I can clearly remember the first time I dealt with nappy rash – and I am talking full-on burn style rash. Blisters, redness and hot to the touch.
Awful.
I didn’t know what had happened to my poor, poor baby. What on earth had caused such awful burns on her precious little bottom?
I have always believed that teething is a major cause of nappy rash, it certainly seems to happen around that time, but apparently, it isn’t one of the documented causes! Who knew?!
What are the common causes of nappy rash?
- Soiled nappies combined with friction
- Tight nappies – preventing air circulation
- Baby wipes & other cleaning products
Your baby will be more likely to suffer from nappy rash if they:
- were premature
- are unwell
- have had vaccinations
- have diarrhoea
- have a change in diet i.e. weaning
- suffer from eczema
In a nutshell, they are sensitive to lots of external factors and so it is up to us as parents to look after their delicate skin.
I had always tried to make sure I change Will’s nappy regularly and used creams as soon as I’d spot any redness, but there are so many more things that can be done to prevent that dreaded rash.
5 tips for preventing nappy rash
Here are 5 different ways that can help stop that redness and ways that can help clear it up if it should appear.
1. Change your baby’s nappy as soon as it becomes soiled. Seems simple but with modern absorbent nappies, babies can be left longer without anyone realising they are wet. Aim for 5 – 7 times a day.
2. Allow nappy-free time each day – even 5 minutes would allow their skin to breathe.
3. Use the correct nappy size. If they are too tight then air cannot circulate and friction can irritate their skin.
4. Avoid perfumed wipes and products.
5. Use a gentle nappy ointment at every change. We now use Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment and it is brilliant. It forms a protective barrier, letting the skin breathe and also protect it from any irritants. It’s also free from any nasty chemicals that could irritate your baby’s skin.
Now that I have been using protective cream before anything happens, as a preventative measure, he hasn’t suffered from any nappy rash at all – including through the dreaded teething stage!
If you have a little one then follow these simple tips and hopefully your little one will be rash free from now on too!
And guess what? I have a giveaway to win:
- £50 JoJo Maman Bebe/John Lewis voucher
- A 6-month supply of Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment
- A Bepanthen cuddly toy (either an elephant or a dragonfly)
To be in with a chance of winning, simply enter the widget below. Good luck!
This post is sponsored by Bepanthen but all words and thoughts are my own.
151 Comments
Jade - Raising the Rings
April 8, 2018 at 6:04 pmLots of bare bottom time; give them five minutes to ‘air’ during nappy changes – that worked for us! x
Emma Ellison
April 8, 2018 at 6:26 pmLot’s of nappy free time x
Rachel Bradford
April 8, 2018 at 6:32 pmWe try to have lots of nappy off time and change them often, and very quickly!
Leila Benhamida
April 8, 2018 at 6:42 pmChange nappy often and sudocream if needed.
Caroline Blaza
April 9, 2018 at 10:16 amSudocream x
iain maciver
April 9, 2018 at 10:16 amchange nappies often
Catherine Stewart
April 9, 2018 at 10:19 amBare bums wherever possible to let the skin breathe!
S Edwards
April 9, 2018 at 10:27 amWe use SudoCrem we find it the best for nappy rash and preventing it
DAWN WINSKILL
April 9, 2018 at 10:28 amChange nappies often
Nicola Marshall
April 9, 2018 at 10:31 amLots of free nappy time and vasaline.
Sue McCarthy
April 9, 2018 at 11:33 amI don’t have any children but would love to win this prize to donate to charity, to go to Romania.
