If you have a baby who has never had diaper rash, then consider yourself lucky. Many babies get diaper rash, and for some, the problem is more severe than for others. For many babies, using a simple over-the-counter diaper cream can take away the problem in as little as a day. For other babies, however, especially those with sensitive skin, the problem may not be as easily solved.
When my son was a few weeks old, he got his first case of diaper rash. I listened to the advice of my doctor, used one diaper cream and then another, but still the rash would not go away. Soon my son started screaming every time I laid him down to change him. It broke my heart. Here’s what worked for me.
Stop Using Wipes – Many of the diaper wipes on the market today contain fragrances. Though pleasant to the nose and good at masking the stinky odor that you’ve just cleaned up, these fragrances are often a nightmare for babies’ sensitive bottoms. If your baby has a problem with diaper rash, stop using the wipes altogether until the rash clears up. Instead, use a soft baby washcloth dipped in warm water to cleanse your baby at diaper time. When the rash goes away and you do go back to wipes, look for one labeled “newborn” or “unscented” as they are usually gentler on babies’ skin. If diaper rash is a recurrent problem, you may need to stop using wipes altogether.
Creams or Powders? – This can be a tough debate. Start with a good diaper cream. If it doesn’t take the diaper rash away, try switching back and forth at diaper changes between diaper cream and a medicated powder. That should do the trick. If it doesn’t, you may need to get a prescription from the doctor.
If you’re like me, and the problem of diaper rash is one that happens again and again, hopefully these methods will work for you. Make sure to contact your pediatrician if the diaper rash doesn’t clear up within a few days.