Diaper Rash Care & Non-Toxic Diapers
How to naturally care for babies diaper rash, avoid toxic treatments, and prevent it from happening
**This is not medical advice. Please consult your doctor or midwife for medical care**
First Diaper Rash
We do everything to avoid it and take such good care of our babies to prevent diaper rash from happening, but it still happens. As a new parent you are left questioning what to do to heal it and make it better. Some of the most well known creams and treatments are even unknowingly toxic on our babies delicate skin. Through experience as a new mother, I found natural ways to care for babies delicate bottoms.
Toxic Treatments
I was recommended to use many ointments and creams, that I found were extremely unhealthy and even contained toxic chemicals. Such ointments are largely marketed and well-known. I was even mailed free samples from these companies when I was pregnant.
Things I recommend avoiding:
Avoid PENATEN - This is a very commonly recommended product, but if you look at the ingredients it contains some chemicals that are known to be toxic. The company lists “Parfum” as a non-medical ingredient, which means they do not have to disclaim the fragrance that is used in the product. *1
Another synthetic ingredient they use is “Allantoin”, which is a known carcinogen. It is also not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding for mothers, so it should NOT be in a nappy cream for our babies delicate skin. *2
Avoid any diaper cream that has undisclosed fragrances or chemicals of concerns. Simply read the ingredients list and contact their company with questions about ingredients.
Naturally Caring For Diaper Rash
Here are some of the best ways I found to naturally care for our babies sore bottoms. Diaper rash is preventable, but sometimes it still happens! We can take steps to ensure we are caring for it in the healthiest ways possible.
Things I wish I knew as a new mother for diaper rash:
1. KEEP THE AREA CLEAN USING NATURAL WIPES
Keeping the diaper area clean is the number one way to prevent and heal diaper rash. We can do this by regularly checking and changing diapers. Clean the area using a NATURAL wipe. I recommend avoiding all wipes with fragrance (which can be irritating and toxic).
Use a dry wipe that you wet with just water, such as WHOOPSIE WIPES. You can also use organic cotton disposable wipes for diaper changes like the BLARA ORGANIC COTTON WIPES. This avoids all toxic chemicals in regular wet baby wipes. A reusable option would be to get organic cotton unbleached reusable cloths.
**When taking baths, avoid toxic soap, and choose more natural soap options. Babies do not need lots of soap either, we use warm water.**
2. NATURAL DIAPERS
The most natural option would be to choose a reusable organic cloth diaper. My top recommendation would be to use organic cotton cloth inserts and a organic cotton diaper cover. You can also use a natural organic wool cover, but it takes more care.
We use disposable diapers majority of the time for convenience. I recommend using a natural NON-TOXIC diaper. The disposable diapers are LESS toxic, but still not as natural as the cloth diapers. I recommend the following diapers:
Updated: ECO-BY-NATY DIAPERS - these are our favourite more natural diaper brand. You can get them on amazon and at Goodness Me. ** I no longer recommend these as they changed the materials (July 2022)**
NEST DIAPERS - these are a great more natural option for disposable diapers. They also have a line to show if the diaper is wet.
3. BREASTMILK AS A NATURAL HEALER
One of the most natural things you can use to prevent and heal diaper rash is Liquid Gold BREASTMILK. Simply put some on the clean area before putting on a clean diaper. You can also do Breastmilk BATHS, which are super soothing for baby.
4. NATURAL DIAPER CREAMS
I have found some more natural diaper cream options that we like. My favourite option is the EARTH MAMA ORGANIC DIAPER BALM. It is an organic soothing calendula diaper balm. NO petroleum, parabens or artificial fragrance. It is also EWG verified, with the lowest hazard rating possible. *3 Just apply a small amount at diaper changes as needed.
5. DIAPER-FREE, AIR TIME
Allow baby to be diaper free and air out the area as much as possible. Tummy time is the perfect time to let baby air out! I recommend using an organic cotton blanket or play Matt that you can easily throw in the wash for easy clean-up!
Take Aways:
Sometimes diaper rash can happen and the best thing we can do is be INFORMED and prepared. Always do your research when choosing products and do what you feel is best for your baby.
Please comment below what you found worked best for you and your family.
Love, Carlie
Sources:
*1 - https://www.penaten.ca/our-products/penaten-original-medicated-diaper-rash-cream/
*2 - https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/allantoin
*3 - https://earthmamaorganics.com/products/organic-diaper-balm