DIAPER RASH

Natural Ways to Cure a Diaper Rash - More Than Home Remedies

To get rid of diaper rash, use baby wipes or a washcloth to clean the entire area, even in skin folds. Dry the area with a hand towel or air dry. Apply Desitin diaper rash ointment, Desitin diaper rash cream, or A+D zinc oxide diaper rash cream with aloe to the entire area, not just on the rash. The rash should disappear after one or two treatments, depending on the severity of the rash.

Diaper rash does come with teething (believe mothers, not doctors, on this), but sometimes the rash is caused by acidic foods or juices. Of course, leaving baby in a wet or dirty diaper too long can cause a rash. "Poop" is especially bad, since this can start to "digest" the skin.

When diaper rash does not heal quickly with the method above, baby may actually have a yeast infection. (A baby on antibiotics or a nursing baby who's mother is on antibiotics can get a yeast infection.) For this, doctors often recommend an over-the-counter anti-yeast cream such as Lotrimin (normally used for athlete's foot), or Monistat cream (normally used for a yeast infection). But, all the labels say not to use them on a baby under two years old unless your own doctor tells you to. California Baby diaper area calming wash is made for babies and also contains anti-fungal essential oils. Although lavender and tea tree essential oils are anti-fungal, it is difficult to say just how much is safe to use for babies. So using the California Baby products seems safer than mixing your own.

If you are using Prefold Cloth Diapers, you also need to sanitize them. You can use bleach when you wash them to kill germs. Or, you can microwave them for a minute after they have been washed and dried.

Be sure not to use cornstarch baby powder with a yeast infection since yeast thrives on cornstarch.