Your baby cries when you’re wiping her bum. Then you notice the red, swollen,  bumpy rash on her skin. What triggers that diaper rash to appear?

Your baby’s skin is brand new to the world. With everything from urine and feces to a chafing diaper against her bum, she’s bound to develop some irritation down there. With newborns having several dirty diapers a day and older babies pooping without it being noticed for a while, diaper rash is bound to occur at one point or another. 

The good news is, diaper rash is easy to treat, and it can start responding to treatments right away. Putting a few natural ingredients together, you can create your own diaper rash home remedies. Or, you can rely on a great product like Organic Pharmacy Diaper Balm or Mini Bloom’s Toot Toot Balm which delivers the same natural ingredients, without toxic additives.

Here are six effective all-natural remedies for diaper rash you can turn to in a pinch:

 

1. Diaper cream

 

The Organic Pharmacy diaper rash cream packs several herbal extracts into one non-toxic formula, so you can skip the DIY and grab their cream when you’re crunched for time. With aloe vera, echinacea extract, lavender essential oil and chamomile essential oil, this mess-free, lotion-like cream moisturizes your baby’s bum, reduces inflammation and redness, kills bacteria and promotes healing. It’s free of synthetic ingredients, parabens, sulfates and other toxins, so you can feel guilt-free using it over and over again after each diaper change to prevent future rashes.

The Mini Bloom Toot Toot Balm will keep your little one’s bottom feeling fresh, comfortable, and free from irritation. This super rich formula harnesses the powers of Zinc Oxide and Shea Butter to instantly calm and soothe inflamed skin, and provide a thick barrier of protection against diaper rash.

 

Organic Pharmacy Diaper Balm

 

$45

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Mini Bloom Toot Toot Balm – Set of 2

 

$35

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2. Baking soda

 

Baking soda is a highly alkaline form of salt that can neutralize the bacteria and acidity in a diaper rash caused by your baby staying too long in a poopy diaper. Poop is acidic and contains bacteria, so it quickly irritates an infant’s sensitive skin. Baking soda alkalizes the infected site, kills bacteria, lowers inflammation and reduces redness. 

Using baking soda to cure a bad diaper rash

 

• Soothe your baby’s bottom in a bowl of lukewarm water mixed with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. This quickly kills bacteria and neutralizes the pH of your baby’s skin. 
• Let your baby’s bum soak in the baking soda solution for 3 or so minutes. It shouldn’t cause stinging unless there is open skin. If your baby seems to enjoy it, let her get relief for a couple more minutes. 

 

Always moisturize afterwards

 

Baking soda has a drying effect on the skin, so the next step is to apply a moisturizing salve. Adequate hydration is needed for the affected skin to heal, so continue applying a natural moisturizing agent after each diaper change thereafter. Thicker salves work well for protecting the rash against chaffing against the diaper, which delays healing. 

 

3. Apple cider vinegar

 

While poopy diapers tend to result in skin that’s excessively acidic, sitting too long in a wet diaper can cause the skin to get too alkaline. Skin that’s excessively alkaline is dry and easily irritated. 

• Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a lukewarm bowl.
• Soak your baby’s bottom for up to 10 minutes.
• Rinse well with water and pat dry gently.
• Follow up with a moisturizing salve or cream. 

 

4. Coconut oil with lavender essential oil 

 

Since coconut oil is solid at room temperature that’s easy to apply to your baby’s bum after each diaper change with minimal mess, compared to other oils. In its unrefined, extra-virgin form, coconut oil is filled with therapeutic compounds for your baby’s skin and it can help treat a diaper rash. The lauric and capric acid in coconut oil kill bacteria and provide moisture. Meanwhile, the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil energize the healing process for skin cells by fueling their mitochondria. 

Lavender essential oil is one of the gentlest essential oils on skin, and it’s even safe for babies (in diluted form). Combining lavender oil with coconut oil adds additional hydration and antimicrobial activity. Lavender oil also contains medicinal compounds that activate and accelerate the regeneration of skin tissue and the laying down of more collagen. Given that lavender oil has a healing effect in virtually every skin condition, from burns to acne, it’s no surprise that it helps with diaper rash, too.

Lavender diaper rash salve recipe

 

• Measure out and melt ¼ cup of extra-virgin coconut oil. 
• Add 1 drop of organic, 100% pure lavender essential oil to the coconut oil.
• Mix well in a small bowl.
• After the mixture is well incorporated, place it into a glass jar, canister or tuperware for storage. If you use the diaper rash cream frequently, 

 

5. Non-nano zinc oxide

 

Zinc oxide has traditionally been used in sunscreen to act as a barrier between UV rays and skin. It’s also used in conventional diaper rash creams to protect healing skin against the inside of a diaper. 

The problem with zinc oxide is that it contains nanoparticles. These are harmful because they easily and quickly seep in through the pores of your skin and enter your bloodstream. “Nano” refers to the size of the particles the zinc oxide is made up of, and nanometers are extremely small. Non-nano zinc oxide is made with much larger particles, and it can act as a barrier on your baby’s skin against her diaper. You can find some diaper rash creams made with non-nano zinc oxide and other safe ingredients, or you can make your own diaper rash cream by combining zinc oxide powder with coconut oil, shea butter or another base that is safe and healing for your baby’s skin.

 

6. Pure aloe vera juice 

 

Aloe vera juice is an alkalizing, cooling and healing ointment you can use to help relieve a painful rash. Not the type of aloe vera gel you put on after a sunburn, but the drinkable aloe vera juice in its 100% pure form, with no added ingredients. It’s a little runny, but you can apply it the same way you would apply breastmilk, by dabbing the aloe vera juice on with your fingers or a soft cloth.

Aloe vera juice is antibacterial, moisturizing and nourishing, with antioxidants that promote healing. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can take the pain and burning sensation out of a bad diaper rash. To boost the benefits of aloe vera juice, add 1 drop of lavender essential oil to 1 teaspoon of aloe vera juice and mix well before applying to the rash.

Diaper rash cures that are non-toxic and effective

Natural remedies are able to address the root issue behind a bad diaper rash, such as imbalanced pH levels or bacterial infection. Find what works best for your baby and use it after each diaper change to prevent future diaper rashes. Be sure to see your child’s pediatrician if the rash worsens or if you see blisters in the diaper area.

Continue exploring

 

• A guide to the best baby products month by month
• Nasiba Adilova’s Tot 10 New Mama Essentials