Ways to Care for a Diaper Rash

Those red painful diaper rashes are every parents nightmare, making every nappy change more and more stressful for both you and your baby, but hey don't worry as there are ways we could help heal those rashes faster and bring back those cheerful smiles again. Let us look at some of the tried and tested diaper rash remedies for babies from experts and moms around the globe.

Always keep the area dry and clean

Never leave soiled diapers on too long, change them as soon as possible and as frequently as possible as the moisture in the diapers makes the rash worse. It is also a good idea to leave the baby without a diaper for sometime to air dry and heal in between diaper changes.

Related: Baby Poop: Color, Texture and What it Means

Be Gentle During Every Change

Try to wash the area with water using a mild scent free soap and pat dry. If washing is not an option then as much as possible use alcohol and scent free wipes. Be very gentle while wiping the area as it may aggravate the rash.

Correct Size and Fit

The size and fit of the diaper matters. Ensure that you are using the right size for your baby, diaper should be comfortable and have space for the area to breathe. Snug fit diapers make the rash worse and the baby more irritable while loose fit will not effectively contain.

Related: Why do Babies Cry?

Ways to Calm a Crying Baby

Cloth Diapering

While it is eco-friendly, safe and a sustainable alternative to regular diapers, in case of a rash it could delay the healing if proper care is not taken to change the nappy on time to keep the area dry as usually cloth nappies are less absorbent and moisture worsens the rashes.

Treat the rash timely

For effective diaper rash care at home use an anti-rash cream daily so you prevent a rash if your baby is more prone to one and also helps heal a rash fasterwhen you see one. It is always best to try and choose a brand that suits your baby, use as advised on the label till the rash heals. Zinc oxide based creams help keep moisture away to an extent. Coconut oil is a very good natural alternative for prevention and in case of mild rashes.