How to Cure Diaper Rash

THE THINGS YOU DO TO CURE DIAPER RASH:

Here’s the list. More details in a minute.

1. Change that diaper as soon as it is wet. Yes, every single time.
2. Use only water wipes to cleanse the skin. Not “regular” and not even “sensitive.” Rub as little as possible, and as gently as possible. Be patient and clean thoroughly.
3. Allow skin to become completely dry before applying treatment. Be patient. Wait a minute,  gently press a clean dry cloth or paper towel on the skin, fan the area, get it nice and dry. 
4. Apply a liberal layer of protection to the clean dry skin. Be generous with these barrier creams. A light layer really doesn’t adequately do the job.
5. Allow some diaper-free time. Terrifying, I know. But exposure to air is very helpful to the skin when it’s trying to heal. Light and oxygen just help. Put the baby on a towel, or one of those big absorbent bed pads. Tummy time, or back time, with mom right there watching closely for the next “event.” Even ten minutes of this a few times a day may speed healing.  

THE THINGS YOU USE TO CURE DIAPER RASH:

1.  Disposable diapers. It’s true that cloth diapers are superior and better for the environment. But disposables do have two advantages. They pull moisture away from the skin. They also allow you to use any cream you desire. And unfortunately, cloth diapers have restrictions on compatible products. If you’re a cloth diaper user, you don’t have to break up with your cloth diapers. Just use the disposables until the rash is gone.
2. Water Wipes. A definite improvement over ordinary baby wipes to cleanse the skin. No chemicals, just gentle moist wipes. Also, using a wipe warmer may seem like a luxury but it sure is a nice thing to do for a miserable baby.
3. Resinol Ointment. This is a cream that contains both an analgesic (pain reliever) and a barrier. (It’s pink.)  Smear a generous amount over all the irritated skin. Then follow with a heavier barrier cream.
4. Zinc Oxide cream. This is the thick white cream you know as Desitin, Triple Paste, Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, Aquaphor, A&D, and Honest. Smear this right over the pink Resinol to form a second layer. How thick? Like frosting a cake. Really. 

And when you’re shopping for diaper rash cream, make sure to find the variety that contains zinc oxide because these brands carry many different versions of their creams and ointments. They’re all good, and serve different purposes. But the ingredients do vary, and you’re looking for the zinc oxide to form that protective barrier.

Several “Max Strength” diaper rash creams like Aquaphor Fast Relief Diaper Rash Cream contain 40% zinc oxide. Go for that 40%.  Others may contain a lesser percentage.

People also recommend Vaseline, clear ointments, Crisco, lanolin, and other items. And there’s nothing wrong with them. In fact, if you’re more comfortable with them, by all means give them a try. Most products for diaper rash contain petrolatum (Vaseline) so you’re not wrong!

I’m giving you the names of these items in case you’re in a get-it-now kind of place.  I wasn’t able to find an alternative for the Water Wipes or the Resinol, but use the diapers and cream you prefer. 

Some moms love the “applicators”, a kind of soft silicone utensil to apply the cream. Here’s one: Baby Bum Brush.

Additionally you’ll find remedies like breast milk and yogurt that moms promise will cure. And maybe they do! The important thing is to be consistent and watch for improvement.

Smart Quote: If what you’re doing isn’t working, change what you’re doing. 

Diaper Size

Here’s something else: Make sure you’re moving up in diaper sizes.  There’s an overlapping weight range for each size, so as soon as your baby gets within a couple of pounds of the maximum on the current size, or to the lower weight on the next size, move up. A too-tight diaper can be very confining and irritating to tender skin.

Monitor for clues about readiness by looking for marks on the baby’s skin from elastic or other tight areas. If the front and back tabs are “barely” connecting at the sides, it’s time to move up. Those stick-on tabs should be over the baby’s belly. They don’t have to meet, but also should not be too far apart. 

There are actually plenty of tips for sizing diapers online, from the manufacturers and others. 

And don’t worry about leaving a few diapers behind in that size. (Why do we have that, the feeling we must use every single diaper in the box, even if they don’t fit?) You’ll give them with a shower gift, or use them for your next baby!

Cleansing irritated skin

Looking at that tender skin can really get you sad. You’ll want to shy away from getting the skin completely clean just to avoid discomfort for your baby.

If you’re cringing at getting your baby’s skin clean, consider this method: Place a clean diaper under the baby and use a squeeze (squirt) bottle to irrigate the area with clean warm water. The diaper will collect the water as it runs off.  It’s still not going to be a perfect process, but could reduce the need to wipe so much.

Remember peri bottles anyone? Bet you can find yours.

If you like that idea, consider purchasing Saline Wound Wash. An amazing irrigation product, The small amount of salt in the solution actually keeps it from stinging! (This works great for washing skinned knees, too!)