Anonymous
April 9, 2018 at 12:06 pmSudocrem and at least 30 mins per day without a nappy
Ursula Hunt
April 9, 2018 at 12:07 pmSudocrem and at least 30 mins [er day without a nappy on
samj
April 9, 2018 at 1:06 pmSudocrem and having a barebottom a couple of times a day
neha
April 9, 2018 at 2:40 pmChange nappy often, keep baby nude for a while to air out and a good barrier cream. Im due my first baby in 2 weeks and all this advice is really handy! Thank you x
sarah rees
April 9, 2018 at 5:50 pmkeeping fresh and clean, nappies changed when necessary, air time after baths, good creams if necessary
Shaun Tutt
April 9, 2018 at 6:42 pmChanging nappies often
Michelle Ferguson
April 9, 2018 at 6:49 pmI find sudocrem always works
becci cleary
April 9, 2018 at 7:42 pmRaw Egg Whites – something that my Nan taught me – works wonders
andrea tinkler
April 9, 2018 at 7:49 pmregularly change nappy and i use sudocrem
Alice Dixon
April 9, 2018 at 8:01 pmSudocrem and lots of nappy free time
David Taylor
April 9, 2018 at 8:19 pmWe are expecting our 1st child this September so cannot offer any advice, however it would be perfect timing to win this amazing prize!
Sarah Walford
April 9, 2018 at 9:29 pmNappy Free time and Sudocrem when Nappy is back on!!
Sadiyya Maryam
April 9, 2018 at 9:46 pmTo change a dirty nappy as soon as possible.
Jennifer Toal
April 9, 2018 at 10:01 pmSudocrem
natalie crossan
April 9, 2018 at 10:26 pmI like a protective barrier (either sudocrem or bepanthen) and then a fresh nappy regularly x
Hayley Colburn
April 9, 2018 at 10:57 pmregular nappy changes, patting dray after changing and barrier cream at the first sign of pink/redness
Sarah Roberts
April 10, 2018 at 12:38 amMake sure they are totally dry and give them little buns some air too. Regular nappy changes and always use a cream like sudocrem for a barrier .
Fellina judson
April 10, 2018 at 8:29 amLots of air to the bum and cream when nappy is on
Dale Dow
April 10, 2018 at 10:06 amlots of nappy off time so the skin can breathe x
chelsey hollings
April 10, 2018 at 11:09 amLots of nappy off time
Kirsty Ward
April 10, 2018 at 11:57 amRegular nappy changes & I use nappy cream regularly
Lindsey stuart
April 10, 2018 at 12:33 pmI let my little boy lye on his changing mat with a towel underneath for warmth and comfort and let him get as much air as possible whilst at home 🙂 i change nappies often and always use a nappy cream.
Gillian McClelland
April 10, 2018 at 12:54 pmSudocrem and lots of nappy free time
Lesley Bambridge
April 10, 2018 at 1:18 pmNo nappy time and let the air get to the skin : )
Sheena Batey
April 10, 2018 at 2:01 pmI frequently changed her nappy and used cream
Sophie Foulds
April 10, 2018 at 2:54 pmChange her often and use sudocream!
Lyndsey Cooksey
April 10, 2018 at 5:17 pmChanging nappies often and having lots of bare bum time when possible and always keep a tub of nappy cream at hand
Fay
April 10, 2018 at 7:46 pmI don’t have a little one but I would love to enter for my best friend, who was ‘expecting’ her first baby last Thursday!! (He’s not made an appearance yet though!)
Anonymous
April 10, 2018 at 7:52 pmWith a new baby expected to join the family after quite a gap we shall have to take note of new products and ideas but nappy free time and frequent changes using a barrier cream still seem to be most important.
Susan Greer
April 10, 2018 at 8:57 pmSudocrem is excellent
G Keegan
April 10, 2018 at 9:25 pmSome nappy free time and regular changes.
Anonymous
April 10, 2018 at 9:50 pmI don’t leave her in a damp nappy too long so there is less chance of her getting sore.
lisa dolatowski
April 10, 2018 at 10:21 pmregular changes of the nappy and letting them run around without one on when possible
Jessica Powell
April 10, 2018 at 10:40 pmRegular changing and barrier cream.
Julir
April 10, 2018 at 11:01 pmLots of nappy off time and a good barrier cream.
Zoey P
April 11, 2018 at 5:39 amSudocream and barebottom time
Lindsey Jones
April 11, 2018 at 7:05 amRegular changes and sudocrem
Lorna Ledger
April 11, 2018 at 1:14 pmLet them be naked! Great before bathtime!
