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Does applying baby powder prevent diaper rash when your baby is having alot of diarhhea diapers?

I'm pregnant and also an infant caregiver. All of the babies in my care just have baby wipes provided by parents, but no baby powder. Does applying baby powder help prevent the moisture that contributes to diaper rash and sore bums? Where I work we are required to change every 2 hours so it's not because they aren't getting changed...in case anyone was going to imply that they don't get changed enough.

Public Comments

1. I'm not really sure but i have never used baby powder on my son only once and he broke put in a rash from the perfume
2. No but a good thick diaper rash medicine will or even just plain old vasaline. Powder allows moisture to reach the skin and sit is bad for the lungs. But vasaline gives a protective barrier between the skin and the diaper and everything in it.
3. no, powder is not recommended. if you are concerned about preventing diaper rash, a cream that blocks is your best bet. i swear by desitin. not the clear desitin, the white cream. also, make sure the baby's bottom is totally dry after wiping and before the cream. that helps, too.
4. nope
5. yes because the powder acts like a spong and draws any moisture away from the skin. you want to use just plain baby powder, no perfumes or dyes or anything. that is mainly the only thing that helps with a diaper rash with my duaghter and you can tell by a couple of changes that it starts to get better and better.
6. Use vaseline. It will provide comfort for the baby.
7. While yes it may help with a basic diaper rash if it is a yeast infection it can make it much worse. Also powder is dangerous as it is inhaled by the baby and does damage to their lungs so it is better if you have to use the powder to use the role on powder or lotion that turns to powder so it doesn't get into a babies lungs. When I worked in daycare we weren't allowed to apply anything, not ointment or powder or anything like that without a note from the Dr. Another note about baby powder is it can increase cancer and infection risks for females. If a baby has a rash try asking mom for a letter from the Dr stating what to use and they supply what the Dr wants put on them. Change diapers every hour when there is a bad rash to make sure baby isn't sitting in a wet diaper.
8. Balmex or Desitin are better because they contain ingredients that act as a barrier to keep skin dry and protected from wet diapers and the acid in urine and poop. The baby powder just helps soak up the liquid.
9. I don't use powder to prevent the rash. My son normally gets rashes when teething or excessive diarrhea. I use pampers and change often to try to prevent the rash. I was advised against powder b/c of the history of asthma in the family and the powder MAY cause respiratory issues.
10. I would say as some others have said to use vaseline, or maybe even a diaper rash cream, but vaseline more. My ped has always recommended that to me. and if their is a rash already, he always says to use the vaseline over the diaper rash cream to form a protective barrier.
11. Actually, baby powder has been shown to be carcinogenic, so I never used it. it has talcium rock which can cause respratory problems and cancerous problems in girls. My daughters doctor told me not to use baby powder, especially on girls. Because it can get into places and make them sore. Also, babies that inhale the powder, can cause damage to their lungs. Causing breathing problems.