Monsoon Baby Care: Damp, Fungal Rashes and Drying Clothes

Humidity keeps sweat from evaporating, and warm damp folds at the neck, thighs and groin are where fungal rashes start. Dry these areas properly after every bath and nappy change — patting, not rubbing.

A rash that is bright red, sharply edged and does not respond to normal barrier cream may be fungal and needs a doctor's opinion rather than a stronger cream from the shelf.

Wetness sits against skin longer in humid weather. Shorter gaps between changes and some nappy-free time each day do more for rash prevention than any product.

Let the barrier cream layer be thin and even. Piling it on traps moisture underneath.

Half-dry clothes smell and can irritate skin. Dry indoors near a fan rather than in a closed room, and finish anything that feels faintly damp with an iron or a few minutes in a dryer.

Store clothes only when fully dry. A cupboard in monsoon is a good place for mildew to start.

Humidity means anything left wet stays wet. Let bottles, teats and pump parts air-dry completely on a clean rack before storing, and keep the rack somewhere with moving air.

The rains bring mosquitoes, and dengue and malaria are seasonal realities in much of India. Nets over the cot and pram are the safest protection for young babies.

Check the label age limits before using any repellent on a baby, and ask your paediatrician what is appropriate for their age.