Natural Ways to Cure a Diaper Rash at Home

 

There are many natural ways to cure a diaper rash at home, and some can be done immediately to begin healing baby’s skin!

 

Disclaimer: This advice is not meant to replace medical attention. However, when babies get a particularly bad rash, we don’t always want to take them straight to the doctor’s office (nor is it always possible). Below are some at-home remedies to be used in conjunction with your baby’s regular health needs.

 

Also, this post contains an affiliate link. At no cost to you, if you click and purchase an item using my link, I will receive a small commission.

 

Whether it’s caused by a particularly acidic diaper, or some newly formed contact dermatitis, the rash is there.

 

And now that it has set up camp on your baby’s skin, it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere.

 

And it’s getter worse, fast.

 

While an OTC yeast infection cream might be necessary for some rashes, other rashes can rely on some at-home natural remedies (the best kind!) Below are a variety of options that can be combined to soothe and comfort your little one, as well as heal the rash.

 

dry dry dry

 

Do not let baby sit in a wet or dirty diaper.  The minute it’s soiled, change it. As wasteful as it seems, it’s not. It makes a big difference. Keeping baby dry!

 

less is more

 

Less is more. Keep baby pantless, if possible. The extra heat of layers trapping the diaper against their skin only exacerbates the rash.

 

go natural

 

Better yet, give baby a little bit of time au naturale.  If you can lay down a disposable absorbent pad, or even a waterproof mat, and let your baby air out, it will work wonders. A ceiling fan helps keep the skin cool.

 

say ‘no’ to moisture

 

Limit moisture. It’s tempting to give baby a pool to play in to “cool down” but this only works if you are meticulous in changing baby’s clothes and drying off immediately after. Do not let baby sit in a soaked diaper or dripping pants.

 

ditch baby wipes

 

Stop using baby wipes.  Sometimes the scent or even anti-bacterial properties of baby wipes (even the ones that say ‘natural’ on them) can irritate baby’s rash.  Instead, wet washcloths with cool water when you need to cleanse baby.

 

bottom balm for the win

 

Use baby balm after every diaper change.  But not just any diaper balm!  Regardless of what brand you buy, you will often see 3 “active ingredients” and they are: Zinc oxide, Lanolin, and Petrolatum.  If you have been using one and the rash is still present, switch to another leading ingredient. Zinc oxide isn’t too bad with preventing the rash, but once it comes, you need to pull out the Lanolin/Petrolatum. My favorite diaper cream of ALL time is Earth Mama Organic Baby Diaper Balm.

 

Note: if your baby does have contact dermatitis, layering an OTC yeast infection cream with a baby balm might be necessary.

 

avoid fragrances at all costs

 

Last but not least–avoid scented things: scented baby lotion, scented baby diapers, obviously scented baby wipes, etc…because often diaper rash skin is broken, and those scents will irritate the rash and sting baby. **Even if your baby doesn’t have a diaper rash, avoiding all added fragrances is really benefiical purely for non-tox reasons.**

 

Caution: even things that seem “natural” or scentless can still loaded with chemical fragrances or dyes. Check the full ingredient list (even of baby wipes!) before using them.

 

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What did I miss? Are there any other natural ways to cure a diaper rash at home? Comment below! Happy swaddling.

 

*Read next: A Review of Nursing Comfort Creams*