Diaper rash affects over 50 percent of babies between the ages of 4 and 15 months, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. It occurs when a wet or soiled diaper rubs against your baby's skin and causes irritation. Other potential causes include yeast or bacterial infections. Diaper rash can develop more frequently when babies start solids, take antibiotics, remain in dirty diapers too long or have diarrhea. Keeping your baby's bottom as clean and dry as possible helps heal this condition and prevent it from recurring.
Step 1
Check your baby's diaper every hour during the day and at least once at night. Change his diaper if it's wet or soiled to keep the rash from getting worse.
Step 2
Clean your baby's bottom with cotton balls dipped in warm water, or squirt the area with a bulb syringe and use a baby washcloth or unscented wipes on her skin. Pat her bottom gently to remove all traces of stool and to dry her skin. Avoid rubbing or using wipes containing alcohol or perfumes, which can lead to further skin irritation.
Step 3
Allow your baby's skin to air dry, which can help his rash clear up faster. Adjust the room temperature if it's too cool for him to be undressed. Lay a waterproof pad down then cover it with a thick towel and place your baby on top. Lift his legs slightly to give his bottom more exposure to air. If he doesn't want to lie down, let him walk around without a diaper, but keep cleaning supplies nearby in case of accidents.
Step 4
Apply a generous amount of barrier ointment, such as white zinc oxide or petroleum ointment, to your baby's diaper area each time you change her. The ointment helps prevent diaper rash from spreading or becoming more severe by keeping stool and urine off of her skin. You don't need to wipe off ointment from a previous diaper change.
Step 5
Put a bigger diaper on your baby or put his regular diapers on loosely to keep the soiled areas away from his skin. If your baby wears cloth diapers, don't put plastic pants on over them.
Tips and Warnings
- Switch to a different brand of disposable diapers if your baby develops diaper rash frequently. The rash could result from an allergic reaction to your current brand.
- Do not use creams or ointments containing steroids without consulting a pediatrician first since these products can be harmful. Call your baby's pediatrician if the rash doesn't begin to heal within 3 days, spreads to other areas, makes your baby cry, keeps her from sleeping, or shows signs of infection such as blisters or open sores. Also call if your baby develops a fever.
Things You'll Need
- Cotton balls, soft washcloth or unscented wipes
- Bulb syringe
- Waterproof pad
- Towel
- Barrier ointment
