Did you know that babies pass urine almost 20 times during a day? The frequency of stool is also much more than adults. This is because babies take a little feed and as their small tummies digest it, they expel the waste products. Babies breastfeed almost every 2 hours and then they pass stool. The result is diaper rashes. Baby skin is very delicate and it is very common for them to develop diaper rashes. As it is, they can’t communicate when they get soiled and even if they cry, it takes mummies a while to decipher the reason for crying!
Children can also get diaper rashes if the diaper is too tight or if it doesn’t suit your baby’s skin. Other causes of developing diaper rash include skin allergies, yeast infection, unclean nappies and due to digestive problems. Soiled diapers and nappies leave little room for air and can cause redness, inflammation and in worst cases, they can make the skin blister. If left unclean, baby’s skin becomes red and itchy and they feel really uncomfortable. A mother cannot bear the pain of her newborn child. But the good news is that it is easy to cure a diaper rash if a little care is taken.
Also Read: Home Remedies for Cold in Babies
Here are a few home remedies to treat your baby’s diaper rash:
Breast Milk: Believe it or not, breast milk is the best diaper rash solution you can apply to your child’s skin. What could be more natural and risk-free than your own breast milk? Moreover, it is always readily available with you. Just clean the baby’s skin gently and rub a few drops of your breast milk on the skin and allow the skin to heal.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil is the best natural moisturizer. Its antimicrobial and antifungal properties make it completely safe for the baby. You can apply it as often as required.
Ghee: Another item that is always available in your pantry and is a great way to treat diaper rashes is pure desi ghee. Just ignore that smell and apply some ghee on your baby’s bottom. It has absolutely no side effects and soothes the baby’s skin immensely.
Shea Butter: Known for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal and yeast-killing properties, shea butter is extremely helpful in healing skin rashes and it also helps to improve blood circulation. Clean your baby’s skin with lukewarm water and wipe it clean with a soft wash cloth. Now apply some shea butter on it.
Yogurt: Soothe your baby’s inflamed skin with some sugar-free yogurt and see how your baby gets relieved of diaper rashes.
Points to Remember
Once you’ve cleaned your baby’s bottom, let his bottom be cloth-free. This allows the skin to get some fresh air.
Even if the diaper is not soiled, change it every 2-3 hours and give the skin some naked time to allow the skin to breathe and be dry.
Always make your baby wear a diaper according to his/her weight. A diaper that is too tight is more likely to give blisters to your munchkin’s delicate skin.
When you’re at home, make the baby wear soft cotton nappies, without any bottoms.
Tip: You can make your child be bottomless only in summers. Make him dress appropriately in winters else he’ll catch a cold.
What to do while travelling?
If you’re travelling, you might not be able to use the above-mentioned home remedies since it isn’t feasible to carry oil or ghee with you on a plane and it would be quiet awkward to squeeze some breast milk in public! Well, you can use MamaEarth Diaper Rash Cream which has been prepared with all natural ingredients and is as safe as a mother’s arm. It helps to provide instant relief from chafed skin and rashes. This zinc oxide based cream helps to soothe the irritation caused due to diapers.