Diaper Rash Prevention Tips

Almost every baby will experience a diaper rash at least one time before age 3, with the majority of rashes occurring between 9-12 months. Diaper Rash or “diaper dermatitis” is a term used to refer to all rashes that appear on the diapered area of a baby’s skin. Diaper rash is usually caused by the friction of a diaper rubbing back and forth across a baby’s skin during prolonged exposure to the moisture of urine and stools.

Most diaper rashes are minor and can usually be resolved easily with simple home remedies in just a few days. However, diaper rashes do damage skin and make it susceptible to bacteria and yeast. If your baby’s rash does not improve with home remedies or worsens, contact your doctor.

5 Ways to Minimize or Prevent Diaper Rash

  1. Change wet diapers frequently. A dry bottom is a healthy bottom. Change newborn diapers every two hours. Once your baby begins to urinate less frequently, you can space diaper changes out accordingly.
  2. Watch out for “battery acid” poops! Change poopy diapers right way. Your baby’s skin is no match for the naturally irritating substances in poop! Anything in your baby’s food that alters the pH balance (acidity) of her stools can cause her poops to burn and sting her skin.
  3. Wipe well with unscented wipes or plain water. Consider using cloth wipes and making your own baby wipe solution. We recommend this Lusa Organics Recipe.
  4. Use natural, cloth diaper safe oils to protect sensitive bottoms. We love the natural and essential oils found in Lusa Organics Booty Balm.
  5. Air it out! Indulge your little one in some “diaper-free” time. Lay your baby on a towel (with a waterproof pad underneath) with his bottom up. This is a great way to help dry out a rash.

Keep calm and cloth diaper on!

What in disposables diapers can lead to more rashes?

  1. The lack of airflow in tight-fitting disposables. Skin needs to breathe to stay healthy.
  2. The chemicals in disposables. The super absorbent polymers (SAPs) in disposables hold in moisture and heat, two factors that cause bacteria and yeast to grow. SAPs are also known to cause skin irritation.
  3. Babies wearing disposables aren’t changed until the diaper is “full”. Because the SAPs in disposables are so effective at holding urine, babies wearing disposables are changed less often than cloth diapered babies.

To learn more, check out this article by the Real Diaper Association: Diaper Rash: Comparing Diaper Choices