Fighting and Curing Diaper Rash

Diaper rash can make life miserable for both baby and parents. When Mya was inflicted with it, we tried so many different remedies only to find that in order to heal her, we had to combine several oof them. Remember, the following advice is not intended to replace medical advice. It is just what worked for us. Consult your doctor first to make sure that what your baby has is nothing more serious.

(1) DO NOT USE BABY WIPES. Instead, spray baby's bottom clean with warm water. Make sure you really clean all evidence of poop. You can also use a warm wash cloth but because baby's bottom is already irritated, this may be uncomfortable for him/her. Once area is cleaned, PAT DRY with a clean cotton cloth (prefold cloth diapers work great).

(2) ALLOW BABY TO GO DIAPER FREE. This is by far the BEST way to combat/prevent diaperr rash. Since the rash occurs because skin is exposed to moiosture for a long period of time, you want to make sure baby's bottom is allowed to air out. We placed several cloth diapers in Mya's crib at night and allowed her to sleep on top of them with out a diaper. Then in the morning we tossed the diapers in the wash. Remember to make sure that the room/area is not too cold for baby.

(3) USE AQUAPHOR HEALING OINTMENT (link). This is especially important if there are sores on baby's bottom. After cleaning baby's bottom and patting it dry, apply Aquaphor to the area. While the website says that it traps in moisture, remember that you are drying baby's bottom completely so there is not moisture. Aquaphor creates a barrier over the rash so that moisture rolls off of it. (Aquaophor is also great for severely dry skin and chapped lips).

(4) USE Boudreaux's Butt Paste (link) or Dr. Smith's Diaper Ointment (link). Apply one of these (we use the Butt Paste during the day and the Dr. Smith's at night) over the Aquaphor. Both contain zinc which helps to heal the rash, but if put directly on the rash can burn and cause baby a lot of discomfort.

(5) CHECK TO MAKE SURE DIAPERS ARE PLASTIC FREE. This step is very important if youu are using disposable diapers. Check to make sure that the diapers you are using do not have plastic lining the inside. Plastic traps moisture and can cause and aggrevate diaper rash. If possible switch to cloth diapers at least until the rash clears up so that baby is not enduring prolonged exposure to moisture. If you are using cloth dioapers, make sure to change them frequently.

(6) STAY CALM. DIaper rash is not your fault. It is not anyone's fault. Remember that when your baby is screaming in pain. Just stay calm and try to comfort him or her.