How To Prevent Diaper Rash

Disclosure: I received samples of WaterWipes to facilitate this review. All opinions and photos are my own.

Cold and flu season has hit our house hard. Between cases of strep throat, RSV and the common cold, it seems like my son has been on antibiotics for months. And as any mom knows, with antibiotics comes the dreaded diarrhea, and diaper rash often is not far behind. Here are my top tips on how to prevent diaper rash.

1. Lots of Fluids with a Probiotic.

Avoid things like juice or milk. Instead, offer your child lots of fluids with electrolytes, like Pedialyte, to prevent dehydration. Mix in a powdered probiotic to help regulate their digestive system. This goes a long way in preventing diarrhea or even helping to lessen its severity.

2. Create a Protective Barrier.

Before diaper rash begins, use petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, or Aquaphor to create a barrier between your child’s skin and the diarrhea. The acidity in diarrhea irritates skin, so you want to make sure to separate the two.

3. Give Lots of Baths.

Allow your child to soak in the tub and make sure to clean them very well. It seems kind of obvious, but a good washing goes a long way.

4. Change Diapers Often.

Again, this seems like it’s common sense, but the more often you can change your child’s diaper, the better. When they have diarrhea, you want to make sure to keep a fresh, clean diaper on their poor bums as much as you can.

5. Use Alcohol-Free Wipes.

I recently had the chance to try out WaterWipes, an allergy-friendly, alcohol-free wipe solution, and it is awesome. Alcohol-based wipes can dry out your child’s skin — and if they *do* get a diaper rash, alcohol-based wipes burn. I can testify to the power of a screaming toddler who does *not* want a wipe on his poor, diaper-rash-riddled bum.

These are the perfect sensitive skin wipes, too. With no harsh chemicals, it’s *almost* like wiping with a wet paper towel. But so much better. They’re thick and the fruit extract adds just the right amount of moisturizer.

They’re so gentle, I’ve even started using them to wipe my son’s face this winter. They’re great for chapped skin because they don’t cause stinging. I especially like the WaterWipes Sensitive Face Wipes to remove my own makeup — I have *really* sensitive skin and they are so soft.

Look for WaterWipes at your local Walgreens.

What are some of your best tips to prevent diaper rash?