Sep
7
Prevent Baby Diaper Rash
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Diaper rash is an ailment that parents have been battling for decades. However, diaper rash isn’t always just a result of a baby wearing a wet diaper too long. Diaper rash can also develop from introducing new foods into your baby’s diet as well as be related to the type of laundry detergent you use.
The Main Causes of Diaper Rash
The main culprit in diaper rash development is simply wetness. Although today’s diapers are designed to absorb liquid and keep it away from the body, all diapers leave some moisture on the baby’s skin. When you leave your baby in a dirty diaper for too long, the baby is likely to develop a rash. However, many babies have very sensitive skin and can develop a diaper rash even if their parents are very diligent about changing their diapers.
Other common culprits in diaper rash is chafing and sensitivity. This is when the diaper rubs against the baby’s skin too much and creates a rash. Disposable diapers that have chemicals or additives in them can also cause chafing and diaper rash. However, a baby can develop diaper rash from cloth diapers if they are sensitive to the type of laundry detergent that you use. Babies have also been known to develop rashes from powders and lotions as well.
Another cause of diaper rash is introducing new foods into the diet. When babies begin eating solid foods, it is common for diaper rash to appear. This is due to the fact that the composition of the baby’s stool has changed and the baby’s bowel movements increase. The body is not always prepared for these changes and a diaper rash may occur. Additionally, breastfeeding mothers can influence a change in the body due to the types of foods they are eating, which may also cause diaper rash to occur.
Finally, a skin yeast infection is a cause of diaper rash. Because the area is moist and warm, bacteria and yeast often flourish in the diaper area creating a diaper rash. These rashes tend to occur in your baby’s skin folds and cracks.
Preventing Diaper Rash
The best prevention for diaper rash is simply keeping the baby’s bottom as dry as possible. This means changing your baby’s diapers as soon as they become spoiled.
Cleanliness also plays a large part in preventing diaper rash. Thoroughly clean your baby’s genital area after each and every diaper change. Gently pat the skin dry rather than rub it.
Use a thin layer of protective ointment after each and every diaper change if your baby seems to be prone to developing diaper rash. Plain petroleum jelly is a convenient and affordable option. You can also use a paste that include petroleum ointment and white zinc oxide, which is particularly good for very sensitive skin.
Use a cornstarch-based powder to help dry your baby’s skin. Always place the powder on your hands rather than shake it directly on the baby, as you don’t want your baby to breathe it in. Always clean off any leftover powder in the baby’s skin folds after each and every diaper change and before applying more.
Introduce solid foods once new item at a time. This will help the body adjust and you will be able to determine if certain foods are causing a diaper rash. Once you recognize that one food may be causing problems, you can eliminate it from the diet for the time being.
Don’t secure your baby’s diapers too tightly, as they do need air flow to keep the skin as dry as possible. Avoid plastic pants and airtight fabrics that don’t always the baby’s skin to breathe.
Finally, if you’re using cloth diapers, do not use detergents that use fragrances. You should also avoid using a fabric softener. Use hot water and double rinse the diapers to ensure that detergent is not left in the fabric. You can also add a cup of vinegar to the first rinse to help eliminate any irritants that may be left in the diaper fabric.
Sep
7
Options in Baby Diapers
Filed Under Tips: Baby Diapers | Leave a Comment
Whether you’re having your first baby or your fifth baby, there are several options available in baby diapers and these options seem to change each year as the “technology” behind baby diapers continues to change. As a new parent, you can test out several of these options by utilizing Pampers coupons and other Huggies coupons so you can try out different brands at a reduced cost.
When it comes to diapers, parents have two options:
- Disposable diapers
- Cloth diapers
Disposable Diapers
Disposable diapers come in a variety of different brand names and were first introduced to parents in 1961 when the Proctor and Gamble Company introduced “Pampers.” The disposable diaper quickly transformed to improve performance for mothers and was offered in two different sizes for different sized babies. However, the first Pampers were not very breathable as they were created to be waterproof as well. This meant that many babies would have allergic reactions or were prone to more diaper rash because the air flow was significantly reduced. Many mothers would continue to use cloth diapers as a result.
Today, disposable diapers have come a long way and don’t have the same types of issues that the first few versions of disposable diapers had. Today’s disposable diapers are more cloth-like rather than plastic and feature a new fiber that pulls the liquid away from the body to prevent diaper rash. They also may contain several other features such as aloe vera, skin conditioners, wetness indicators and even glow in the dark tapes.
One issue that some parents have run into is that their babies are allergic to some of these “extras.” For instance, a child may be allergic to Huggies, while Pampers or even generic store brands do not cause a reaction. Because of this, parents often have to find the best disposable diaper simply by trial and error with their child. This is where diaper coupons come in handy, because you can try out several different brands without paying full price!
Environmentally Friendly Disposable Diapers
With more and more families going “green,” many parents are looking for the convenience of the disposable diaper, but they also want to stay environmentally friendly. In 2000, a company named Absormex introduced the first bio-degradable diaper. These diapers are capable of degrading without being exposed to light; this means that it is capable of degrading in even the worst kept landfills. The diaper degrades completely within a month after being exposed to the outdoors. These diapers are an ideal option for the environmentally conscious family.
Cloth Diapers
Aside from the many options available in disposable diapers today, parents still have the option of using the traditional cloth diaper. The cloth diaper dates back to the 1940’s when grandmothers traditionally taught their daughters the art of diaper folding. The cloth diaper is made of an absorbent cotton material.
The main benefit of cloth diapers is that they are reusable and washable; therefore being environmentally friendly, as well as they can serve other uses later in their life, such as functioning as a burp cloth or even cleaning rag. They are also very breathable, so children who are prone to diaper rashes from disposable diapers tend to do well with cloth diapers as they allow proper airflow.
The main downside to these diapers is that they don’t utilize the super-absorbent technology that you find in today’s disposable diapers and your child will need an almost immediate diaper change after soiling their diaper. Although, there are diaper covers created to help reduce leakage associated with cloth diapers.
As a new parent or even an experienced one, you’ll find that there are numerous options available to you in terms of diapers, whether you choose to utilize traditional disposable diapers, biodegradable diapers or cloth diapers. Many parents choose to use a combination of all three.