Diaper rash. It’s a pain in the butt. For you and obviously baby. Many things can cause diaper rash, and unfortunately, some babies experience diaper rash more frequently than others. But the good news is that there are some things that you can do to naturally prevent your baby from getting diaper rash.
Not Sure What Diaper Rash Is?
Diaper rash is a red and bumpy rash on your baby’s bum. Sometimes it’s very mild and other times, it can become very severe. It can also spread to the baby’s legs and lower back and even bleed in more extreme cases. Yikes! Luckily, extreme cases are completely avoidable. Unfortunately, though, diaper rash is something that almost all babies experience at some point or another.
What Causes Diaper Rash?
Diaper rash isn’t caused by just one thing. It could be one of many things or even several issues at once causing the rash. First of all, babies have very sensitive skin, so the slightest irritation can cause havoc to their backside. Mostly the culprits are:
- chafing of the diaper
- urine
- stools (and diarrhea)
- chemicals or fragrances in diapers, wipes, or laundry detergent
- something baby ate
- yeast infection
Fortunately, there are things that you can do to prevent it and/or take care of it yourself. Let’s get to the bottom of it. 😉
1. Use Earth Mama’s Organic Diaper Balm
One of the things you learn when diapering a baby is to apply a barrier between baby’s bottom and the diaper. Why is that? The baby’s skin is super sensitive, and if you repeatedly don’t place a barrier between the two, it quickly causes baby’s booty to become irritated and develop a diaper rash. No fun. But which barrier (bottom balm) should you choose?
I have tested tons of different bottom balms on babies’ bums over the years as a postpartum doula. My favorite, hands down, is the Organic Diaper Balm from Earth Mama. This stuff is super gentle for the most sensitive skin but extremely effective for the worst diaper rash.
Did you know that the diaper balm or diaper cream that you are using could be the cause or contributing factor to your baby’s diaper rash? Yup, it’s true! Several on the market contain harmful ingredients like artificial preservatives, parabens, artificial fragrances, petroleum-based ingredients, and more toxic chemicals.1,2 No thanks!
Earth Mama’s Organic Diaper Balm is made with organic olive oil infused with a proprietary blend of naturally antibacterial and antifungal organic herbs, shea butter, and pure essential oils. It soothes thrush, itchy bug bites, scrapes, chickenpox, rashes, and burns.
It has also been clinically tested, is safe to use with cloth diapers, and is USDA Certified 100% Organic. I love how it protects against diaper rash but also battles against preexisting rashes too. And (of course) I love that it’s natural. It’s no wonder that it’s Earth Mama’s #1 best-selling salve. This stuff is magic.
2. Have Baby Be Diaper-Free
Too much moisture and chaffing can really cause babies’ booties and inner thighs to develop a rash. One of the best things that you can do is to let everything air out. Consider taking baby’s diaper off and letting him hang out in the nude. This will help things breathe and heal.
3. Change Diapers Frequently
When baby sits in a dirty or wet diaper for too long, a diaper rash will probably appear soon. It’s no secret that if skin stays wet, it will become irritated, especially with urine and/or stool. Even more so if baby has diarrhea. The acids in the stool can really cause the skin to become inflamed. Remember, clean and dry with a balm barrier are your first go-to tips to help avoid diaper rash.
Note: It’s common for babies to get diaper rashes once they sleep through the night since they are sitting in their diaper for a longer period of time than normal. This is when you should consider switching to an extra absorbent overnight disposable diaper or double or even triple the cloth liner in a cloth diaper.
4. Switch Diapers
Something that parents do not even consider is the diaper being the issue. If your baby wears disposable diapers, you need to remember that there are chemicals and fragrances inside of them. That’s how they can hold all of that urine and stool and make a blue line so that you can see when it’s time to change them. All disposable diapers are made of plastic and have chemicals in them. Some brands have more than others, but they all have it.
If your baby has more sensitive skin and things aren’t getting better, you may consider switching to cloth diapers or a more natural disposable diaper.
5. Switch Laundry Detergent
If you are already using cloth diapers, it could be the laundry detergent that is bothering your baby’s backside. Be sure your laundry detergent is free of dyes, fragrances, and harsh chemicals. Switch to a gentle, diaper-safe detergent.
6. Switch to Cloth Wipes
Not only do disposable diapers have chemicals, but so do disposable wipes. Most wipe solutions contain artificial fragrances and other toxins that can cause skin irritation. If your baby is sensitive to those chemicals, use cloth wipes. You can even make your own wipes, which are easy to make!
7. Watch What They Eat
Another thing that could be causing your baby’s diaper rash is the food that he is eating. Ask yourself if there has been a recent addition to his diet. Something might not be agreeing with his little tummy. This is why family members and friends should not be giving your baby any new foods without your knowledge or permission—especially foods with certain grains, sugar, gluten, and processed foods. It could be a real pain in the butt for both of you later.
Here’s to happier babies and healthier tushies!
