There is nothing fun about diaper rashes. They seemingly come out of nowhere and are so confusing to figure out. Plus, it is just awful to see your little one so uncomfortable. We’ve got some tips for you to help prevent and treat their sore little behinds. Plus a breakdown of some of the best diaper rash cream out there. Hopefully making this whole experience a little easier.
How to Avoid a Diaper Rash
Of course, the best diaper rash cream helps with diaper rash, but ideally, we would like to avoid diaper rashes altogether. Don’t be too hard on yourself if your baby does ever develop a diaper rash, I know mamas have a tendency to do that but this is something all babies go through.
Trust me, all five of my kids got a diaper rash. It literally can be caused by a ton of different things from a change in food to a reaction to antibiotics. There are some simple rules of thumb to help you stay away from rashes as long as possible, though.
Keep the Bum Dry
You probably feel like you’ve changed a million diapers since you became a mom, so it won’t really come as a shock to you that doctors recommend changing your baby very frequently and quickly after they become wet. This is the best way to combat a diaper rash.
Watch Closely When New Foods are Introduced
New foods are a likely cause for your baby to suddenly start developing diaper rashes. When you change their foods, their poo changes too, and these changes can be an irritation to their skin.
If you only introduce one new food at a time, you will know what is causing the rash and can proceed accordingly.
Breastfeed as Long as Possible
No one actually has a clear answer to why this is true, but many people say babies who are breastfed longer tend to have fewer diaper rashes. It’s a nice little perk to add to the never-ending list of breastfeeding benefits.
Make Sure You Clean Well
It’s really important to clean your baby’s bum and the genital area thoroughly during every change. You don’t want anything yucky sitting against their skin for too long.
Make sure you are using wipes with just water on them, no chemicals or fragrances, to do this and that you pat them completely dry in the end.
Don’t Secure the Diaper Too Tight
The key to diapers is not too loose but not too tight, which makes perfection seem unachievable. You obviously do not want your diaper leaking, yet you want enough air to be able to circulate through to keep everything down there healthy.
Check your Detergent
If you use cloth diapers, make sure the detergent you use is not causing your baby’s skin to become irritated. You might want to add an extra rinse cycle with no soap to the end of your wash routine.
Probiotics vs Antibiotics
Antibiotics are another culprit for giving your baby a diaper rash because they kill off good bacteria meant to keep yeast in balance. Speak to your doctor about a way to counteract this and see if probiotics might be an option.
How To Treat Diaper Rashes
- Find a diaper cream/ointment that soothes your baby’s skin well and acts as a barrier between their skin and the diaper. We’ve listed some of the top mom picks below for you!
- Keep your kiddo extra dry and extra clean. This means you will need to be changing their diaper more frequently.
- Wash their bottom with water at each diaper change.
- Pat their skin dry as opposed to rubbing. Make sure they are completely dry.
- Put their diaper on a little looser than you typically would to let air circulate as much as possible.
- If you live in a warm climate or it’s summertime, implement some diaper-free time where your kiddo can play in the backyard. The sunshine and the air will help the rash clear up quicker.
The Best Diaper Rash Cream
Boudreaux’s Butt Paste
Let’s start with my personal favorite on the list of best diaper rash creams. I used Boudreaux’s Butt Paste on my last three kiddos. We know butt paste does not sound too appealing, but this product works like magic.
It was developed by a pharmacist who had kids of his own and he only used six ingredients! It’s pretty sticky, so it’s a great option for wiggle babies or diaper change protesters because you can get it on before they escape.
Angel Baby Bottom Balm
This is one of the most highly reviewed diaper creams out there because it is all-natural and still works amazing. It is also one of the best options for those of you who use cloth diapers because the ingredients will easily wash out of the diapers and keep them from being ruined.
The ingredients that make this balm work so well are actually herbs with antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment (Best diaper cream for those with allergies!)
Tubby Todd is the best diaper cream for those with allergies. This diaper ointment is made specifically for babies with sensitive skin and is completely natural, so it should not cause any extra irritation to your baby with a diaper rash.
It has a creamy texture instead of greasy, which we can all agree is more pleasant to use. With soothing ingredients like jojoba, honeysuckle, and beeswax it can be used on cuts, cradle cap, and rough patches along with diaper rashes.
GroVia Magic Stick
That’s right this diaper rash cream comes in stick form, like a roll-on deodorant. It might just be the easiest to apply out of all the creams listed here. On top of that, it is also all-natural and does a great job of keeping wetness away from your baby’s skin.
Burt’s Bees Diaper Rash Ointment
I’ve always loved the smell and effectiveness of other Burt’s Bees products which led me to find this diaper rash ointment. This is one of the best ointments to use if you have a very young infant that gets a diaper rash. All the ingredients are fairly gentle and 100% natural.
Cetaphil Baby Diaper Cream with Calendula
This diaper cream is primarily made of zinc oxide, which works as a great barrier to protect your baby’s bum. It was made by dermatologists to be hypoallergenic, so it doesn’t contain fragrances or dyes that might cause further irritation.
The calendula ingredient along with some other vitamins are meant to help soothe your baby and make them more comfortable.
When Should You Worry?
It really sucks when you open that diaper and see a rash, but it is not cause for immediate panic. They are fairly common meaning all moms will have to deal with them at one point or another. Plus, they will probably just clear up on their own with some time.
That being said, it’s still really important to educate yourself and take in all the diaper rash tips you can get. When you have followed all the advice for treating the rash at home for 2 to 3 days and it still hasn’t gone away, you should consider speaking with your pediatrician and setting up an appointment.
This is especially true if the rash seems to be continuously getting worse. You also should call your doctor if the rash begins to spread to other places of the body or if pimples/bumps/sores develop on the affected area.
The doctor will then be able to diagnose if there is something more going on than just a rash and help you get the treatment you need to get your baby’s bum back to normal.
Have a favorite that is not on our list of Best Diaper Rash Cream? Comment below and let us know.
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Pin for Later – How to avoid Diaper Rash + Best Diaper Rash Cream
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