Most babies will end up getting diaper rash at one time or another. Fortunately, in most cases, there is no serious harm done. Aside from some discomfort for baby, the biggest symptom is tired parents (from dealing with a fussy, uncomfortable baby). The good news, however, is that most cases of diaper rash can be prevented. Here are some things you can do to avoid diaper rash:

1. Make sure that you’re not putting her diapers on too tightly. Many cases of diaper rash are the result of diapers that are too snug around baby’s legs and bum. You should be able to comfortably insert two fingers into baby’s diaper at the legs.
2. Change diapers regularly. The most common cause of diaper rash is skin exposure to urine in the diaper. The sooner you change baby after she has wet her diaper, the better.
3. Change diaper brands if you notice diaper rash forming. Often, a change of diaper brand will help. Some babies have an allergic reaction to one brand of diaper or another.
4. Consider changing to cloth diapers. Babies diapered with cotton diapers are significantly less likely to develop diaper rash than those who are diapered with disposables. Babies in disposable diapers are a full seven times more likely to get diaper rash.
5. Allow baby to go without a diaper for a while after you clean her up. Let her bottom air out a little bit.
6. Consider using a clean washcloth with warm water instead of diaper wipes, which sometimes irritate babies’ skin.
7. Use a baby skin cream with zinc oxide.
8. Avoid using baby powders. Corn starch can create yeast problems, and talcum powder can cause respiratory problems. Additionally, powders don’t significantly reduce the chances of diaper rash.
9. Use gentle, unscented detergent for washing baby diapers and clothing.
10. For older babies, giving them cranberry juice can reduce the acidity of baby’s urine, which can reduce the chances for diaper rash.

While there is nothing you can do to completely eliminate all chances that your baby will have diaper rash, doing some or all of the suggestions listed above significantly reduces the chances that your baby will have diaper rash. If your baby does get diaper rash, following the suggestions can help reduce its duration.

Thumb sucking is such a common way for babies to comfort themselves that it’s somewhat of a cliché. Babies have been comforting themselves, quite naturally, with their thumbs since the dawn of time. There’s nothing unusual, and nothing wrong, with babies comforting themselves this way.

Pacifiers are a bit of a newer development, but they are also a great way for your baby to sooth herself. Modern pacifiers, also called soothers or dummies in some parts of the world, have been with us since about 1900. Prior to that, any number of things were used for babies to suck on, made of everything from cloth to silver or coral.

Many babies and toddlers take comfort in sucking their thumbs or pacifiers. This is completely natural, and stems from a baby’s natural instinct to suckle when he is tired, hungry, or stressed. Most infants fall to sleep suckling, and even when they are older, sucking naturally helps them to soothe them. Of course, if a baby or toddler was fed every time they needed to be soothed, it would make them sick. That’s where the pacifier or thumb comes in.

As your baby gets older, if she continues to suck her thumb or pacifier, it is nothing to worry about, at least not until preschool age. Most dentists agree that no permanent damage is done to the teeth or jaws from thumb sucking until age 4 or 5, and the overwhelming majority of children have stopped sucking their thumbs by then. Of the children who continue to suck their thumbs, studies show that the common denominator is a strong parental attempt to make them stop before they were ready to. So, unless your toddler is still sucking his thumb or pacifier after his fourth birthday, don’t worry about it. If it does continue beyond that, your pediatrician can offer some helpful tips to help him stop.

But if your baby is going to suck on something, which is better for her? Her thumb or a pacifier? There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Her thumb is right there whenever she needs it. No need to put it in her mouth for her. If you have a baby who naturally sucks their thumb, there’s no need for you to be constantly popping a pacifier in her mouth. On the other hand, children who suck their thumbs sometimes prolong the habit longer than those who use a pacifier. Maybe this is because parents can control when to take the pacifier away. Another benefit to consider about pacifiers is that recent studies have shown that giving a baby a pacifier at nap time reduces the chance of SIDS.

Ultimately, neither is harmful to your baby’s teeth as long as use is discontinued by age 4. And ultimately, your baby will choose whether she wants to suck her thumb, a pacifier, or both. Either one is a good, safe choice to help baby soothe herself.

Dealing with Colic

Every parent has heard of the dreaded colic. With an onset as early as three weeks into baby’s life, and lasting as long as three months, colic has been the cause of untold concern, not to mention loss of sleep. Generally speaking, a baby is said to have colic if she cries for three hours or more at a time, three or more times per week for at least three weeks in a month, if there are no other discernable causes for the crying. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes colic, though many believe it has to do with gas that babies have difficulty passing. One reason this is widely believed is that the crying often stops abruptly after the baby manages to pass gas or have a bowel movement. It is commonly believed that breast fed infants were less likely to have colic, but recent research calls this belief into question and appears to show similar rates of occurrence whether babies are bottle fed or breast fed.

Whatever the causes of colic, a few things are certain. It’s obviously distressing for the baby. And it’s obviously distressing for the baby’s parents or caregivers. While there are no surefire preventatives, miracle cures, or even medicines recommended for treating colic, there are some things you can try that may help your baby…and you.

•           Offer a pacifier. Sucking is one of the most natural ways for babies to self soothe. Even if you are breastfeeding, there is no harm in allowing your little one to use a pacifier to soothe herself.

•           Cuddle your baby. Sometimes the nearness, and even the body heat can help relieve a colicky baby. Swaddling can also be used, with or without cuddling.

•           Use motion. This can be as simple as rocking your baby, putting your baby in a baby swing, or taking baby for a car ride.

•           Massage your baby. This can bring relief for the pain baby is feeling. Especially massage the tummy, as this can help baby relieve gas.

•           Lay your baby on his back and gently move his feet in a “bicycle peddling” motion. This is another way to help baby release gas and may help relieve pain.

•           Give baby a warm bath. This soothes some babies.

•           Sing to baby or play soft music on a CD or MP3 player. This may help soothe baby.

Regardless of which methods you try to soothe your baby, make sure to give yourself time to relax. It won’t hurt your baby if you let someone else care for her for a few minutes, or even leave her in her crib so you can step outside and catch your breath. In taking care of baby, make sure you also take care of yourself.