Nicola Farrel
April 11, 2018 at 4:10 pmWe make sure she’s changed regularly a little nappy free time helps as well. Barrier cream if it starts to get red seems to keep it at bay.
Jules Eley
April 11, 2018 at 6:34 pmI change them often and onl use water on their bums,
Hannah Wallington
April 11, 2018 at 8:43 pmRegular changes and plenty of cream
Kim Carberry
April 11, 2018 at 9:20 pmHave lots of nappy free time x
Courtney Kemal
April 12, 2018 at 1:15 amChange nappies often! NEVER keep them in a wet nappy. Let them go free sometimes (naked) to get air to their bums! be generous with cream, always! thanks for the blog it helped me! Great prize as its my sons first birthday son and I saw some lovely bits in JL! Thanks for the chance! Courtney x
Clare Hubbard
April 12, 2018 at 9:32 amSudocream has proven to be a godsend, we haven’t tried any other creams though
laura banks
April 12, 2018 at 10:18 amhave nappy free time
Sinead ORourke
April 12, 2018 at 1:51 pmIf possible use cotton nappies rather than disposable.
Louise Fairweather
April 12, 2018 at 5:06 pmNappy free time
Anonymous
April 12, 2018 at 10:20 pmI use metanium, for when they get a little rash, and obviously change nappies when requires and clean the skin thoroughly and dry well when changing, I know that is when urine and faeces come together the ph changes this is particularly irritating to the skin if left in contact
Marie Elvin
April 12, 2018 at 11:02 pmLots of nappy free time!
melanie stirling
April 13, 2018 at 12:22 amCleaning the urine off at every nappy change and applying barrier cream.
Anonymous
April 13, 2018 at 6:45 amnappy off as often as possible! changing frequently and lots of barrier cream to prevent it.
Claire Croft
April 13, 2018 at 6:46 amlots of nappy off time, changing as regularly as possible and using a good protective cream
Solange
April 14, 2018 at 6:29 amChange your baby’s nappy regularly, clean them thoroughly, apply barrier cream after each nappy change and give your baby as much nappy-free time as possible.
Kathy Cakebread
April 14, 2018 at 1:13 pmregular nappy changes
Elzbieta Znyk
April 14, 2018 at 7:33 pmChange nappy quite often, use cream.
Simone Griffin
April 14, 2018 at 9:15 pmI try and keep a nappy off for short periods of time per day and change them regularly
Sarah Addey
April 14, 2018 at 11:08 pmChange often to keep fresh
Helen Stratton
April 15, 2018 at 10:19 amRegular nappy changes, free kicking time and keep the area clean. I’ve started using reusable wipes and they seem great.
Ana Nowell
April 15, 2018 at 3:53 pmUsing cotton wool instead of wipes and bepanthen which seems to be the only thing that works
Elizabeth chew
April 16, 2018 at 9:00 amA bath every night. We use cream every now and again but she rarely gets red.
Emma Davenport
April 16, 2018 at 12:24 pmHappy nappy free time…
Jade
April 16, 2018 at 2:02 pmSudocrem and nappy off time
Caroline Cordery
April 17, 2018 at 12:01 amLuckily it’s not been much of a problem, but leaving the nappy off, and using metanium cream.
Kelly B
April 17, 2018 at 9:40 amI didn’t realise how bad nappy rash could be but my little boy experienced it badly once when he was teething. I would always allow some nappy free time and make sure he was dry after being cleaned and before applying a really small amount of barrier cream.
Katy Hacket
April 17, 2018 at 2:42 pmLots of time with her bottom to the air! I also have a little balm for when she starts to look sore, but it’s never got too bad thankfully.
Pauline Burroughs
April 17, 2018 at 8:38 pmMake sure nappies are changed frequently and use Sudocrem every time
Rebecca roberts
April 18, 2018 at 6:07 pmI change her nappy often and smother in sudocream
Emma h
April 19, 2018 at 6:39 amChange nappy frequently and use a good barrier cream
Rebecca Phillips
April 19, 2018 at 8:22 amWe never really had a bad nappy rash. I just always made sure to wipe properly, change often and use a barrier cream.
