How to Deal With Diaper Rash / Best Diaper Rash Cream

Diaper Rash is a common rash in babies. New moms may wonder how to deal with diaper rash. It can happen so easily and it’s literally a pain in the butt! According to Mayo Clinic  Diaper rash is often caused by wet diapers, infrequent diaper changes, chafing or your little one having sensitive skin. Signs of diaper rash can include irritation, redness, and fussiness during diaper changes. Although this can be an irritating time for your baby, there are some easy ways to prevent and quickly treat diaper rash.

Preventing Diaper Rash

Change Diapers Frequently

One thing you can easily do to combat diaper rash is to change your baby’s diaper more frequently. Each baby is different, so there is no specific time to change a diaper. Just keep an eye out for baby’s bathroom habits and don’t let him spend too much time in a wet diaper. The younger the baby the more frequently the diapers need to be changed. I recommend changing poopy diapers as soon as it happens. Poopy diapers can quickly result in diaper rash because of the bacteria from the bowel movement sitting against the skin. 

Use the Right Diapers

The type of diaper may matter as well when it comes to preventing diaper rash. If diaper rash is present, make sure the diapers you are using are super absorbent. This helps keep your little one dryer for longer. Overnight diapers are a good option to keep your baby dry through the night. These are my favorite overnight diapers. I’ve tried several and these are the only ones that keep him dry all night. A less expensive alternative to overnight diapers are diaper booster pads. These inserts help absorb more wetness during travel, naps and overnight.

Sensitive Skin Warning

If your baby has extremely sensitive skin, make sure the wipes you are using are hypoallergenic and fragrance free. If your baby has sensitive skin, using wipes that contain fragrance may only make the situation worse.

The More Poops the More Problems

As your baby gets older and makes larger poops or goes more frequently, cleaning with gentle soap and water will help prevent diaper rash too. Baby wipes help wipe away the mess, but its not always easy. They aren’t always as wet as you’d like and they don’t contain cleanser to wash away the all the germs and poop. If you aren’t near soap and water, you can try this non-rinse cleaner. This is what I use and it works like a charm!

Dry, Dry, Dry

Another great tip is to make sure your baby’s bottom is totally dry before putting on a fresh diaper. Putting on a diaper when your baby is still damp from wipes or a bath, only traps moisture in when you put the diaper on. Let your baby go naked whenever possible to help reduce wetness. This gives the baby room to breathe and time will allow your baby’s bottom to air dry.

Diaper Rash Treatment

To prevent chafing and decrease the risk for diaper rash, put on diaper ointment or cream after each diaper change. Diaper ointment acts as a barrier to protect your little one’s bum!

Ointments & Creams 

A&D Ointment – It’s great for everyday use. It contains lanolin and petroleum. I use this several times a day to help prevent diaper rash. It goes on easy and smooth. The only drawback, is that it has an “ointment” smell. Nonetheless, it gets the job done and is fairly inexpensive. Throughout the day, I use a thin layer, but for bedtime I use a much thicker application. 

White Petroleum  –  Pure baby petroleum jelly is another favorite of mine. It’s 100% pure white petroleum. The consistency is a little thinner than the A&D and it has no scent. As with the A&D, I recommend applying a thick layer for bedtime. They both act as a barrier to protect skin and seal out wetness. Overall, I like the A&D better because it has lanolin. However, the petroleum jelly can be used to moisturize baby skin, so that is a bonus.

For active baby rash I recommend Desitin Maximum Strength which is zinc oxide diaper rash paste. I think this is great if you see any type of diaper rash developing or for overnight use. Compared to the others, this is a thick white cream/paste. It is so thick because it is maximum strength. This is a messier application, but it is worth it to clear up a bothersome rash in no time. If this is too messy for you, you can use a diaper rash applicator. 

There are many additional ways to deal with diaper rash.

If you know some other methods or have favorite diaper rash products, please share it with us in the comment section.

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