Parenting Advice for Babies
Most babies will, at some point in time, experience a case of diaper rash. This condition is very irritating and uncomfortable for children. Watching the little ones suffer makes parents feel helpless. 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 in a soiled diaper for too long will result in a rash. And, oddly enough, teething can result in diaper rash as well. Increased drooling may cause looser stools which in turn leads to a rash.
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 Skin That is Irritated by Diaper Rash
If the doctor determines that the rash is "normal" then the first step is to keep the diaper area fresh, clean, and dry. At the slightest hint of wetness or stools - make a change. This may seem a bit wasteful and unneccessary but it is essential for the skin to heal quickly and for the comfort of baby.
Allowing the skin to breathe in the open air is also important - yes, this means no diaper time. 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.
At each diaper change, liberally apply a diaper rash creme that can be found "over the counter" to make a barrier layer between the diaper and the skin. 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 goal is to keep the baby's skin as dry as possible to heal the skin. We all know that happy babies equal happy mommies!
