The all natural cure for diaper rash! 3 Steps to a Healthy Bottom (Spoiler: The Diaper is the Problem)

from huffpost.com

Diaper rash is a common affliction of babies. Some people think that cloth diapers are better - less chemicals, less plastic. Some people will argue that disposable are better - no moist surface against baby’s skin. It is probably true that some babies are better in some types of diapers. However, studies have show that diaper rash can be a serious problem, regardless of the type of diaper you use. No diaper is more likely (in general) to cause diaper rash.

So, you have a rash? Here’s what to do…

1. Get rid of the diaper
Diaper rash is caused by... diapers. Keeping a wet and soiled surface next to fragile skin is a recipe for irritation. Depending on the age and mobility of your baby, diaper free time can be a challenge. If the weather is nice, an old blanket on the lawn is a great place for fresh air and skin restoration. Depending on how easy to clean your floor is, you might want to confine baby to a pack-and-play for a while. No matter your solution, take the diaper off! Dry skin and fresh air will make a world of differnce (and hopefully not a pile of laundry).

2. Watch out for sneaky irritants
Your baby may be reacting to a number of things - detergent in the diaper, perfumes in the wipes, essential oils in the diaper creme. If at all possible, clean your baby with warm water and nothing else. For a small baby, this can mean a rinse in the bathroom sink. Fortunately, as babies get older their dirty diapers are less frequent and may only require a rinse in a tub once or twice a day. Using running water to clean a baby ensures that all of the waste is removed (sometimes very hard to do with baby wipes). It guarantees that you are not putting anything irritating on the baby, and minimizes the amount of wiping you need to do. It is not always practical to rinse the baby. So, if you are using wipes, use a “free” product - no dyes, no perfumes. Or considered getting some flannel wipes and using with water.

Here are some adorable cloth baby wipes on Etsy.

3. Apply a barrier cream
When the skin is red and irritated, you need to prevent waste from sitting next to the rash. There are a wide variety of ways to do this, and most parents have a favorite. There are many options. The gentlest ointments are Aquaphor and A and D, followed by the zinc ointments (like Desitin). The heaviest barriers are the “pastes” and provide a thick wall between the angry skin and the diaper.

These are the key steps to return your baby to the happiness and comfort. If this doesn’t work, it may be a yeast infectio (also known as candidiasis). That often requires a prescription cream - so it is worth having a health care practitioner check it out.

Good luck!

BeriBeri Quite Contrary
Advocate for Natural Health Care for Babies
Parent of Free Range and Slightly Neglected Toddlers
Promoting Preschoolers and Hot Glue Guns
Encouraging Gambling Kindergarteners