If your baby is anything like mine, diaper changes are an adventure. Between the squirming, occasional screaming, and the sneaky poop filled diaper grabbing, you have to be on your A game for a diaper change. Add diaper rash to that and you have a sore red bum to deal with as well.
Some babies are simply more prone to diaper rash than others. My husband refers to our baby's skin as "delicate like a snowflake", but he doesn't mean it in the sweet way it sounds. He means "how does she have diaper rash again!?". While using cloth diapers can often reduce problems with rashes, a good rash prevention routine is important as well.
To keep diaper rash at bay, there are many proactive steps you can take. Keeping up on these steps can help prevent diaper rash before it starts and avoid the angry red welts that make both you and baby tear up.
One simple step you can take is eliminating regular disposable wipes from your routine. Most disposable wipes contain chemicals that can cause baby's delicate skin to dry out and become irritated. Instead, cloth wipes are soft and gentle and come in a variety of natural and synthetic fibers. Just like your cloth diapers they are washable and reusable and can be stored a variety of ways. Try storing your cloth wipes in an old disposable wipe container with water or a wipe solution. Another favorite is to store the cloth wipes dry and use a spray bottle to wet them as needed. While water alone will work, many wipe solutions contain moisturizers and essential oils to soothe babies skin.
After you've cleaned that bottom off, give it time to dry before snapping that new diaper on. A dry bum is important so that extra moisture isn't trapped on baby's skin. If baby already has diaper rash, then some good ole naked time is good for the bottom and soul. When our baby was less mobile, letting her play on a towel for a bit kept us both happy and now that she's on the move we entertain her on the kitchen tile in case there are any surprise messes.
Finding a favorite diaper cream is also an important part of diaper rash prevention and treatment. Diaper creams create a barrier on baby's bottom to protect from moisture or solids. When choosing a diaper cream to use with your cloth diapers, it's important to make sure it is cloth diaper safe. Since manufacturers have different definitions of what that is, using a reusable or disposable liner will help keep the cream off your diapers so that they don't repel. Some creams are better at prevention while others treat rash well. Try a few options to figure out what works best for your baby.
Once you have your diaper changing plan down, make sure you're doing it often enough. Excess moisture or solids sitting on your baby's skin for too long can be one of the main culprits of diaper rash.
Of course, no perfect routine will always keep rashes away and none of this advice replaces the recommendation of a doctor. Always consult your pediatrician if you suspect its a yeast rash, food reaction, or just a persistent rash that you need a little extra help treating.
Nicki's Diapers carries all of the cloth diaper accessories you may need to help prevent and treat diaper rash, not to mention all of the amazing scents of diapers creams you can try. Do you have a favorite diaper cream that you've fallen in love with? Tell us about it!
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