Diaper rash is a very common baby ailment. It is generally caused by moisture next to the skin and results in a pink or red rash around baby’s bum that is usually very sore and sensitive. As a parent it can be difficult to watch your baby deal with diaper rash, but there are some things you can do to take care of the problem.

Perhaps the best thing you can do to get rid of diaper rash is to switch to cloth diapers. While cloth diapers have somewhat of a stigma for being inconvenient, there have been changes made which make them nearly as convenient as disposables for most people. More importantly, babies in cloth diapers are significantly less likely to contract a diaper rash.

Studies have shown that babies in disposable diapers are a full seven times more likely to get diaper rash than those in cotton diapers. The reason, quite simply, is that the cotton cloth is more breathable than plastic diapers.

If you do choose to use disposable diapers, consider using the paper based kind instead of plastic diapers. While these don’t breathe as well as cotton cloth diapers, they are significantly better than plastic disposables and are less likely to cause diaper rash.

Regardless of what kind of diapers you use, make sure you are changing your baby often. Ordinarily, you should change a diaper every 3 hours, or every time your baby has a bowel movement, but when your baby has diaper rash you will want to change her more often.

Many disposable diapers advertise that they are able to hold more moisture without leaking. This is fine, but it’s still not a good idea to leave a baby in a wet diaper. Babies who wear a diaper for too long after wetting often contract diaper rash. On top of that, it just isn’t sanitary. Once you’re aware that your baby has peed or pooped in her diaper, go ahead and change her. Yes, it will cost you more in diapers, but your baby will be less likely to get a diaper rash.

If your baby does get a diaper rash, use a diaper rash ointment with zinc oxide. This will soothe her skin and help get rid of the rash at the same time. You also might consider letting baby lie naked for a little while between diaper changer so her bottom can air out.

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