Diaper rash is one of those things that just seems to come part and parcel with a baby.  You can do everything right and your baby will still get a diaper rash. It isn’t surprising that most babies will suffer from some degree of diaper rash when you consider all the time they spend in diapers with moisture trapped against their sensitive skin.  It doesn’t matter whether you use disposable diapers or cloth diapers, all babies are susceptible to diaper rash.  Some studies have shown that cloth diapers do increase the risk of diaper rash given that they do not wick moisture away from the baby’s skin like disposable diapers do.

So what can you do to prevent diaper rashes?

• Change your baby’s diaper immediately when it is soiled or wet.  The best defense against diaper rash is to keep the skin as dry as possible.
• Clean your baby’s genitals thoroughly at each diaper change and then pat the area dry.
• If your baby is prone to diaper rash or has especially sensitive skin you can use a barrier cream like zinc oxide.
• Food allergies or sensitivity can cause diaper rash as well, so when you are introducing solid foods do so one at a time.
• Leave some extra room in the diaper for air circulation.
• If you are using cloth diapers do not wash them in harsh detergents or detergents that contain fragrances or dyes.  Also, skip the fabric softener and be sure to double rinse the diapers.
• If your child goes to daycare be sure the caregivers know your routine for diaper changes and stick to your rules.

Now it is impossible to prevent all diaper rashes.  As I stated earlier most babies will suffer from a diaper rash at least once in their life.  So what can you do if your baby gets a diaper rash?

• Keep the affected area clean and dry.  Change the baby’s diaper frequently (more frequently than you would normally to ensure the area stays as dry as possible).
• Rinse the affected area with warm water at each diaper change and pat the area dry.  This will help the rash heal and will help prevent infection.
• Use a barrier cream such as zinc oxide or petroleum ointment at each diaper change.  This will create a barrier that will protect the area from getting irritated by urine and stool.
• Whenever possible let your baby spend some time without a diaper on.  If the rash is especially bad consider letting the baby sleep without a diaper on by putting a waterproof mat below the baby during nap and bedtime.  Exposing the affected area to air helps to speed up the healing.
• If you are concerned about the rash or think there may be something wrong contact your pediatrician.

What tricks have you found really helped to prevent or treat diaper rash in your child?