Dealing with diaper rash


Suggested ad (Pampers)

For most babies diaper rash is as inevitable as a bowl of spaghetti on their head. It’s just bound to happen at some point. To prevent it you’ll need vigilance, a little luck, and a great diaper.

Know what to look for

If a baby has a serious case of diaper rash, they’ll let you know about it…loudly. The goal is to spot diaper rash early so it doesn’t get out of hand.

If your baby is showing signs of discomfort during diaper changes or at bath time, you may want to give them a close inspection. You’re looking for patches of pink/red skin that might be a little bumpy. Check along their waist and legs where their diaper sits, around your baby’s genitals, and in-between their butt cheeks. Be sure the room you’re in is well-lit as a pleasantly dim nursery could hide early signs of a developing rash.

Common causes

  • Moisture: One of the biggest culprits when it comes to diaper rash is simply not changing diapers often enough. Moisture trapped in the diaper sits against your baby’s skin and makes it susceptible to irritation. When in doubt, change them into a fresh diaper.
  • Nighttime messes: Try to get in the habit of making a quick change part of late-night feedings to prevent your little one from going hours without a fresh diaper. Also, look for a super absorbent diaper like Pampers Swaddlers which has Extra Absorb Channels to help keep your baby dry for up to twelve hours!
  • Diaper fit: A poorly fitting diaper can chafe and irritate. Be sure to check the waistline fit (you should be able to slide in two fingers) and the fit around the leg (tight but stretchable).
  • Proper cleanup: Mess that you miss can lead to a rashy bum, so wipe until your wipe comes away clean. Pampers Sensitive Wipes are clinically proven gentle and have a pH balancing formula that helps protect sensitive skin. This is really important considering how many times you’ll be wiping. You don’t want cleanup to make diaper rash worse!

Treating a rash

Getting rid of diaper rash once it’s there is a battle many new parents fight. The best thing you can do is keep your baby’s skin dry and wait for it to heal. Spend as much time letting your baby’s skin air dry as you can. Who doesn’t love an excuse to hang around the house without their pants on?

Over-the-counter ointments can soothe angry skin and create a protective layer to keep the rash from worsening. You’ll typically see diaper rash beginning to clear up in a couple of days. If your baby develops a fever, or the rash worsens after you’ve started treating it, you’ll want to contact your healthcare provider and check in.

An ounce of prevention

Truly the best way to treat diaper rash is to prevent it entirely.

Consider Pampers Swaddlers, from the #1 pediatrician recommended diaper brand. Pampers Swaddlers is designed to keep your baby’s skin dry and healthy. The Absorb Away Liner pulls wetness and mess away from your baby’s skin while providing Blankie Soft comfort and protection.

Tap here to order your Pampers Swaddlers, so you’re well stocked for those first rash-free changes!


Shop Pampers

*Hospitals: based on hospital sales data; nurses: vs. the leading competitor brands, among those with a preference; parents: based on retail sales.


This ad is brought to you by Pampers

Find the Ovia app for you!
Get our app at the Apple App Store Get our app at the Apple App Store Get our app at the Google Play Store Get our app at the Google Play Store