A lot of babies experience nappy rash, it’s a very common condition but if left untreated it can lead to more serious issues like an infection. A nappy rash can also unfortunately make babies irritable and uncomfortable. The good news is, it’s actually pretty simple to avoid nappy rash if you follow the 3 simple steps below:
- Clean with water and avoid irritants
Baby’s soft skin can be sensitive that’s why it is best to avoid any wipes or soaps that contain harsh ingredients and other irritants. Most baby wipes contain unnecessary chemicals or fragrances that can irritate baby’s skin. Using just a baby wipe to clean your baby’s bottom is also not the best solution especially if baby had an explosive poo. Cleaning with plain water and the Baby Bum Shower is the best as water can thoroughly clean your baby’s bum without the need for soap plus it’s cheaper. Use cotton wool or a piece of cloth when cleaning baby’s bum with water. Another option is to add a small amount of neutral pH balanced emollient based wash to the water before you use it to clean baby after a pee or a messy poo situation.
- Protect with a barrier cream with zinc oxide
Aside from keeping your baby’s skin clean using water, it is also very important to keep it dry. A barrier cream with zinc oxide can help to prevent the wee or poo from coming in contact with baby’s skin hence keeping it dry. Put a thick nappy cream or barrier cream after each nappy change to ensure your baby’s skin is protected. Choose a nappy cream that has natural ingredients with an adequate percentage of zinc oxide.
- Change baby’s nappy often
The number one culprit for a nappy rash is usually a wet or dirty nappy that has been left on baby’s bum for a long time hence it’s very important to keep checking your baby’s nappy if they had a poo or if it’s already soiled with pee and replace it immediately. If you are using a disposable nappy, always check the wetness indicator and change the nappy once it has changed in colour. If you are cloth diapering, you may need to change the nappy more frequently as cloth diapers are often not as absorbent as their disposable counterparts. It’s also a good idea to use a nappy liner to act as a barrier between your baby’s bum and the wet nappy.
So that’s it. 3 simple steps; keep baby’s skin clean, dry and protect it. If you follow all these, your baby won’t have to suffer a nasty nappy rash.