Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash

By Isadora Fox
It's practically a parental rite of passage: opening your baby's diaper and seeing his sweet little bottom covered in red splotches. Welcome to the world of diaper rash. Before you start questioning your parenting skills (or running to the emergency room), remember that the rash is harmless if treated. Most babies get a diaper rash at some point but won't continue to get it once they're toilet trained.
Start Slideshow

1 of 9

What Causes Diaper Rash?

Fancy Photography/ Veer

When urine and stool are pressed against the skin, they break down its protective barrier, resulting in an angry-looking rash. Some untreated diaper rashes progress to yeast infections; yeast thrives in warm, moist, dark environments. Fortunately, a diaper rash is usually simple to prevent and treat.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 9

Change Baby Often

StockDisc

Change Baby's diaper often (eight to 10 times a day is normal).

3 of 9

Advertisement

4 of 9

Wash Baby's Hiney

BananaStock/ Jupiter

Thoroughly clean and air-dry the diaper area at each changing. Sometimes sitting Baby in a few inches of lukewarm water does the best job.

5 of 9

Not Too Tight!

BananaStock/ Jupiter

Make sure that diapers aren't fastened too tightly.

6 of 9

Moisturize

PhotoAlto/ Veer

Use a barrier cream on Baby's bottom to protect skin from urine and stool.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 9

Air Time

Fancy Photography/ Veer

Expose Baby's bare bottom to air for some naked time whenever you can.

8 of 9

Consult a Pediatrician

Lara Robby

If the rash is persistent, see your doctor. It could be a stubborn yeast infection that might require a medicated cream.

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Popular in Diaper Rash

All Topics in Diaper Rash

Advertisement