When you go to change your baby’s diaper and find their bum covered with a diaper rash it can be an upsetting discovery. Often the skin looks so irritated and uncomfortable that you are eager to try anything that might provide soothing comfort to baby’s sensitive skin. Sometimes a quick slab of a quality diaper rash cream is all it takes to clear it up. However sometimes diaper rashes can be stubborn and difficult to eliminate. Those persistent and/or frequent diaper rashes often require a little extra care beyond diaper rash cream. Here are a few suggestions to try:
Nakie Time – Let’s face it, what baby/toddler doesn’t want to be naked?!? Let them go diaper free to get fresh air and keep the irritated skin nice and dry. You’ll probably want to do nakie time when baby is unlikely to poop. So if you know baby’s pooping patterns plan accordingly for nakie time. Or watch them carefully for signs of needing to poop and rush them to the bathroom as needed (you can even do this with wee ones). Pee is a bit trickier to time (or observe cues) so you might consider having baby on a towel or other easy to clean surface during nakie time.
Breasmilk – Breastmilk really is the magical cure-all! Simply express some breastmilk and cover the affected area with it. Allow bum to air dry.
Strip Your Cloth Diapers – There might be some build up , residue, or bacteria on your cloth diapers that baby’s skin is reacting to. Doing a heavy-duty stripping can help eliminate any irritants contained in your diapers. You might consider adding a few drops of tea tree oil or grapefruit oil to your wash as both have anti-bacterial/anti-fungal properties.
Tea Tree Oil – Tea Tree Oil is a definite must-have item in your medicine cabinet because of its diverse and plentiful uses including treatment of diaper rash. All you need to do is mix a few drops in a palm sized amount of a carrier oil (such as olive oil) and apply to baby’s skin.
Change Baby More Frequently – Some babies have extra sensitive skin and need to be changed more frequently than normal.
Examine Diet – Sometimes diaper rash can be an expression of something internally disagreeing with baby (as opposed to an external topical irritant) so examining babies diet might help identify the source of the irritant. For example when oranges were in season and soooo delicious we over-indulged in their sweet juiciness and baby got a fierce diaper rash. Ouch! Sometimes new foods can irritate baby’s bum too so be aware as you introduce new foods into your baby’s diet.
Change Laundry Detergent – There are many great options to choose from when it comes to cloth diaper friendly laundry detergents. Experiment a bit to see what works best for your baby’s skin.
Revamp your Stash – This is a last-resort ‘I have tried everything and my baby’s butt is still constantly bright red’ option. Sometimes certain fibers simply don’t agree with your baby’s skin. I have a friend who battled intense and persistent diaper rashes with her son until she finally decided to sell her existing stash and invest in some new fluff. Viola, no more diaper rash!
What’s your secret weapon against stubborn diaper rash? Would love to hear some more useful tips! 🙂
-Sarah
