Diapering: Proper Procedures and Preventive Measures

Before bringing the baby to home, the parents, especially the mother decides as to what is to be used to clean the excretory wastes of the baby. There are mainly two options: either to use cloth or to use diapers. These diapers are to be disposed off after the first usage. Keeping this in mind, we can estimate the number of diapers that will be used for the baby. It is about 10 a day or 70 a week.
One should always remember while diapering the baby that he/she has all the stores within reach. It makes sure that the baby is never left unattended.
These are the things that one requires while diapering a baby:

• a hygienic diaper
•  Claspers (like pin), if instead of diapers cloth is used.
• If the baby is having a skin complaint then a diaper ointment should be used.
• An urn containing warm water
• Cotton balls
• Clean washcloth

When the parent finds the diaper to be wet or after a bowel movement, they should lay the baby facing upwards. Then the dirt-filled diaper should be removed. Water, diaper wipes or clean washcloth and cotton balls should be utilized to clean the genital portion of the baby. One should be cautious while removing the diaper of a boy because if the diaper is not removed carefully, the genital organs of the boy may be exposed to air leading the baby boy to urinate. Similarly when a baby girl is being wiped, care should be taken that her bottom is being wiped from front continuing to the rear. This prevents the baby girl acquiring a urinary tract infection. If the baby is having a skin complaint then an ointment should be made use of. One should always bear in mind to wash his/her hands after diapering.
Commonly, diaper rash always is a concern for parents. Generally, the rash appears to be red in color. It is bumpy in nature and can be healed by warm bath or from the use of a diaper cream. Diaper rash can also be removed by removing the diaper from the body of the baby for some time. The reason as to why a rash occurs is due to the sensitivity of the baby’s skin. The skin gets rubbed against the moist diaper again and again. This results in rashes. When the baby takes in juice, the poop sometimes becomes acidic in nature. These two reasons can be attributed as the cause of diaper rashes.
The following are certain precautionary and healing steps of diaper rash:

• One should always be watchful as to remove the wet diaper and place a new diaper, and this should be done immediately after the bowel movements.
• Once the genital areas of the baby have been cleansed by water and mild soap, or through the use of a wipe, a ‘barrier’ cream should be applied. This ointment will help in prevent in diaper rashes. Those creams which have zinc oxides forms a protective barrier against dampness and hence such creams are preferable.
• If one is making use of cloth diapers, they should be washed in dye-or in smell free detergents.
• The baby should not be diapered all throughout the day. The skin gets an opportunity to breathe out.

A doctor should be called if the diaper rash remains in excess of 3 days. This rash may have been caused due to fungal infection. To cure this infection, a prescription is required