Baby Basics
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Apply ointment, if necessary.
You can apply a barrier ointment at each changing, but if your baby hasn’t had diaper rash, then you may not need it. Fasten the diaper, making sure that it isn’t too tight. And what about that dreaded diaper rash? It isn’t a given that all babies will have it. “Obvious precautionary steps include changing diapers frequently to minimize the contact between moisture and skin,” says Mancini. And using barrier creams or ointments—zinc oxide- or petroleum-based products— helps to accomplish this as well.
Diaper dermatitis (rash) is caused by prolonged contact with urine and feces. If your baby does get a diaper rash, watch it closely. “If there are signs of an infection, such as pustules, whiteheads, drainage, crusting, or intense redness, then secondary yeast or bacterial infection may be present,” says Mancini. If the rash persists, a pediatrician should evaluate it.
Cloth vs. disposable
The decision about which kind of diaper to use is a very personal one. At one time, there were news stories about cloth being the more environmentally sound option. But now it looks like washing cloth diapers has as much environmental impact as disposing of throwaways.
According to the nonprofit Institute for Lifecycle Environmental Assessment, the decision comes down to your community’s situation— in a drought, use disposables; if there are landfill problems, use cloth. That’s the larger environmental impact. On a more personal level, cloth is definitely more natural, while disposables are more convenient. However, when it comes down to your baby’s comfort, Mancini says, “Cloth diapers are not as good as disposables in terms of diaper dermatitis prevention.
Disposable diapers contain absorbent gelling material, which is extremely effective in wicking moisture away from the skin. The incidence of severe diaper dermatitis seems to have fallen significantly since the advent of disposable diaper technology.”
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Comment by Lauren Taylor on Oct 03 2009 09:36:26:
To sponge bathing a baby, fill a medium-sized plastic bowl with very warm (not hot) water. Place the baby, (clothed only in a diaper and loosely wrapped in a towel)on the changing table, kitchen counter or bathroom vanity. I use a large beach or bath towel to pad the counter and a waterproof ad or sheet to protect it.
Start by using a wash cloth on the baby’s face speaking to her the whole time. Tell her you are cleaning her eyes, cheeks, nose, mouth, ears. Gently lift her head and clean all the folds in the neck. Immediately blot the face and neck with a towel so the baby doesn’t get cold. Move on to the arms, still explaining the process. Gently shake the arm to relax it so you can get into the armpit. Next clean the legs and feet being careful to get in between each little toe.
Remove the diaper and use baby wipes to clean any fecal matter before cleaning with the wash cloth. I use soap on the diaper area to be sure it is cleaned well. Blot dry and put on a fresh diaper.
Finally, wrap the baby in a towel so that only her head is uncovered. I then hold the infant in my left hand and wash the hair over the bowl or sink. I squeeze water on her head and add a drop of shampoo. If possible, I let the running tap water flow onto the baby’s head so she can enjoy her spa experience. Usually, I sing,”Raindrops keep falling on my head” while I shampoo the baby.
Once the cord is off, you can immerse the baby. Be sure the water is deep enough to keep her warm and nevr take your hands off her during the bath. Even when I immerse the baby, I always finish the body, diaper and wrap the baby in a towel before doing the head. This technique keeps the baby warmer and happier. Having a pacifier nearby and immersing the baby into the water slowly can help her adjust to the water. be sure to tell her as you put her feet in that it is water. Slowly lower her into the tub just as you would enter a tub. Most of the time, babies love going into the tub this way. When parents put the baby in the water too fast, they complain because they are confused.
Bath time is my favorite time so i try to make it a pleasant experience for everyone. I try to remember to have my camera in my apron pocket before I begin so I can capture those wondrous looks when the baby hits the water!
Comment by Emily Elizabeth Christian on Apr 07 2012 03:01:31:
This magazine needs to do some serious research about cloth diapering, as the claims of diaper rash are just not true, my children were covered in rash in disposable and never get one in cloth. I also think that anyone who claims disposables are more convenient has never used a modern cloth diaper. It's just insulting to me that someone would tell me what is more convenient for me, when actually, I find the leaks, odor, disposal and chemical exposure of disposable to be far less 'convenient' than an organic cotton diaper that gets washed and reused. Cloth diapering is easy, and for those of us who do it full time the 'disposables are more convenient' line is frustrating because it only ever comes from the voice of people who have never given cloth a fair shot.