Sometimes diaper rash is quick to clear on a baby other times it can be a persistent irritant for both baby and caregiver. The best strategy is to do all you can to avoid diaper rash from popping up in the first place. Here are five tips for avoiding diaper rash all together!
1. Change Frequently
One of the best lines of defense for diaper rash is changing your baby’s diaper frequently. If there is stool, changing immediately, if you can, is the best plan. Regular changes while your baby is awake will prevent wet diapers from irritating her skin. A good rhythm is changing your baby before and after each nap unless there is stool in her diaper. If you are using cloth diapers, you will likely be changing your baby more frequently to ensure dryness than if you are using disposable diapers.
2. Clean & Dry Gently
While wiping your baby’s bottom, try to use light pressure and gently clean using a wipe, wet cloth, or cotton pad. After cleaning, allow your baby’s bottom to air dry or pat dry with a clean, dry cloth before re-diapering. Be mindful of not fastening your baby’s diaper too tightly when you re-diaper with the new one.
3. Dye & Fragrance Free
If you are using cloth diapers, wash them in a dye and fragrance free detergent such as Tide Free and Gentle, Seventh Generation Free & Clear, or all Free & Clear OXI. Additionally, choose wipes that are fragrance and dye free or use a cotton pad or clean washcloth dipped in warm water. Recommended wipe brands are Water Wipes or Pampers Aqua Pure.
4. Avoid Diaper Rash With Ointment
Apply a barrier ointment or natural oil, such as coconut oil, to your baby’s bottom after drying and before re-diapering. Barrier ointments such as Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment, Embeba Diaper Balm, or coconut oil help to prevent diaper rash from occurring by creating a barrier between your baby’s skin and the contents of her diaper.
5. Go Diaper Free
Any time during the day that you can allow your baby to be diaper free is a nice break for her skin and can help to avoid diaper rash. Going diaper free can be something you do before bedtime as you change your baby into pajamas.
Making some or all these tips part of your baby’s regular routine should help prevent diaper rash from being a regular occurrence in your house!
This article contains amazon affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
About The Author
Courtney Poirier is a veteran Newborn Care Expert with Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny. She has many years of experience with sleep conditioning and coaching in daycare & home settings. Prior to working with babies, she was an elementary school teacher. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and their two sons. One is seven years old and the other is nine years old.
