Smooth as a Baby's Bottom? Look out if Baby has Diaper Rash

As one add solid foods to the diet of baby, the stool content changes which may lead to diaper rash. Change in diet will change the frequency of urination and stool which could also lead to rash. Most diaper rashes are caused by skin irritation. Exposure to urine and feces for long duration can irritate baby's sensitive skin. More and frequent urination and passing stool can lead to diaper rash.

Babies can also develop irritation if diapers rub against the skin, fit too tightly or are left on for too long. The use of antibiotics by breast-feeding mothers or baby could be another reason as antibiotics kill bacteria, both bad and good and without the right balance of good bacteria, however, yeast infections can occur.

The sure shot method to prevent and treat diaper rash is to keep your baby's diaper area clean, cool and dry. Change your baby's diaper often, remove the dirty diapers promptly. Before each diaper change rinse your baby's bottom with water. Let baby go without diaper when possible to let the air dry his or her skin.

Avoid using diapers with elastic edge or overtighten diapers. When baby is sleeping try keeping him or her on an open cloth diaper and check diaper shortly after your baby falls asleep and replace it if it's wet. Babies often urinate right after falling asleep. Do use ointment every day. If your baby gets rashes often, apply a barrier ointment during each diaper change to prevent skin irritation. Petroleum jelly and zinc oxide are the time-proven ingredients included in many prepared diaper ointments.

Parents should wash hands after each diaper change to avoid passing yeast infection to baby's other body parts. Occasionally soak your baby's bottom between diaper changes with warm water

Diaper rash usually goes away within two to three days with home care. If it persists, or if sores start to appear on your baby's skin even after home treatment have your child examined or occurs along with any of the following:

* Fever
* Blisters or Pimples, small ulcers form
* Weight loss of baby
* Rash which is spreading to other areas
* Large bumps or nodules appear
* Rash not going away even giving home treatment for a week.