Many parents have one common question, "Can I use diapers for my baby?"

My universal answer, "Yes you can, provided you have DIAPER MANNERS?"

Parents aghast "DIAPER MANNERS?"

Wearing diapers may be the easiest and hassle free option available, but it may sometimes be heavy on your babies tender and sensitive skin. So we have to observe some diaper manners to decrease such insult to babies skin.

 DIAPER MANNERS

Let's list the diaper manners:


  1. Use diapers a size little bigger than your babies bump size. Diapers are available in various sizes according to the age of the babies. The diaper shouldn’t be too tight as it may cause rashes. Neither should it be too loose as it may result in the skin getting soiled which may lead to an infection. Once the baby is old enough to understand when he wants to urinate, it is best to teach him to gesture or say, so that there is no need to make him wear a diaper. For eg., if 2 babies weight is 6 and 10 kg and diaper have size range mentioned as 6-10 and 10-15, for the first baby I will buy size 6-10, but for the second baby, I would buy 10-15 kg.
  2. Give baby a diaper free time of 3-4 hours in a day.
  3. Always use a Diaper rash cream before using diapers, they are for use before the rash appears and not after the rash appears. It actually forms a barrier between skin and diaper jelly which is formed after baby passes poo and pi.
  4. Change diapers as often as needed. So it may be as many times as baby soils diapers. 
  5. Do not use scented baby wipes, especially in newborn or on inflamed skin, as it contains alcohol which can burn babes compromised skin.
  6. Avoid using diapers during loose motions, as that is the most vulnerable time for diaper rashes.
  7. Hands are to be washed before and after every diaper change.
  8. Wash the area gently. Avoid rubbing and grazing the diaper.
  9. Make sure the area is dry and clean before putting on a new diaper.

DIAPER RASH/NAPPY RASH/DIAPER DERMATITIS

Diaper rash
Stages of diaper rash 

Now even after observing above manners, if baby still gets diaper rash, the following are steps you should take:

  1. Keep the baby DIAPER-FREE
  2. Use a thick layer of diaper rash creams 3 -5 times a day.
  3. After each soiling session clean skin with water only, or soap-free cleanser, dab dry the area, or air dry 
  4. You may use potassium permanganate in lukewarm tub water and keep the baby with bumps immerses in this water for 5 min 2 times a day. This will sooth the skin plus its a mild antiseptic.

The above measures should control  Diaper rash till mild-moderate stage as shown in above picture. All other rashes require proper examination and evaluation by a paediatrician for treatment.

Hope to see all happy bumps in health!