Diaper rash is normal and happens to a lot of babies. But it is a horrible thing because peeing and pooping is very painful for baby, and changing their diaper can make them scream. I’ve read so much about diaper rashes as well as talking to our pediatrician about it, because the last time it happened to Wagon Jr. it was really, really bad. It was so hard to get rid of, that I have since been extremely vigilant about keeping Wagon Jr.’s bottom dry and rash-free. Here is what works for us:

How to prevent diaper rash

The general idea is to keep baby’s bottom clean and dry, and use diaper cream to prevent friction on the skin.

  • Change diapers often. Don’t let baby stay in a soiled diaper, ever. This is especially important when baby is having soft poops. Change poopy diapers immediately.
  • After wiping, let baby’s bottom dry completely before applying diaper cream.
  • Always apply a thick layer of diaper cream all over the buttocks, deep into the crack, and in the creases where torso meets legs. Honestly, it doesn’t matter what diaper cream you use, as long as the primary ingredient is zinc oxide, and it’s thick and white. We use Triple Paste.
  • At night, when you know baby will probably have to sit in a soiled diaper for hours, complete all the steps above but apply several layers of diaper cream. The idea is that when you get baby in the morning, there is still at least a thin layer of cream on the skin.

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How to treat diaper rash

As soon as you see any sign of rash, start employing the technique below immediately until the skin is completely healed and back to normal. It takes a lot of effort during every diaper change, so plan to stay at home a lot and assemble your materials in a central diaper changing station.

  • Fold a small towel in half and lay on the bottom half of the changing pad. Lay baby on top and unfasten diaper. Fill a bulb syringe (the thing used to suck snot out of a newborn’s nose) with warm water and wash baby’s bottom, letting the water drip into the diaper. Use diaper or wet washcloth to clean off poop. Take the diaper out and use the towel to pat the skin dry.
  • Let baby hang out without a diaper or bottom for at least 10 minutes to make sure the skin is completely dry. I pull up the front and back of Wagon Jr’s onesie over one shoulder and snap it in place and let him walk around and play or watch TV.
  • Once skin is bone dry, position diaper under baby and apply a thin layer of Clotrimazole (over the counter cream, better known as Lotrimin. yes, athlete’s foot cream). In case yeast is involved, this ointment will kill it.
  • Now apply a thick layer of your favorite diaper rash cream. Once you’ve added a thick layer all over the buttocks, deep into the crack, and in the creases between torso and legs, add another layer. (If you think you have enough, go ahead and add another layer. The idea is to have plenty of cream so the skin never rubs against the actual diaper.) I usually have lots of cream left over on my fingers, so I smear it onto the diaper in the area where the butt will hit.
  • Put on diaper!

Has your baby ever had diaper rash? How did you treat it?