Susan Trubey
April 19, 2018 at 9:04 pmvaseline
Nikki Hayes
April 19, 2018 at 10:18 pmSudocrem and as much nappy free time as possible :o)
john prendergast
April 19, 2018 at 11:09 pmSudocrem and nappy free time
Jess Armstrong
April 20, 2018 at 7:36 amSudocream works a treat!
Jessi
April 20, 2018 at 5:51 pmWe have lots of nappy free time, I also found one brand of wipes which work perfectly for me and my children, also at the slightest sign of redness I use cream and it’s typically gone by the next nappy change.
Kerryn Johnson
April 20, 2018 at 7:59 pmLeave nappies off for as long as possible
Emma Thackery
April 20, 2018 at 8:45 pmNappy free time and a barrier cream if needed
Jessica Barber
April 20, 2018 at 8:50 pmNappy free time and regular changes!
JULIE WARD
April 20, 2018 at 8:52 pmLeft my lads with no nappy on quite a lot, they never really suffered from any rashes, maybe they were lucky ones
astrid c
April 21, 2018 at 6:44 amlots of nappy free time!! x
Mary Baldwin
April 21, 2018 at 9:43 amLots of nappy changes, and a wipe over with a simple damp cloth after wipes to remove any chemical residue.
Lauren Main
April 21, 2018 at 9:45 amSudocrem and a little while in the day without wearing a nappy!
Emma Fox
April 21, 2018 at 11:14 amLots of nappy free time 🙂
Angela W
April 21, 2018 at 11:55 amI make sure his nappy is regularly cleaned and that his bum is dry before putting on the fresh nappy x
Lucinda Beckett
April 21, 2018 at 12:49 pmI am entering for my friend who is due in august! I know that she is very eco minded and will use reusable nappies and most likely will go for lots of nappy free time!
Allan Fullarton
April 21, 2018 at 3:42 pmSudocream is a life saver.
Rebecca Powell
April 21, 2018 at 4:30 pmI always change nappies often and use Sudocrem at every nappy change
Ruth Lee
April 21, 2018 at 5:07 pmsudocrem and change nappies often
christine westlake
April 21, 2018 at 5:49 pmsudocream and dry nappies
Hazel Murphy
April 21, 2018 at 6:15 pmChange nappies regularly and use sudocrem.
Amy Denney
April 21, 2018 at 6:16 pmSudocrem and nappy free time
Rebecca lis
April 21, 2018 at 6:43 pmNappy free time and lots of it!!
chloe brill
April 21, 2018 at 6:57 pmuse sudocreme
C Whitlow
April 21, 2018 at 7:26 pmAir and sudocrem!
Victoria Worthington
April 21, 2018 at 8:39 pmI spray La Roche-Posay thermal spring water at every nappy change
Cerys John
April 21, 2018 at 9:14 pmRegular nappy changes and sudocrem!
Karen Howden
April 21, 2018 at 10:35 pmsudocrem
Jan
April 21, 2018 at 10:41 pmLots of nappy free time.
Carol Cliffe
April 21, 2018 at 11:06 pmRegular changes and nappy free time, plus I always found Bepanthen was the best treatment if nappy rash did occur.
Rachel Craig
April 22, 2018 at 1:23 amRegular nappy changes, and some nappy free time daily are some aspects we have used as a family. Addition to the family due later this year, so prize if won :- Would be welcome, useful and appreciated.
Some risk factors for nappy rash are not easily avoided, so it seems best to be prepared. Thanks for all the up to date information.
Julie Wilson
April 22, 2018 at 6:07 amPlenty of nappy free time and I used Sudocrem for my children.
jacqui rushton
April 22, 2018 at 6:42 amBy using cotton wool
Martina Deeley
April 22, 2018 at 7:49 amNappy free time. Is good to get some air to the area
Ali Fanstone
April 22, 2018 at 8:08 ammy grandson has lots of free nappy time, which I also think helps with potty training
Jo Hutchings
April 22, 2018 at 9:22 amRegular nappy changes seems to do the trick for us.
adrian prtice
April 22, 2018 at 9:56 amnappy free time—is happy time
Lauren Stebbings
April 22, 2018 at 10:21 amNappy free time helps a lot
Jacqueline Roberts
April 22, 2018 at 11:00 amI treated with sudocrem if looked red but didn’t use if not needed. I always had nappy off time and regular changes with wipes with water and cotton wool.
