Is there any way besides baby powder to get my baby's skin to dry QUICKLY?

Question

I know I'm not supposed to use baby powder because it can get in her lungs, but the cream says not to put it on until her skin is dry, and that seems to take a really long time with just air-drying, and meanwhile I have a baby with no diaper on (which is kind of like a ticking time bomb.) Is there anything safe I can use to speed up the process? Or can I put the cream on when it's still just slightly damp?

I'm referring specifically to the diaper area (she doesn't have a rash, but I want to make sure she doesn't get one.)

OK, I'm not talking about when her skin is dripping wet. Towels get the skin MOSTLY dry, but if you actually pay attention there is still a little bit of dampness to it. What I want to know is, is it still OK to put the diaper cream on there with that slight dampness, and if not, is the anything else I can do?

Answer 1

Corn starch is much better than baby powder. Yes it is for baking and thickening gravy but is very effective. Corn starch absorbs and baby powder tends to make more of a paste that sticks to the skin. I usually apply diaper cream and put corn starch over the whole area. If the rash begins to seep to the point that the diaper cream won't even go on the skin, just use the corn starch until it dries up and then apply the cream. Also, sometimes it's not a diaper rash but candida and you should use an anti-fungal cream like Lotrimin instead of diaper cream, you can usually tell it's candida if the diaper cream isn't healing the rash. Good luck.

Answer 2

First off you are supposed to put baby powder in the diaper area anymore. That what our grandparents used to do. Pat the area dry do not rub! I know you say its a ticking time bomb but Dr.'s allsay you should allow your baby freedom from the diaper as much as you can give. I always drape the towel over my son while I rub lotion on his body. By the time I'm ready to put cream (desitan/ a& d, ..... any work well) he's usually dry. You could also put a blowdrier on cool air and low and blow dry the area. You want to keep dry areas dry (armpits/ under neck). Those are 2 places you can pat some baby powder on. Diaper Areas need the creams and their bodies you can put oil or lotion on. GL


OH and to JOY C. Some creams like A&D prevent Diaper Rashes! So you put it on all the time. Not just when you have a diaper Rash.

Answer 3

I have used the diaper rash cream when the baby was a little damp. It does stay on, but if you are using the cream to prevent the rash there is no need. One way that you can prevent diaper rash is to use baby oil in that area after properly wiping the baby after diaper change. I have a 2 month old baby girl and 2 boys(7&4). I find that the baby oil is the best thing and cheaper than the cream. Good Luck and Congrats!!!

Answer 4

You can put the cream on when it's still just slightly damp. I have done it a lot with my son because the thought of no diaper is a potential hazard. Just do a second diaper change about a 1/2 hour after even if she's not wet.

Answer 5

Never put powder, oil, cream, zinc ointment etc on damp skin. Pat it dry with a soft baby washcloth. Then put Petroleum jelly (vaseline or any brand) or baby zinc powder, or zinc ointment if you think a diaper rash is coming on. Otherwise just use vaseline at every diaper change. I have kids and this is what I did and they didn't get diaper rash. P.S. Air drying if very healthy and unlike boy babies, girls do not have this sensitivity to the air.

Answer 6

Every girl has wetness in that area. As long as you towel dry it is safe to put on the cream. My daughter had a lot of diaper rashes and this is what my doctor told me because I had the same concern.

Answer 7

First of all, all mother use baby powder. I don't know who told you not to use it. It isn't like you are putting it on the baby's face. Use a dry face cloth if you want her skin to dry faster. Mothers put diaper rash cream on just after wiping with wipes, it doesn't make a difference if it is damp or dry.

Answer 8

My son had a problem with CHAFFING when he was a baby. If I didn't put anything on him he would chaff,If I put a diaper on him when he was wet,he would chaff...I found this can of A&D ointment for diaper rashes.It looks kinda like a spray pump bottle and you can use it when they are wet, It really worked.My son is now 6 and I still have to put it under his sac after bath time.If the baby does get a rash that stuff will take it away in a few hours.I now swear by it.It blows Desitin and Balmex out of the water. Hope this helps

Answer 9

I'm confirming the lady who said cornstarch. We also use Burt's Bees diaper creme and, sometimes, the powder. But, the cornstarch is very cheap (less than $1/box if you buy generic) and it works fast and great. It's better than any cream I've ever used. We put it on as a preventative when we go on long car rides-even on my two year old who's potty-trained. It just keeps the whole area nice and dry.

Also, to dry the area faster, I take the clean diaper and use it as a make-shift fan. I fan my son's bottom until it's mostly dry and then put cream on. He thinks it's pretty fun too and it keeps him from putting his hands on his penis while I'm trying to put the clean diaper on him!

G-d bless you and baby!

Answer 10

That's great that you want to prevent a rash, but you may just be wasting time. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Some babies are lucky in that they don't get rashes easily. Mine is almost 3mos. and has never had the slightest trouble. I don't use wipes unless he's dirty. (as I've read wipes are often what causes babys skin to get irritated) I just pull off the wet diaper, sprinkle some baby powder(the kind w/corn starch in it) and stick on a new one. I've never had the need to put a cream on him, and won't unless he gets a rash.