avoid powders as they are no longer recommended by doctors. Inhaled powder can irritate a baby’s lungs.

Keep your hands washed to avoid spreading any active bacteria or yeast.

One extra note: If your son/daughter is in a swimming diaper remember to remove it promptly when the swimming is done. The day I wrote this I left one on too long and my son had a diarrhea diaper. Ew. I know. But because the swim diaper does nothing for absorption he got a severe diaper rash from diarrhea FAST and it was one of the worst ones he’s ever had! I guess I must have needed to experience that so I could warn you now!

5 tips to avoid diaper rash
You may also be interested in these posts: The Best 10 Tips to help your baby sleep through the night, sleep training, sleep, baby, mymommystyle.com, sleepingnursing, breastfeeding, breastfeeding tips, mymommystyle.com what to expect, baby, motherhood, birth, nursing, baby, mymommystyle.comcamille walker, mymommystyle.com Don’t forget to check back with our Summer Learning Series all Summer long! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, follow our YouTube Channel, and watch our day to day happenings on Pinterest and Instagram

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  • Juliet

    So crazy how most of the melted crayons were either red or blue..lol.. well mine were an array of colors. But the tips worked, thanks….ReplyCancel

  • Juliet

    So crazy how most of the melted crayon stains were either red or blue. Lol. Well mine were an array of colors, but the tips worked. Thank you.ReplyCancel

  • I seriously love this hack! thank you for continuing to post on your blog (even though i’m sure engagement is down). its one of my favorite parts!!ReplyCancel

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Hello! I am Camille, a wife, mother of four, Disney obsessed, certified teacher, and reality optimist. Motherhood comes with its ups and downs, and I hope while you're here you'll find something that makes your #momlife easier!

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