One of the usual problems of every parent is dealing with their babies’ diaper rashes. The first time you discover a scattering of tiny red bumps on your baby’s bottom, you’re bound to freak out a bit. However, you can expect that diaper rash – a skin irritation consisting of rashes that form in warm and most places – to remain a problem as long as your baby is in diapers.

By the time a baby is potty-trained, a parent has changed not only hundreds, but thousands of diapers. Thousands! Some estimates range from 3,000 to 4,500 diapers by the time the baby reaches his or her second birthday. Imagine that – thousands! No matter how you will look at it, that is a lot of diaper changes. Multiply that by twins or two or more babies or toddlers, and you would have become a diaper-changing wizard!

Typical reasons for your baby’s diaper rash include:

• Irritation by urine and stool
• New foods or products
• Sensitive skin
• Wearing too-tight diapers

Especially if you’re a first-time parent and you see diaper rash on your baby’s sweet bottom, don’t freak out! As repeated, it will remain a problem as long as your baby wears diapers. For the moment, here are a few good tips on how to treat and prevent diaper rash.

Use diaper rash creams and jellies

Prevention is always the best cure for diaper rash. That said, if your baby has it, you can use creams and jellies that contain zinc oxide to soothe the irritation and to prevent contact from irritants, such as stool or urine.

One of the most recommended anti-diaper rash products is Desitin. You can use Desitin not only when your baby has a diaper rash but also as a way to prevent diaper rash before it occurs. Applying a thick amount of Desitin (most recommended during the evening) creates a protective barrier, preventing moisture and wetness from contacting your baby’s skin underneath. Desitin contains zinc oxide to heal and soothe any existing diaper rash, like many topical creams and jellies for this condition.

Change diapers often

As soon as your baby experiences wetness, change the diaper to prevent irritants from contacting your baby’s delicate skin underneath. When your baby is a newborn, they will probably let you know that they’re wet by crying. But as they grow older, they may not cry or protest as much, so check their diapers more often. Prolonged contact or exposure to urine or poop can irritate the skin, so change the diapers frequently.

Check your wipes

Many baby wipes may contain chemicals and strong fragrances, which can irritate your baby’s sensitive skin. Choose baby wipes that are marked “fragrance-free” or “sensitive,” or choose to use cloth wipes.

Air it out

In many instances, some diaper rashes are harder to heal or take longer to go away. There are diaper rashes that linger on even for days. Letting your baby’s sweet bottom air out is one of the ways to heal diaper rashes faster. No, seriously – strip your baby down naked. Wipe off any diaper cream or jelly you have already applied and spread out a blanket or a towel (just in case an “accident” happens). Letting your baby’s little bum exposed in the air will dry the rashes out. They will disappear sooner than you’d expect.

Just remember that as long as your baby still wears diapers, be consistent with changing them often, cleaning your baby’s bum out and letting it air out often, and applying creams or jellies. If your baby experiences a nasty rash, use non-prescription creams or jellies (such as Maximum Strength Desitin, which can be purchased over-the-counter).

If the rash becomes more severe and appears to be a symptom of an underlying condition (such as a yeast infection) or if your baby seems to be in pain related to the rash, it’s time to call the pediatrician.

Check out the alternative to disposable diapers – cloth diapers – and their amazing benefits you may not have even thought of!