by Coleen Smith posted in Parenting

Between the heat, sweat, swimming, and splashing, summer is prime time for serious diaper rash and we have had it BAD this season. When my 16-month daughter mysteriously wakes up screaming, it?s so heartbreaking when I go to change her diaper and see her red, raw little bottom.

Fortunately, after an on-and-off battle over the past few months, I?ve learned some great strategies for both comforting my little lady and getting the rash under control quickly. Here are my tried-and-true tips for soothing your little one when diaper rash is at its worst:

Start with a bath. While this may seem counter-intuitive since moisture is often the culprit that started the rash, giving your baby a bath helps soothe their skin and distract them from the pain -- IF you get the temperature right. Be sure to go quite a bit cooler than you normally would because their skin is obviously overly sensitive. Adding a few shakes of baking soda will help neutralize the acids that may have contributed to the rash. Stay at home. When my little one wakes up with a bad rash, I clear our social calendar and plan to stay home for the majority of the day so she can go diaper-free whenever possible. Car seats, heat, and tight clothing can all aggravate a burning bottom. Not to mention if your little one is anything like mine, she is sure to be in a DOOZY of a mood and I?d much rather deal with that at home than at the park or the library.
Soft, softer, softest. While at...