While all babies drool at times, most parents really start to notice problems once those first teeth start breaking through the gums. Drool isn't just sticky and unsightly. It also can wreak havoc on your baby's sensitive skin. Fortunately, there are ways to help keep your child protected as he works his way through this important period of his development.
Drool Rash
Drool rash can develop on the chin, neck, chest, face and lips and usually shows up as a raised red rash. Some parents also notice chapped lips caused by drool. Particularly prodigious droolers can end up with drool rash just about anywhere, including arms, belly and legs, if they spread saliva around while playing or sleeping. Even when you are diligent about wiping away excess drool, you baby can still get a rash during the night when saliva pools on her bedding where her cheek lies.
Soaking Up Drool
If your baby is a frequent drooler, don't let him go without a shirt. Change your child's top whenever you notice it becoming soaked with drool so that it doesn't irritate the skin underneath the shirt. Keeping an absorbent bib on your child is another option, but older babies quickly find ways to pull off an unwanted bib. At night, a cotton diaper or towel under the crib sheet can soak up excess saliva under your child's face. During the day, wipe your baby's face frequently to keep drool from building up and check areas where drool can get trapped in skin folds, such as at the neck or behind the ears.
Barrier Ointments and Creams
An emollient ointment can help keep your baby's face and body protected from saliva. Lanolin, which commonly is used by breastfeeding mothers to soothe sore nipples, makes a great protective barrier and healing ointment all in one. Other options include petroleum jelly or diaper cream. You might have to reapply the ointment or cream many times over the course of the day, though, since eating and playing can cause it to wear off after a while. Remember to apply it at night before your baby goes to sleep, as well.
Treatments
If your baby already has developed a rash due to drool, treat the skin before trying to protect it. Wash the area with a warm, wet washcloth and gently pat it dry with a towel. Be careful not to rub the skin while drying it, since this can cause further irritation. You also should check your baby's bottom for diaper rash if the drool problem is severe, since drool can act as a laxative and lead to diaper-rash inducing diarrhea.
