Prevention is better than cure! So, let’s begin this blog with a few tips on how you can avoid a diaper rash on your baby.

Give your baby some time without the diaper before you change to a new one. Clean the diaper area with a soft cloth and use little drops of water, just a few squirts from a bottle.  You can use wipes but be gentle, don’t rub too hard.  Use a mild soap for bath and avoid rubbing, just a pat would be enough.  A frequent diaper change is one of the things that will prevent a diaper rash but just changing it isn’t enough, how you change it also plays a role.  If you are using cloth diapers make sure all the soap is rinsed out. Superabsorbent disposable diapers are the best. They help keep baby’s skin dry with minimum effort.  To avoid a rash from faeces and other irritants, use ointments that contain zinc. Zinc keeps the skin soft and provides contact with irritants. Some effective zinc-containing ointments are Triple Paste, A+D, Balmex and Desitin. P.S: After the ointment, rub a bit of petroleum jelly on it so that the ointment doesn’t get stuck on to the diaper(especially a cloth diaper).

What You Should Avoid:

         Highly fragranced products

         Fabric softeners

         Dryer sheet

         Rubber pants or synthetic clot

         Baby powder(it’s bad for the baby’s lungs)

         Cornstarch ( can increase rashes)

Do visit the paediatrician in extreme cases. Rashes can develop a fungal infection which will need medical treatment.

Some home remedies for diaper rashes:

• Coconut oil( contain antifungal & moisturising properties)
• Soothing baths( add a few tablespoons of coconut to bath water, a tablespoon of dried oatmeal or baking powder will also help)
• Homemade wipes( add a teaspoon of white vinegar to the wipe)
• Homemade diaper rash cream (¼ cup coconut oil, 2 tablespoons shea butter, vitamin capsule, 2 drops of lavender essential oil, 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder) (beeswax pastilles or fermented cod oil also are great additions)