Elaine Stokes
April 22, 2018 at 11:23 amnappy free time and always use the creams when they are in nappies
Diane Tait
April 22, 2018 at 11:33 amRegular changes, loads of nappy free time and Sudocrem when in nappies
Jayne Kelsall
April 22, 2018 at 11:47 amI discovered Metanium ointment with my first and find it really good .x
Liv Lee
April 22, 2018 at 11:57 amChange them asap
paula cheadle
April 22, 2018 at 11:59 amchange nappies often, and use a good barrier cream
Jeanette Leighton
April 22, 2018 at 12:16 pmChanging as soon as done a number 2 ?
Lorna Wils
April 22, 2018 at 12:56 pmChnage the nappy frequently, air the bottom and apply Bepanthen cream.
zoe d
April 22, 2018 at 3:07 pmSudocream
Deborah Clarke
April 22, 2018 at 3:48 pmFrequent nappy changes are a must along with regular nappy free time. Thanks for the chance to be your lucky winner
gaynor Vincent
April 22, 2018 at 3:48 pmIn the summer let them run around the garden without a nappy – but apply sun cream first!
Karla Gold
April 22, 2018 at 4:05 pmSudacrem is everything
Joanna Kasznicki
April 22, 2018 at 4:16 pmwe enjoy lots of bare bum time lol
Ioana Cristina Popescu
April 22, 2018 at 4:36 pmSudocream and try not to use nappies all the time.
Lauren
April 22, 2018 at 5:12 pmChanging nappy regularly and applying cream each change. We also use wipes that only contain water.
Tiffeny Brown
April 22, 2018 at 5:32 pmMy 9 month old has never suffered with nappy rash thank goodness and I just change his nappy regularly and apply cream 🙂
Sarah Holder
April 22, 2018 at 5:49 pmBare bum time lots of it!!
Amy Fox
April 22, 2018 at 6:59 pmPoor Eli had horrendous nappy rash when he was only a few days old. Bepanthen and lots of nappy free time worked. It did mean I got wee’d on more times than I’d have liked though! x
Tammy Neal
April 22, 2018 at 8:03 pmSudocrem x
Emma Gough
April 22, 2018 at 8:09 pmI always make sure she’s changed as soon as she poops and regular changes in between
Jenna Parrington
April 22, 2018 at 8:13 pmBy changing frequently and giving her nappy free time xx
Michelle Wild
April 22, 2018 at 8:14 pmNever mix pee with poop if you smell a smell change immediately. It’s the chemical reaction which causes the rash!
Kyomi Johnson
April 22, 2018 at 8:15 pmBy changing frequently and plenty of nappy free time
Nikki Hunter-Pike
April 22, 2018 at 8:16 pmChange frequently – also make sure you clean the entire area where the nappy has been touching as that helps keep it at bay!
Laura Findlay
April 22, 2018 at 8:22 pmNappy free time and bepanthen x
stephanie
April 22, 2018 at 9:11 pmnappy free time
Jodi hill
April 22, 2018 at 9:32 pmNappie free time for my daughter & nappie changes often!
Tasha
April 22, 2018 at 9:53 pmBepanthen!
Robyn Clarke
April 22, 2018 at 10:07 pmNappy free time, we had a lovely conservatory in our old house and it got lovely and warm, perfect for nappy free time.
Caroline
April 22, 2018 at 10:15 pmLeaving a nappy off as much as possible!!
Laura Khomutova
April 22, 2018 at 10:20 pmI change her more often
Melissa Mahon
April 22, 2018 at 11:17 pmLots of nappy free time!
Lia Burns
April 22, 2018 at 11:35 pmWe have 1 hour of nappy free time a day, I find fresh air helps a lot keeping her bum smooth!
Andrea Johnson
April 22, 2018 at 11:44 pmNappy free time!