How to Change a Diaper & Prevent Diaper Rash

To prevent diaper rash, it’s essential to keep your baby’s skin clean and dry. Here are some key tips:^1,2

Change diapers frequently: Moisture from a wet or soiled diaper can cause skin chafing. Urine can break down over time, producing irritating chemicals, and the digestive enzymes in stool can wear away at the skin. Changing diapers frequently can help prevent these issues.

You may not always know when your baby needs a change, so check diapers every two hours at least. For babies who have already developed diaper rash, you will need to check even more frequently to be safe.

Clean skin gently during changes: Use wipes that are free of alcohol and fragrance to avoid irritation. Alternatively, you can wash the skin with water and a gentle cleanser.

Coat skin with a layer of barrier paste:  Zinc oxide and petrolatum are both effective choices as far as main ingredients go, and fragrance-free products are best. If you notice the paste isn’t soiled, there is no need to rub it off during changes — simply add another layer on top. If you’re wondering, ‘should I use diaper cream at every change?’, the answer is yes. In general, there’s no such thing as too much diaper paste.

Choose a highly absorbent diaper: The more absorbent the diaper, the better it is at keeping the skin dry. However, super-absorbent diapers often don’t feel wet and can provide a false sense of security. Best practice is to continue frequent diaper changes — whether the diaper feels wet or not.

Leave breathing room: A loose-fitting diaper is less likely to rub against the skin, reducing the risk of irritation. Ensure you don’t fit diapers too tightly, especially overnight.

Even with careful attention, sometimes baby's delicate skin will still develop diaper rash. When that’s the case, there are steps you can take to mitigate discomfort. Similar to the preventative steps listed above, the key to healing diaper rash is keeping the area as clean and dry as possible to prevent further irritation and allow your little one to heal: ^1,2

1. Rinse baby’s bottom in warm water with a mild cleanser or just water alone. For severe rashes, use a squirt or spray bottle of water to rinse the area without rubbing.

2. Pat the skin gently and allow it to air-dry. Avoid rough cloths or wipes with alcohol or added fragrances.

3. Allow your baby to go without a diaper for a little while to let their bottom breathe. If you’re worried about a messy accident during that time, consider placing your bare-tushied little one on a large towel and having a few moments of playtime.

4. A note on cloth diapers: If you use cloth diapers, you may also be using rubber pants. However, rubber pants can trap moisture in the diaper area, so avoid them while your baby has a rash. Cloth diapers also tend to be less absorbent than certain disposable brands, so consider making the swap while your baby has a rash.
   

Diaper paste acts as a shield that safeguards the skin from the contents of the diaper. Applying a diaper rash treatment protects from further injury while creating an environment that allows the skin to heal. It will also help prevent friction from the diaper.¹

Apply your diaper paste, cream, or ointment of choice liberally with clean fingers at each diaper change to soothe and protect your baby’s irritated skin, especially at bedtime or when exposure to wet diapers may be prolonged.

Does diaper rash cream expire? Yes. Ingredients may lose efficacy over time or even become compromised and adversely affect your baby’s skin. Always follow expiration dates as printed on the packaging of the product you’re using.

If you’re taking precautions and the rash doesn’t seem to be getting better, it’s time to call your doctor. You may be dealing with a different type of rash or a skin infection. Signs of a skin infection may include a fever, blisters, pus draining from the rash, and a rash that remains or worsens after treatment. It’s also possible that the diaper rash is exacerbated by food allergies or another cause. Your pediatrician can help guide you and your little one in the right direction.^3,4

The process of how to put a diaper on a baby is relatively straightforward, but when you are doing so with an eye on diaper rash treatment and prevention, there are a few key things to keep in mind.

Step 1: Wash

The first step changing a diaper when diaper rash is present is to thoroughly cleanse baby’s delicate skin. Once you have removed their soiled diaper, you will need to make sure all traces of urine or stool have been cleaned away. If your baby is especially prone to recurrent diaper rash, you will want to cleanse the area with plenty of warm water in addition to using baby wipes.

Step 2: Dry

After you have ensured that all contaminants have been thoroughly washed away, you will need to make sure your baby’s bum is completely dry before replacing their diaper. This is because moisture makes diaper rash worse. Be sure to pat dry (not rub) and consider allowing your baby’s bottom to air dry for as long as possible for even better results.

Step 3: Protect

Whether you are diapering an infant or a toddler, it is just as important to protect your little one’s tender skin with a diaper rash barrier treatment.

Step 4: Replace

When you put a new diaper on your little one, be sure not to place it on too tightly, as friction will make diaper rash worse. Change your baby’s diaper often while they are suffering from diaper rash, even if the diaper doesn’t seem very wet or soiled.

It’s never easy to see your little one dealing with diaper rash, but know that you’re not alone. Over half of babies between 4 and 15 months of age will have a diaper rash at least once in a two-month period^.5 With your continued care and attention, along with a few practical steps, your baby should feel better soon.

1. Healthy Children, The American Academy of Pediatrics. Common Diaper Rashes & Treatments. Published 2024. Accessed February 10, 2025. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Diaper-Rash.aspx

2. Mayo Clinic. Diaper rash. Published 2024. Accessed February 10, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diaper-rash/symptoms-causes/syc-20371636

3. Cleveland Clinic. How To Get Rid of Diaper Rash. Published 2022. Accessed February 10, 2025. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/diaper-rash-remedies

4. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to treat diaper rash. Published 2025. Accessed February 10, 2025. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/itchy-skin/rash/treat-diaper-rash

5. Cleveland Clinic. Diaper Rash (Diaper Dermatitis). Published 2023. Accessed February 10, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11037-diaper-rash-diaper-dermatitis
   
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