| Basic diaper changing steps | | | | Some babies are extra sensitive and prone to diaper |
| Have all your supplies at hand, including clothing, just in | | | | rash. To help prevent rashes: |
| case. | | | | Keep baby as dry as possible by changing frequently. |
| Open the old diaper, and if baby has soiled, use a | | | | You may need to change her in the middle of the night, |
| tissue to clean the bulk of the bowel movement into | | | | even if she is sleeping through. |
| the diaper. Roll it up and reseal to contain the mess. | | | | Avoid potential irritants like scented soaps and lotions. |
| Wash your baby’s bottom with mild soap and | | | | Perfumes in disposable diapers may also cause a |
| lukewarm water or a no-alcohol wipe and rinse | | | | reaction. |
| thoroughly. Baby girls should be washed and dried | | | | Cloth diapers may retain traces of detergent or |
| from front to back, to prevent urinary tract infections. | | | | ammonia. Try adding a half cup of vinegar to the rinse. |
| If your baby is just wet, rinse the area without soap. | | | | Plastic diaper covers hold in heat; if you use cloth |
| Too much soap can dry out the skin. | | | | diapers, try breathable covers. |
| Slide the new diaper under baby’s bottom, with | | | | Diaper rash treatment |
| tabs the tabs at the back. | | | | Diaper rash often begins as a mild redness. Left |
| Pat your baby’s bottom dry. Make sure the skin is | | | | untreated, it can become very painful. |
| completely dry, even in the creases. | | | | If your baby has a rash, use no soap, only lukewarm |
| Apply a thin film of petroleum jelly or zinc oxide | | | | water to wash his bottom and apply a medicated |
| ointment, to provide a protective water-repellent barrier | | | | diaper rash ointment once the skin is perfectly dry. |
| on the skin. | | | | Exposure to the air helps, so lay your baby on a towel |
| Fasten the diaper snugly, sticking the back tabs to the | | | | with a bare bottom several times a day. |
| front. | | | | If the rash is very red and inflamed, or isn’t |
| Rinse dirty cloth diapers in the toilet and store in the | | | | responding to your home care, see your doctor. It may |
| diaper pail until wash time. Some communities now | | | | be caused by a yeast infection and require special |
| provide recycling for disposable diapers. | | | | medication. |
| Diaper rash prevention | | | | |