Ten Steps for Diaper Rash Prevention

To avoid diaper rash or at least minimize it, make it a point to follow these ten steps:

1. Change your baby's diapers as soon as they become wet or soiled.

2. Wash your hands thoroughly after changing diapers to avoid spreading germs to other babies who may need a diaper change.

3. Wipe your baby's bottom gently when using diaper wipes to avoid injuring his skin.

4. Use cloth diaper and cloth diaper wipes on your baby. They are a natural gentler choice and will allow your baby's bottom to 'breathe' better. Disposable diapers and disposable wipes contain irritating chemicals, plastics, papers, dyes, perfumes, and soaps that are not healthy for your baby's skin.

5. Allow your baby to go without a diaper for at least a few minutes each day or longer, if you can. Fresh air can do wonders on a sore and rashy bum and it can keep a healthy bum rash free!

6. Avoid using standard lotions, powders, soaps, and diaper rash creams on your baby's skin. Even salves that claim to be non-irritating, like Eucerin, contain some very irritating ingredients like petroleum and alcohol. Purchase natural skin care baby products instead. Many cloth diaper business owners sell a variety of natural skin care baby products and diaper rash salves that are much healthier than ones sold elsewhere.

7. If your baby has very sensitive skin consider diapering with organic cloth diapers which are the most pure, natural diapers available. These diapers are free of pesticides, dyes, perfumes, and chemicals.

8. Eat healthy foods, especially if you're breastfeeding, because whatever you eat may affect your baby's system and may cause your baby to get a diaper rash.

9. Nurse your baby. "Breastfeeding has been shown to lower fecal pH, which may help to protect the natural barrier function of the skin, making infections and, consequently, severe diaper rash less likely."⁶

10. Antibiotics may lead to yeast infections because they reduce "the amount of the skin's 'good' bacteria that fight infection."⁷ Therefore, if your baby is given a course of antibiotics he may be more susceptible to diaper rash. If you are breastfeeding and you are given a course of antibiotics, your baby may still get a diaper rash, so be on the look out. In the meantime, eat natural yogurt which will increase the 'good' bacteria in your stomach and fight the yeast. If your baby is eating solids and your pediatrician approves, give your baby natural yogurt as well.

Remember, prevention is the best treatment for diaper rash. You won't have to treat a rash it if it doesn't exist, so be sure to follow the steps above to keep your baby's bum as healthy as possible!