Parenting Advice for Babies
All babies will eventually experience a bad case of diaper rash. This condition is very irritating and uncomfortable for children. Parents feel helpless as they watch their little ones suffer. Here are some parenting tips for babies that should help parents to help their kids.
What Causes Diaper Rash?
Diaper rash is common in babies with sensitive skin. From the time they are born, even the slightest soiled diaper will cause the skin to chafe.
Food allergy is another common reason for a rash. If the baby eats and then eliminates a food that he is allergic too, his/her skin will tend to break out.
More commonly, sitting too long in a messy or wet diaper will result in a rash. And, interestingly, some have noticed increased diaper rash when a baby is teething. Perhaps all that drooling results in looser stools.
Another possibility is a sensitivity to the brand of diaper or baby wipe.
Whatever the reason, a quick call to the pediatrician is in order - especially if the baby is very young. If the rash is severe then the doctor may want to examine the baby as well.
How To Treat the Symptoms of Diaper Rash
Assuming that the rash is “normal”, according to the pediatrician - the first line of defense is to change the baby’s diaper often to keep the affected area dry. At the slightest hint of wetness or stools - make a change. It may feel wasteful or unneccessary if using disposables but the skin will heal quicker and there will be less discomfort to the child.
Airtime is also important. Leave the baby bare bottomed for as long as you can. This is a bit of a danger zone, since babies have not yet gone through the potty training process, but it is effective.
Before putting on a new diaper, generously apply an over the counter diaper rash creme to create a barrier between the skin and the diaper. When the baby wets the fresh diaper this creme will act to protect the skin for a short time until a change is made.
The best method to heal baby's skin is to keep it dry. After all happy babies make happy mommies!