Nappy rash
Almost all babies will get a nappy rash at some stage but it is most common between 9-12 months of age. If you unwrap your baby's diapers and see red patches on the baby's bottom, or the whole area is red, then your baby has a nappy rash. The skin may look sore and feel hot to touch, and there may be spots, pimples or blisters.
Nappy rashes can be caused by prolonged contact with urine or stool, sensitive skin, rubbing or chafing, soap, detergent or bubble bath, baby wipes, not rinsing cloth nappies after washing to get rid of soap, detergents, diarrhoea or other illness.
The best way to deal with nappy rash is to try to prevent your baby getting it in the first place. These simple steps will help –
Change wet or soiled nappies as soon as possible. Young babies need changing as many as 10 or 12 times a day; older babies at least 6 to 8 times.
Clean the whole nappy area thoroughly, wiping from front to back. Baby wipes are great but nothing is better than plain water.
Although cloth nappies do not take up moisture as well as disposable ones, they are still the better option because they allow the skin to breathe.
Lie your baby on an oil cloth (even plain plastic sheet will do) with a towel on top and leave the nappy off for as long and as often as you can to let his/her skin to breathe. Try to let your child have as much of “no nappy” time as possible.
Use a barrier cream, such as zinc, white soft paraffin or castor oil.
Do not use powder on a nappy rash.
Do not use tight-fitted plastic pants over nappies.
If your baby gets a nappy rash you can treat it with a nappy rash cream. If the rash doesn't go away or your baby develops a persistent bright red, moist rash with white or red pimples, which spreads to the folds of the skin, they may have a thrush infection. You'll need to use an antifungal cream, so ask your baby's pediatrician for a prescription. Never use antiseptics on a nappy rash.
Benefits of cloth nappies
Although disposable nappies are more convenient for mums and dads and hold more moisture, traditional cloth and reusable nappies are better options for your child. The super-absorbency granules, paper pulp, adhesives and plastics in disposable diapers irritate your baby's skin and cause the rash. The cloth nappies are mostly made of natural fabrics.
Cloth nappies are soft and comfortable to wear. Evidence has shown that babies wearing cloth nappies tend to potty train faster as they know what it feels like to have a wet nappy, so can connect this to going for a weewee.
The disposable nappies increase boys' scrotal skin temperature impairing and, in some cases, completely abolishing, the body's normal scrotal cooling mechanism. Scientists theorised that this increase in temperature may be contributing to the decline in male reproductive health (sperm count) in recent generations. More research needs to be done to confirm the theory, but again, why take the risk?
If possible, get your baby into a habit right after birth to have a couple of hours of no diaper time. Mornings are a great time to give your baby a nice oil massage and lay him/her on a mat for some natural sunbathing. You can leave your baby nappy free or at most with a cloth diaper during this time. This will get him/her into the habit of not having nappies all the time and also allow for the skin to breathe. You can extend the diaper-free time as your baby grows. There is no hard and fast rule on when you can start potty training. As soon as your baby can sit up right, you can start taking him/her to the toilet. This will also expedite potty training and diaper-free life!
If you are using cloth diapers, it is also important to make sure that they are cleaned thoroughly so as to avoid bacteria that can easily develop from unclean cloths.
How to clean soiled nappies?
Wash the soiled nappies at 60 degrees Celsius
Hang them to dry
Avoid soaking for long periods of time
Rinse them well after washing with detergent
Use an eco-detergent
Store nappies in a lidded clean bucket
Avoid using unnecessary chemicals such as sanitisers and conditioners
While it is a lot of work for parents to avoid nappy rashes, remember that the rashes are far more discomforting for your baby. Being a little careful and establishing some ground rules from the beginning will help you and your baby with nappy rashes and toilet training in the long run.
By Dr. Kazi Mashfia Fardeen, Medical Specialist, maya.com.bd
Comments