Wellness

Diaper Care For Babies

Answered by Team ParentCircle

Dr Vidya Poonacha Taneja, senior consultant (general pediatrics), Madhukar Rainbow Hospital, New Delhi answers questions on diaper care for babies

Q1. Many people say that diapers are not good for babies. My in-laws tell me not to use a diaper on my 3-month-old daughter. What’s the harm in making her wear a diaper?

Diapers are perfectly safe for babies. Keep the diaper area clean and dry by changing diapers often and reducing exposure to urine and fecal matter. Prolonged contact with urine or stool can irritate the baby’s delicate skin, leading to rashes. Diaper rash occurs in about 50% of infants in varying degrees of severity, so being proactive with the care of the diaper area goes a long way in protecting your baby. Usually, simple remedies work in case there’s a mild rash. However, consult a pediatrician if the rash is severe. Don’t leave it unattended at any point.

Q2. My 6-month-old son has developed a diaper rash (the entire groin, including parts of the buttocks, is red). This makes him cranky, and he cries when I try to diaper him. How do I treat the rash? Can my child continue wearing diapers?

Diaper rash, or inflammation of the skin, usually results from improper diaper usage. Sometimes diaper dermatitis can also result from the baby’s skin being sensitive to other irritants (like baby wipes used to clean the diaper area, or urine and stool that have been left in contact with the skin for too long).

Whatever the cause, the broad outlines of treatment remain the same. Apply a good barrier cream—a zinc oxide-based cream or petroleum jelly­—on the diaper area after every diaper change. Remember to clean the skin gently with a moist cotton ball and pat dry with a soft cloth. Allow the skin in the diaper area to air dry for about 10 minutes, three times a day, between diaper changes, preferably when your baby is napping. Change diapers often, even at night. If the rash doesn’t clear up, consult your pediatrician.

Q3. How do I find the correct diaper size for my 1-month-old baby?

Diapers are usually labeled based on the baby’s weight and can be chosen accordingly. A diaper that’s a good fit should leave no red marks on the skin after it is removed. Red marks appear if the diaper is too tight. The diaper’s waistband should sit comfortably under your baby’s belly button, and you should be able to run two fingers under it. There should also be no gaps in the diaper’s leg cuffs.

Q4. Which is better—cloth or disposable diapers? My mother always asks me to go for cloth diapers, as she believes they’re better for the baby’s skin.

Both cloth and disposable diapers can be used safely. Disposable diapers are more absorbent, keep the baby’s skin dry, and are very convenient, especially when traveling. Cloth diapers, on the other hand, are reusable and hence easy on the budget. They’re also a more environment-friendly option. However, if cloth diapers are washed with harsh detergents and are not rinsed thoroughly, they can irritate the baby’s skin. They also need to be changed as soon as they’re wet, or the baby can develop rashes.

Q5. My child is 2.5 years old. When should I stop making him wear diapers? Also, when should I start toilet training him?

Diapers can be used for as long as required till the baby is fully toilet trained. Babies are normally ready to be toilet trained at around 18 to 24 months. Do not start toilet training if you think your baby is not ready for it. Start training by talking to your baby in simple language and making connections between the urge to pee or poop and using the potty. Get him to sit on the potty seat with a ring attachment for short periods. Don’t ever force toilet training if he is resisting it, as that may result in severe constipation or urinary tract infection (UTI). Diaper use at night can be discontinued when your baby’s diapers are consistently dry for many days.

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