Doula Tips For Diaper Rash Treatment
Is your baby in a never-ending battle with diaper rash?
No parent wants to see their sweet baby in pain and irritated. You are probably looking for a quick, effective solution. Depending on how severe your baby’s diaper rash is, it may take a longer or shorter amount of time to heal. Using some of our tips may help.
Causes of Diaper Rash
First off, let’s talk about the leading causes of diaper rash. Figuring out the cause is half the battle!
Understanding the cause of your baby’s diaper rash, makes it more likely you can prevent it in the future. Using a few helpful tips, of course.
Learning to be proactive instead of reactive when treating your baby’s rash will help you in the long run.
Here are the main causes of diaper rash:
- Leaving wet or soiled diapers on too long
- Rubbing or chafing
- Bacterial or yeast infections
- Sensitive skin or skin conditions (i.e. eczema)
- Antibiotics
- Weaning from breastmilk or formula and introducing new food
So, when you’re trying to figure out what caused your baby’s diaper rash…
Think about the most likely cause and make a diaper rash treatment plan.
Let us help you with a few helpful tips!
Tip #1 – Keep Your Baby’s Bum as Dry as Possible
Trying to stay in tune with your baby’s needs will greatly help you.
Newborns need changing more frequently than older babies or toddlers. They urinate or have a bowel movement much more often, so they tend to be wet or soiled more.
So, plan accordingly.
Your newborn will likely need changing about every 2 hours. So, if you have plans to travel a longer distance with your newborn, make sure to plan for extra stops to change them.
If you need, set a timer on your phone to remind yourself to check your baby’s diaper.
“Mommy brain” is a real thing… trust us! So there is no shame in setting a timer if it helps.
If your baby is older, they’ll likely need changing every 3 to 4 hours.
Changing diapers when wet will decrease diaper rash substantially. And, using this timeframe as a standard practice will help prevent diaper rash too, it’s a win-win!
Tip #2 – Consider Diaper Size or Brand
Check to make sure your diapers fit your baby well. If your baby continues to get diaper rash, you may consider sizing their diaper up or down.
Diapers fit snugly, so chafing is more likely to happen if the diaper is too small. If your baby has an active diaper rash, a diaper that’s too tight will increase moisture levels. This can cause your baby’s diaper rash to grow. So, sizing up may help slow the spread of the rash also.
On the flip side, make sure the diaper isn’t too large. Having too much room can cause the diaper to rub against your baby’s skin too much.
Also, check your fastening technique. Diapers that are fastened too tightly can cause chafing and lock in moisture, potentially leading to diaper rash. If you notice red marks from the elastic of your baby’s diaper, adjust the fit by fastening it more loosely.
In addition to this, your baby may be sensitive to the brand of diaper you’re using. If this is the case, you may want to consider switching your diaper brand.
Remember, every baby is different.
Here are a few diaper brands for babies prone to diaper rash or who have sensitive skin:
- Pampers Pure Protection
- Bambo Nature
- Babyganics
- The Honest Company
- Dyper
- Seventh Generation
- Nest Baby
Tip #3 – Use Ointments and Creams to Help
There are so many amazing diaper rash treatment creams and ointments to try.
Here are a few great options:
- Triple Paste
- Desitin
- Aquaphor
- Earth Mama
- A+D Treat
- Honest Cream Spray
- Burts Bees Diaper Ointment
- Boudreaux’s Butt Paste
Each of these creams contain ingredients that will assist your baby’s rash to heal. A cream that contains zinc oxide or petroleum will create a protective layer over the skin. It will allow the skin underneath it to heal and stop the spread of the rash.
All of the above are wonderful choices. Pick a few to test out.
Extra tip: Stay away from using baby powder to either prevent or treat diaper rash. Your baby can inhale this powder, and it can damage their lungs.
Tip #4 – Switch to Disposable Diapers
If you use cloth diapers, you might want to take a short break and use disposable diapers while your baby’s rash heals.
Cloth diapers are not proven to cause more diaper rashes. But for some babies, it helps to switch to disposable diapers. Even if it is just for a short time.
Here is why:
Some cloth diapers are not as absorbent as disposable ones. When your baby’s bum is dry, the faster their diaper rash will heal.
So, more absorbency = quicker healing time.
Then, when it’s healed, feel free to return to cloth diapers!
Tip #5 – Go Diaper Free
Did she say diaper-free???
Yes, I did.
Now, I don’t mean for your baby to go diaper-free for the entire day. Simply give them some designated “diaper-free” time. This allows them a little time for their skin to breathe in the fresh air.
You can rest your baby on a towel or blanket while you sit next to them for 30 minutes or more. You could even take your baby outside and sit in the shade with their bum free. Even if your baby pees you can quickly wipe it up and throw the towel or blanket in the laundry. No biggie. Your baby’s bare bum will thank you.
Some parents find it helpful to buy waterproof pads and set them up in a particular area. That way, you don’t have to worry about poop and pee messes on your floor.
Depending on how severe your baby’s diaper rash is, you may want to increase their diaper-free time.
Tip # 6 Be Gentle
When cleaning up your baby’s bottom, do it very gently.
Their little bum will be very sensitive during an active rash. Make sure not to rub too hard, as this will aggravate the rash more.
It will help to pat gently with a warm washcloth or have your baby take an extra bath. After cleaning them with a warm washcloth or bath, pat them dry with a soft towel.
Tip # 7 Go Fragrance-Free
Using fragrances can help mask various new and not so fun odors you now have in your home. But sometimes, we can unknowingly bring irritants into our baby’s lives.
Many fragrances can cause discomfort, redness, rashes, or other irritation, even on normal baby skin. So, for anything that touches your baby’s skin, make sure it’s fragrance-free. It’ll make treating diaper rash that much easier!
Here’s a list of fragrance-free items to try:
Lastly, If your baby gets rashes that don’t clear quickly, even when you keep your baby’s diaper area clean and dry, talk with your pediatrician.
Come To A Newborn Care Class
Want to learn more to prepare for your baby’s arrival? We have a class for that.
Especially if it’s your first time. And even if it’s not, it doesn’t hurt to have a refresher with new, up-to-date information. You can sign up right here.
In the meantime, we’re always here to help. Our caring and knowledgeable team is ready for you!
Also check out: All About Bathing Your Baby
