Being a first-time mom, I was really excited about taking on the new mommy role. From breastfeeding to singing lullabies to playing with my bambino, motherhood wasn’t as tough as I had it in my head (sigh!). My son was feeding and sleeping well. Things couldn’t have been better. And since my husband helped with diaper duties, everything went on smoothly. But all this changed two months later. You know how it is with moms. Whether it’s big or small, anything that affects your baby will affect your mental peace as well. And it can be something as common as a diaper rash.
One day after feeding him, I put my baby to sleep. My usual sleepyhead was refusing to shut his eyes. I noticed that he looked really irritated. Then I saw him trying to scratch his bum. That’s when I decided to remove his nappy and take a look. A small part of his bum looked tender and red. I immediately took him to the doctor. And as I had suspected, it was a classic case of diaper rash. Thankfully, since I caught it early on, it didn’t spread anywhere else.
Diaper rash is one thing every mom tries to avoid. But no matter how much we try, it has a way of coming back if your child is a diaper baby. And it’s horrible to see your little one be irritated and helpless. So, the first thing every mom needs to do is understand and learn about diaper rash and its symptoms.
How To Identify Diaper Rash?
If your baby’s bottom looks red and inflamed, then it’s likely a case of diaper rash. Diaper rash, as the name suggests, usually occurs in the diaper region – the thighs, bum, and genitals (1).
Your baby may seem fussy or irritated during a diaper change. He/she may cry or be uncomfortable when you are touching the diaper area while bathing or changing them. So, watch out for these signs.
There are two types of diaper rash: yeast diaper rash and standard diaper rash.
- Yeast diaper rash is caused by a yeast, unlike the standard ones which are caused by irritants.
- If your baby has yeast diaper rash, along with tender-looking skin, spots or pimples may appear.
- Yeast diaper rash may take longer to clear up, unlike the regular ones.
- Yeast diaper rash can occur beyond the diaper rash region.
Since my baby had regular diaper rash, my doctor had prescribed a diaper rash cream. And without much thought, I did what my doctor had suggested. But diaper rashes turned out to be a pain in the a** for my baby (pun intended). Though it would clear up in a few days, it became a common thing in my baby’s bottom. And creams weren’t quite as effective as I hoped it would be.
Since I wasn’t a big fan of medicines and desperate to get it treated, I started looking for natural remedies. That’s when it hit me. The major cause of diaper rash is – diapers! So why not let my baby be free from it? The best treatment for diaper rash is good old air. Once I let my baby’s bottom be exposed to some air, it worked its magic. My baby never had diaper rash until now. We don’t realize how sensitive our baby’s skin is, and constantly covering them up with diaper can be a perfect breeding ground for all sorts of problems.
Honestly, it had never occurred to me for a few months. Afterall diaper rash creams are considered as a must-have in every mama’s bag. They are so popularised by doctors and every parenting book that we forget about trying out something else. Something that is natural and doesn’t involve slathering your baby’s bum with ointments. Letting my baby be free of diapers is the best decision I ever made. But I gotta warn you, be prepared to get your hands a bit messy. With some planning and preparation, you can let your child go nappy free. If you find it too overwhelming, you can let your baby go nappy free for some time between diaper change. Trust me, it will make a huge difference. However, if you feel like the rashes aren’t improving or your baby’s case is severe, it’s best to consult your doctor.
