A baby's diaper rash is a common concern for new parents, and it can be especially worrying when the child is extremely young. About half of all babies between the ages of 4 to 15 months develop a diaper rash within any given two-month period, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, but younger infants are susceptible as well. Fortunately, diaper rash ointments and creams safely treat the problem, and parents can use these products on a baby's bottom as soon as they notice signs of a rash, no matter how old the infant is.
Diaper Rash
Most babies get diaper rash at some point during infancy. The basic conditions that typically lead to diaper rash include too much moisture and too little air in the diaper area and prolonged exposure to urine or feces, combined with potential irritants such as the diaper material, wipes, laundry soap or bath products. The introduction of solid foods may also trigger diaper rash. Skin sensitivity differs among babies, so parents may have to experiment with brands of diapers and other baby products to eliminate causes of irritation to your child's skin.
Ointments and Creams
There are plenty of diaper rash ointments and creams available to help soothe and protect sensitive baby skin from diaper rash. These products are formulated specifically for infants, so they can be used even on newborns suffering from diaper rash. Petroleum-based ointment works well for everyday use since it provides a protective barrier against moisture. White zinc oxide-based products are thicker, so they may be better for occasional use on babies who develop moderately severe rashes. Always make sure the baby's bottom is dry before applying either type of ointment or cream, since moisture trapped under the product can make diaper rash worse.
Alternative Solutions
Instead of relying solely on diaper ointment to keep your baby free of diaper rash, concentrate on preventing it by keeping his diaper area clean and dry. After changing your baby's diaper, you can leave him without a diaper for 10 to 20 minutes to let his bottom air out and make rashes less likely to develop. If diaper rash persists, try changing the type of diaper you use or changing your baby more frequently.
Considerations
If your baby gets frequent diaper rashes or the rash doesn't go away within a few days, contact his pediatrician. A persistent or unusual rash could be a sign of another problem, such as a yeast infection or intertrigo, an oozing pus-filled rash caused by constant rubbing. These conditions require treatment with special topical medication that helps cure the problem, so regular diaper ointment will not work. A baby who is under 6 weeks old and develops diaper rash should also be evaluated by a pediatrician.
