Babies don’t get cranky for nothing, not even the seemingly bothersome ones. Babies actually love to be happy, occupied and talked to. So if you’re doing all those things and you still have a cranky infant in your arms, just have a quick peek at the diaper area and rule out the devilish ‘diaper’ rash.
Diaper rash doesn't always look the same but if your baby's diaper area looks irritated and red, chances are baby has it. The skin may also be a little puffy and warm when you touch it, which could be indicative of an infection. The level of discomfort it puts the child in, can be very disturbing.
The most common cause for diaper rash is leaving your baby in a soiled diaper for too long. If you are using a disposable diaper there could be friction from the diaper combined with bacteria laden moisture, never a good combination!
The plastic that prevents diapers from leaking also prevents air circulation, thus creating a warm, moist environment where rashes and fungi can thrive actively.
This environment is ideal for a rash to develop and it happens pretty quickly. Sadly for baby, it takes time to ease as well, since like all babies do, the process of poop and pee continue through the day.
A few other reasons for Diaper rash include a change in diet, which causes a change in the chemical composition of what the baby expels during the day. The detergent used to wash the diapers (in the case of cloth) can cause irritation and in sick babies, if they are on antibiotics, that will disturb the stomach flora and encourage the breeding of infectious bacteria.
The best way to prevent diaper rash is by keeping your baby's skin as dry and clean as possible and changing diapers often so that faeces and urine don’t irritate the skin.
Few handy tips for rash avoidance:
- Check your baby’s diaper hourly and look for signs of discomfort.
- Change soiled or wet diapers as soon as possible and clean the area thoroughly with unscented wipes or water.
- Gently wash your baby’s bottom with warm water between diaper changes.
- Let your baby's skin dry completely before you put on a new diaper.
- Pat the skin dry, do not rub as that can lead to irritation
- If you use cloth diapers, rinse them several times after washing to remove any traces of soap or detergent that can irritate your baby's skin.
- Follow the washing instructions that come with your cloth diapers. Don’t use fabric softeners or detergents with chemical additives.
Diaper rash doesn't always look the same but if your baby's diaper area looks irritated and red, chances are baby has it. The skin may also be a little puffy and warm when you touch it, which could be indicative of an infection. The level of discomfort it puts the child in, can be very disturbing.
Why Does Diaper Rash Occur
The most common cause for diaper rash is leaving your baby in a soiled diaper for too long. If you are using a disposable diaper there could be friction from the diaper combined with bacteria laden moisture, never a good combination!
The plastic that prevents diapers from leaking also prevents air circulation, thus creating a warm, moist environment where rashes and fungi can thrive actively.
This environment is ideal for a rash to develop and it happens pretty quickly. Sadly for baby, it takes time to ease as well, since like all babies do, the process of poop and pee continue through the day.
A few other reasons for Diaper rash include a change in diet, which causes a change in the chemical composition of what the baby expels during the day. The detergent used to wash the diapers (in the case of cloth) can cause irritation and in sick babies, if they are on antibiotics, that will disturb the stomach flora and encourage the breeding of infectious bacteria.
How to Prevent Nappy or Diaper Rash
The best way to prevent diaper rash is by keeping your baby's skin as dry and clean as possible and changing diapers often so that faeces and urine don’t irritate the skin.
Few handy tips for rash avoidance:
- Check your baby’s diaper hourly and look for signs of discomfort.
- Change soiled or wet diapers as soon as possible and clean the area thoroughly with unscented wipes or water.
- Gently wash your baby’s bottom with warm water between diaper changes.
- Let your baby's skin dry completely before you put on a new diaper.
- Pat the skin dry, do not rub as that can lead to irritation
- If you use cloth diapers, rinse them several times after washing to remove any traces of soap or detergent that can irritate your baby's skin.
- Follow the washing instructions that come with your cloth diapers. Don’t use fabric softeners or detergents with chemical additives.
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