Use warm water and a soft cloth instead of commercial wipes

Clean the diaper area with plain warm water and a soft washcloth or cotton pads instead of commercial baby wipes. This eliminates potential chemical irritants while still keeping the skin clean.

Why It Works

Many baby wipes contain fragrances, alcohol, preservatives, or other chemicals that can irritate already-damaged skin. The AAP notes that plain water cleansing is the gentlest option for babies with active diaper rash. Even wipes labeled "sensitive" or "fragrance-free" may contain ingredients that aggravate irritation in some babies. Plain water removes urine and stool effectively without adding chemical exposure.

Tips

• Pat the area dry gently with a separate soft cloth -- do not rub
• A peri bottle or squeeze bottle filled with warm water makes rinsing easy and hands-free during changes
• Once the rash has resolved, you can reintroduce wipes; choose fragrance-free, alcohol-free varieties
• If soap is needed for a particularly soiled diaper, use a small amount of mild, fragrance-free cleanser and rinse thoroughly
• Avoid scrubbing or using textured cloths on rash-affected skin