- Avoid the use of alcohol-based and perfumed baby wet wipes when cleaning baby’s bottom during a diaper change as these ingredients may cause an irritation in the anal area resulting in a possible infection.
- It is a good idea to apply petroleum jelly or a topical barrier cream formulated for baby’s bottom before putting on a clean diaper. This protects the area from drying out as a dry skin causes slight cracks, redness and irritation to the skin resulting in an infection.
- Detergents such as soaps, washing powder or fabric softener used on diapers must be thoroughly rinsed to prevent an irritation to the anal area.
- Diapers that are of a towelling or cotton material must be washed properly to ensure that there are no traces of urine or faeces left behind. Each diaper must be sterilised and sun dried to kill off any germs that may be present which can contribute to nappy rash.
- Disposable diapers have a specially designed sheet that helps lock away wetness and helps to keeps baby’s skin dry. These diapers have a cloth like breathable material that allows air into baby’s skin.
- Take care when using a disposable diaper on a premature baby should the adhesive tape stick on the skin. A premature baby has less collagen in their skin increasing the risk of blister formation and skin damage. Baby’s skin is not fully matured until the age of two.
- Baby’s bottom should be air dried daily for ten to twenty minutes.
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