Say Goodbye to Diaper Rash: Top Tips for Summer Baby Care
Summertime can bring joy and sunshine but also an unwelcome guest for your baby—diaper rash. This common skin irritation can be caused by various factors such as wet or dirty diapers, diarrhea, irritants, and the introduction of new or solid foods. With the summer heat ramping up, increased humidity and higher temperatures can make diaper rash even more troublesome. Fear not! Here are some expert tips and tricks to help you and your little one beat the summer heat and keep diaper rash at bay.
Tip 1: Frequent Diaper Changes
The easiest way to prevent diaper rash is to change your baby’s diaper frequently to keep it as clean and dry as possible.
Tip 2: Hydration
Just like always, keeping your baby properly hydrated is essential to maintaining healthy skin. Infants less than 6 months of age should drink breastmilk or formula to keep them hydrated. For babies at least 6 months of age, make sure you give them water and fluids regularly in the form of fruits or fruit juices.
Tip 3: Bath Time
Three baths a week are recommended during your baby’s first year, as bathing more frequently can dry out your baby’s skin. Check out our other bathing blog for more details!
Tip 4: Moisturize
Immediately after gently patting your baby dry, apply a nourishing moisturizer followed by bébé Bottoms™ diaper rash crème spray to keep their skin hydrated and protected. The easy-to-use, touch-free application prevents diaper rash and soothes delicate skin, making diaper changes a breeze, even on the hottest days.
Tip 5: Heat Rash
To avoid heat rash, take a break from the heat every 15-20 minutes and check your local heat index before going outside. If your baby gets overheated, it may develop a heat rash, which is a skin irritation that looks like red pimples or blisters.
Tip 6: Choose the Right Clothes
Dress your infant in lightweight, breathable clothing covering both arms and legs. Pure cotton is a great fabric option as it is very breathable. Monitor your baby’s comfort levels and ensure they are not too hot. Signs of heat rash include fussiness, redness, and excessive crying.
FDA expert tip: “If you hold the fabric against your hand and it’s sheer enough to see through it, it probably doesn’t offer enough protection.”
Tip 7: Diaper-Free Time
Give your baby some air with diaper-free time every day! Fresh air will help their skin breathe and prevent moisture buildup and irritation.
Tip 8: Mind the Time
Avoid the hottest parts of the day! The sun is strongest from 10 AM to 4 PM, so plan to go out in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid sun damage and too much heat.
Buy bébé Bottoms™ Diaper Rash Crème Spray today on Amazon.
References:
American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Sun protection for babies. American Academy of Dermatology.
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/prevent/sun-babies
Atlanta Medical Dermatology. (n.d.). Diaper rash and summer. Atlanta Medical Dermatology.
https://www.atlantamedicaldermatology.com/blog/diaper-rash-and-summer/
Bébé Bottoms. (n.d.). Diaper rash 101. Bébé Bottoms.
https://bebebottoms.com/diaper-rash-101
Children's Health. (n.d.). Keeping your baby safe and cool in summer. Children's Health.
https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/keeping-your-baby-safe-and-cool-in-summer
Columbia University Irving Medical Center. (n.d.). The best summer skin care products for kids. Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/best-summer-skin-care-products-kids
Motherhood Chaitanya. (n.d.). 10 ways to prevent diaper rashes in summer. Motherhood Chaitanya.
https://www.motherhoodchaitanya.com/10-ways-to-prevent-diaper-rashes-in-summer/
Stanford Children's Health. (n.d.). Skin care tips for safe fun in the summer sun. Stanford Children's Health.
https://healthier.stanfordchildrens.org/en/skin-care-tips-safe-fun-summer-sun/
Texas Children's Hospital. (n.d.). Caring for your child’s skin during summer. Texas Children's Hospital.
https://www.texaschildrens.org/content/wellness/caring-your-childs-skin-during-summer
The Gazette. (n.d.). Get to the bottom of summer diaper rash. The Gazette.
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals. (n.d.). Sun safety for children and babies. UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals.
https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/education/sun-safety-for-children-and-babies
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Should you put sunscreen on infants? Not usually. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/should-you-put-sunscreen-infants-not-usually
