Wednesday, 7 May 2014

TIPS ON HOW TO TREAT AND PREVENT DIAPER RASH





·        Constantly check your child to see if the diaper or nappy is wet or soiled. Change wet or soiled nappies immediately. Clean your baby’s skin preferably by washing the skin with lukewarm water, rinse the skin thoroughly and gently pat her dry with a towel, pat the skin and don’t rub as rubbing it can cause irritations. Avoid wet wipes that have alcohol in them. Check the diaper shortly after your baby falls asleep and replace it if it's wet. Babies often urinate right after falling asleep

·        Allow diaper area to dry before reapplying diaper. Let your baby’s bottom air for as long as possible every day. You can leave baby lying on an open nappy or a towel (naked from the waist down) even while he’s sleeping. Never use a blow dryer to dry a baby's bottom, because the heat may burn babies' tender skin. You can also try fastening his nappy loosely, to allow air to circulate freely. Avoid wearing your baby plastic pants


·        Use an appropriate protective cream after each diaper change. Apply a barrier cream (for example, local Shea butter ‘’Ori’’, zinc and castor oil, Vaseline jelly) with every change. Talcum-based powders aren’t recommended for nappy rash, because accidentally breathing in a puff of talcum powder can cause breathing difficulties in babies.
                  
·        There’s conflicting evidence about whether cloth or disposable nappies are better at preventing diaper rash. The most important thing is to change a wet or dirty diaper straight away. Wash, rinse and dry cloth nappies thoroughly before using them again.


·        When your child starts eating solid foods, introduce one item at a time. Waiting a few days between each introduction will make it easier to determine whether sensitivity to the food causes a diaper rash. If it does, you can eliminate that food for the time being.

·        When your child does need to take an antibiotic, ask the doctor about giving her a probiotic as well. Probiotics encourage the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, which may reduce your child's chances of getting a diaper rash.

·        If the diaper rash does not get better in a couple of days, or if it spreads onto the tummy, get advice and treatment from your doctor. 
 




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