Babies' delicate skin can easily become red and inflamed when it is in continual contact with urine and faeces. Here's a few tips for preventing and healing nappy rash:
- Change your baby's nappy as soon as possible after they have passed a bowel motion. And don't leave them in a wet nappy for a long period of time. Waste products in the faeces and urine irritate the baby's skin causing the characteristic inflammation, redness and skin damage associated with nappy rash.
- Do not use baby wipes or lotions that contain chemicals as these can actually increase skin irritation. Use either a soft damp cloth or Water Wipes which are made of 99.9% water and 0.1% fruit extract with no added chemicals.
- Bath your baby daily to cleanse the nappy area. Do not use harsh soaps that contain chemicals as these can contribute to skin irritation. If you do want to use a soap rather than just water, try using a little bit of The Herb Farm Soothe and Repair Soap, it's natural and full of nutrients that nourish, soothe and help repair the skin whilst gently cleansing it.
- After bathing ensure that your baby's nappy area is gently but thoroughly dried and then use Power of Nature Organic Lavender Baby Powder on the skin surface of the nappy area - this is the best talc-free, all-natural baby powder for getting rid of nappy rash and preventing it from reoccurring. It draws moisture and impurities away from the skin and alleviates the redness, inflammation and irritation associated with nappy rash.
- Kekebaby Organic Barrier Balm is also highly recommended for using on clean skin to help protect the surface of the skin from being irritated by urine and faeces.
- If you are breast feeding make sure your diet is healthy, nutritious and chemical-free which will help improve the quality of your breast milk, providing better nutrition for your baby. Healthy physiological function of babies' internal organs is highly important for the health of their skin. And once your baby is on solids, ensure his/her diet is made up of nutritious, natural, organic wholefoods, and sugar-free, to maintain healthy skin.
- Make sure your baby drinks plenty of water. This keeps their urine more dilute making it less irritating when it comes into contact with the skin. It also helps detoxification pathways in the body which in turn improves the health of the skin.
- Try to let your baby spend some time with their nappy off whenever possible or practical.