Managing a Diaper Rash

It's next to impossible to raise a baby without dealing with diaper rash occasionally. Diaper rashes can range from a slightly red area to a bleeding, infected problem. As a mother of ten, I've found a few ways to deal with diaper rash before it gets too bad.

First off, consider what is causing the rash. If you use disposable diapers, sometimes the baby is allergic to something the diaper is made from. Switching diaper brands is all that is needed.

If you are using cloth diapers, the problem may be the soap you are using to wash the diaper. Try switching soaps and see if that helps.

Another thing to consider what could be causing the rash. Are you changing baby often enough? Urine and feces on the skin is easily the cause of a diaper rash. Sometimes the baby will eat something he is allergic to that makes the urine or bowel movement irritate his skin. Change the baby frequently during these times to keep his skin as clean as possible.

But when you are faced with a chapped, sore little fanny, there are things you can do to ease the pain of cleaning baby:

Try not to use store bought diaper wipes. These are expensive even if they are convenient. They often contain ingredients that will further irritate baby's skin. Keep a roll of toilet paper on the changing table, and wipe baby with that first, then use a warm wet washcloth.

If baby's skin is sore, squirt the diaper area with baby oil, then wipe clean. The oil will help the cleaning wipe glide over the skin rather than rub it. It will also coat the skin and help protect it with the next soiled diaper.

If the skin is really sore, don't wipe baby at all, but let him play in a warm bath until the area is clean. I've done this many time. If the baby has a bowel movement, I will leave the stopper out of the tub and just let the baby play in the water until he is clean. Be sure and stay in the bathroom with the baby and keep him safe from standing in the tub or falling over into the water. I've had a lot of success with this method.

Lastly, find a good ointment to coat baby's fanny with before you put a fresh diaper on. There are many different ones to try on the market. These will help ease the area between changes, and help heal the rash quicker.

Diaper rashes are manageable and don't mean you are a bad parent. Just keep baby clean, watch his diet, and keep rashes to a minimum.