If your baby has a diaper rash, you may be wondering what you can do to help relieve their discomfort. You may have heard that a baking soda bath can help, but you may be wondering how to do it. This article will explain how to give your baby a baking soda bath for diaper rash.
Diaper rash is a common cause of irritated skin on your baby’s bottom. When diapers are not changed frequently enough and a wet diaper remains in contact with your baby’s skin for a prolonged period of time, a diaper rash can develop.
The moisture and friction combination from the baby’s diaper can be a recipe for disaster.
You may notice red, inflamed skin on your baby’s bottom, genitals and thigh area. Your baby will probably be super fussy or cry a lot during diaper changes.
Luckily, there are a ton of simple remedies for this including air drying, changing your baby’s diaper more frequently, diaper cream or ointment. There’s also a natural solution of baking soda bath for diaper rash!
You probably already have some on hand, so let’s learn how to use this easy, at home treatment.
How Can Baking Soda Help Diaper Rash?
Baking soda is a natural product that can help to soothe and heal diaper rash. When added to a warm bath, it can help to relieve pain and itching.
The Benefits of Baking Soda For Diaper Rash
Baking soda is easy to find, it should be readily available in your local grocery store.
Baking soda is very inexpensive.
It’s an easy solution, likely you are going to be bathing your baby anyway so its very quick to add this into your bath time routine.
Baking soda may be a better alternative for babies with sensitive skin, because unlike other creams or ointments with unknown ingredients or additives, this solution only has one ingredient!
Sometimes babies will have a diaper rash while teething, and this can be a soothing solution for them.
Steps for Making A Baking Soda Bath For Diaper Rash
1. Fill the bathtub or infant tub with enough warm water to cover the infected area and add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda, making sure it’s fully dissolved.
2. Soak the baby in the tub for 10-15 minutes.
3. Rinse off the baby with clean cool water.
4. Pat dry the baby’s bottom with a clean towel.
I do have a couple of tips and tricks that will make giving them a bath easier if your baby hates bath time.
How Fast Do Baking Soda Baths Treat Diaper Rash?
Please note that baking soda baths are not effective immediately but as long as there are no adverse reactions to the baking soda bath you can continue this treatment in the bath until the diaper rash clears up.
Can You Sprinkle Baking Soda On Diaper Rash?
It is not recommended to sprinkle baking soda directly onto your baby’s skin as diape rash treatment. If you want to try baking soda as a treatment for diaper rash without a full bath, try making a mixture of 1 teaspoon baking soda and water in a cup. Apply this mixture to a towel and wipe the affected area. Make sure to rinse it with water and pat dry.
When Should You Use Baking Soda Baths For Diaper Rash?
When you notice the diaper rash you can start to treat it right away. Along with the other remedies mentioned, air drying, ointment, etc, you can also add the baking soda bath. If you notice your baby’s diaper rash is not improving please contact your baby’s doctor or medical provider.
Which Baking Soda Should You Use?
It really does not matter what brand you purchase or have on hand. There are no ingredients that make one brand better than the other. Just make sure you are not using baking powder as opposed to baking soda.
Baking Soda Baths For Bleeding Diaper Rash
Seeing blood on your baby’s bottom on in thier diaper can be frightening as a parent. The good news is that you can still use a baking soda bath as treatment. Soak your baby’s bottom in the warm water bath with no more than 2 tablespoons of dissolved baking soda.
Risks and Considerations
It may be tempting to add more baking soda into the bath because you want to give your baby relief as quickly as possible but don’t.
Too much baking soda can be absorbed into the skin and cause an imbalance between sodium and potassium levels in your baby’s blood. This is called alkalosis and can lead to dehydration.
If you are concerned about your skin sensitivity and baking soda, start by adding a small dose of baking soda and working your way up to 2 tablespoons.
If your baby has other symptoms besides a diaper rash like fever, diarrhea, vomiting please notify your child’s doctor or medical provider right away!
Treating diaper rash with a baking soda bath is an effective and inexpensive way to soothe and heal your baby’s skin. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can provide your baby with relief from diaper rash quickly and easily.
