WHEN
TO CHANGE DIAPERS
If
diaper rash is to be prevented, change diapers before and after a feeding, after
a bowel movement, and whenever he seems to be uncomfortable because of a wet
diaper.
Unless his skin is extremely sensitive or he has a diaper rash, don't disturb
his sleep just to change him. Rest is more important. Baby won't be cold because
of a wet diaper, if he's warm enough otherwise
.
If he wakes and cries, change him, but check to see if there is some other
reason for his crying. He may be too warm or too cold. Or a gas bubble may be
bothering him.
The buttocks and genital area must be thoroughly cleaned each time the diaper is
changed. If the baby has only urinated, cleanse the skin by wiping with plenty
of warm water and cotton. Dry thoroughly with more cotton or a soft towel. Then
apply lotion or cornstarch before diapering if needed.
After bowel movement, gently wipe off with soft
toilet paper or tissues any feces that may be clinging to the skin. Then use
cotton balls moistened with warm water to wash. Dry thoroughly. Then apply
lotion or cornstarch if needed. If you use powder, don't shake it around loosely
in the air.
DIAPER CARE
The
automatic washer has lightened the seemingly endless task of diaper care. Even
the pre-soaking once so much a part of diaper care is no longer an absolute
necessity when you use an automatic washer, but your doctor may recommend you
pre-soak diapers if the baby develops certain types of diaper rash.
In some convenient place, probably the bathroom,
keep a covered 2-gallon plastic diaper pail (half-filled with water in which 2
tablespoons of borax has been dissolved if your doctor suggests it). Plastic
diaper pails are more satisfactory than metal containers because they won't
rust. You may also presoak soiled diapers in a solution made from one of the
commercial powdered products.
If diaper is soiled, shake or scrape stool off into toilet. Then flush it and
rinse stained place in the clean water which refills
the toilet. Drop the diaper into the pail.
It's a good idea to run the diapers through the rinse cycle of your automatic
washer first. Then wash them in hot water and detergent and rinse in the
washer's long rinse cycle.
A fabric softener in the final rinse cycle will add extra softness to the
diapers, but must be used with caution as it may cause a rash on some babies.
The heated circulating air of an automatic dryer helps reduce air-borne bacteria
and adds to the softness of the diapers. Line drying in the sunshine is
satisfactory, too.
An older baby's diapers may develop a strong ammonia smell. The reaction of
bacteria on the diaper and buttocks with the urea contained in urine causes this
strong smell. There are several ways of handling this.
If an ammonia rash develops, boil all diapers, 10 minutes every time they're
washed or use a diaper antiseptic in the final rinse water.
It is usually necessary to do this only to the night diapers, because the day
diapers are not in contact with the baby's skin long enough to cause trouble.
In most cities and large towns, there usually are diaper services which lessen
the burden of diaper care. They do an excellent job of supplying diapers that
are properly washed and dried. Skin problems seldom develop from using diapers
washed by their methods.
DISPOSABLE DIAPERS
Using
disposable diapers is the ultimate method to end diaper drudgery. Today, more
and more mothers are discovering the everyday convenience and timesaving
qualities of the throw-away, flush-away diapers.
Disposable diapers are only used once, thus preventing a buildup of ammonia, a
prime cause of diaper rash and odor. Therefore, your baby is rash-free and
odor-free and you are free of washing and folding diapers.
These diapers are layers of soft, cloth-like material sandwiched between a
waterproof back-sheet which takes the place of plastic pants and a special
lining which serves to keep the baby dry. The moisture is sealed from skin and
clothing in the absorbent layers below.
To assure a proper fit, disposable diapers are available in various sizes and
thicknesses. They are more expensive than using diaper service, but this is
relative to how highly a young mother values her time.
DIAPER RASH
This
condition, which can make Baby extremely uncomfortable, results either from
ammonia formed by the action of bacteria on urine-soaked skin and diapers, from
acids in diarrheal stools, food sensitivities, bacterial infections, cosmetic
applied to skin, or preparations used to wash or soften diapers.
An ammonia rash is usually seen in older babies and is more widespread than a
diarrhea rash, often affecting the buttocks, groin, and lower abdomen.
If your baby shows any indication of a rash, change his diapers as soon as they
are wet or soiled, even during his sleep, unless this disturbs him so much that
he can't go back to sleep afterward. Don't use plastic or rubber pants. Put a
soaker pad under Baby.
The next step, if no improvement is noted, is to remove the diaper entirely and
expose the whole diaper area to the air. Remove his diaper, wash and dry the
skin, but don't apply any ointment. Put several diapers, an absorbent pad, and a
waterproof pad under him.
Let him lie like this, in his shirt and a short sacque, an hour or so several
times a day in a warm room. Change the diapers under him if they become wet or
soiled. Remove his diaper whenever he is taking a sunbath, too, but don't let
him get sunburned.
If the baby has an ammonia or pustular rash, in addition to caring for the
baby's diapers as directed, washing Baby's little behind with a soap containing
hexachlorophene tends to cut down the bacterial flora that's present. There are
also commercial lotions and ointments (use after washing diaper area) for these
types of rashes that have the same effect as the hexachlorophene soap.
Another method of clearing up diaper rash is to stop using regular diapers and
switch to the disposable diapers—at least until the rash is healed. By then, you
may be too spoiled to return to your old diapers.
If pustules appear on the diaper area or the rash fails to respond to treatment,
it may be due to a yeast infection. See your doctor. |